First win of the season for Conte’s side: at the Mapei Stadium, the Scottish midfielder scores with a header and the Belgian seals it from a free kick. Politano shines, Sassuolo toothless.
Napoli picked up right where they left off: winning and convincing. With the Scudetto stitched on their chest, Antonio Conte’s men opened the new season with a 2-0 victory over Sassuolo at the Mapei Stadium, thanks to decisive goals from their new leaders: Scott McTominay and Kevin De Bruyne.
The Azzurri never really suffered, controlling the tempo and dictating the match from the start. The opener came in the 17th minute, when McTominay headed home a perfect cross from Politano, once again proving himself a key man. The Scotsman, already a standout in the Supercoppa, nearly doubled his tally with a curling effort from distance that crashed off the crossbar just before halftime.
In the second half, Napoli kept pressing: first Politano rattled the post, then De Bruyne made it 2-0 in the 57th minute with a wicked free kick that caught Sassuolo’s defense and goalkeeper off guard. The home side’s response was timid, with Berardi and Pinamonti ineffective, before Koné’s red card in the 79th minute ended any remaining hopes for Fabio Grosso’s men.
Conte has reasons to be pleased: his team showed solidity, maturity, and quality right from the start. For Sassuolo, it was a night to forget, with very few positives to take away.
Sassuolo-Napoli 0-2: Match Report
Scorers: 17’ McTominay (N), 57’ De Bruyne (N)
Sassuolo (4-3-3): Turati 5.5; Walukiewicz 5.5, Romagna 5, Muharemovic 5.5, Doig 6 (81’ Candé N/A); Koné 5, Lipani 5 (72’ Fadera 6), Boloca 6; Berardi 5.5 (90’ Pierini N/A), Pinamonti 5 (90’ Moro N/A), Laurienté 5 (81’ Ghion N/A). Coach: Grosso.
Napoli (4-1-4-1): Meret 5.5; Di Lorenzo 6, Rrahmani 6.5, Juan Jesus 6.5, Olivera 6.5 (89’ Spinazzola N/A); Lobotka 6.5 (82’ Gilmour N/A); Politano 7 (75’ Neres N/A), Anguissa 6.5, De Bruyne 7, McTominay 7.5 (89’ Vergara N/A); Lucca 5.5 (82’ Lang N/A). Coach: Conte.
Referee: Ayroldi
Booked: Lucca (N), Berardi (S)
Sent off: Koné (S) 79’ for second yellow
