Napoli beat Sassuolo 2-0 as De Bruyne debuts and McTominay scores

Napoli launched their title defence in confident fashion, beating Sassuolo 2-0 on the road with Kevin De Bruyne making a momentous Serie A debut and Scott McTominay scoring the opener. De Bruyne struck from a left‑flank free kick midway through the second half, after McTominay had put the reigning champions in front in the 17th minute. The result also came with Romelu Lukaku sidelined for several months due to a thigh injury, leaving Lorenzo Lucca to lead the line as Napoli began life without their headline summer recruit’s first choice partner.

Napoli arrived at the Mapei Stadium with high expectations after a busy summer of recruitment designed to push their bid for a second consecutive Scudetto. De Bruyne, a free transfer from Manchester City, joined a midfield that already features McTominay and playmaker Lucca, while Lukaku’s injury forced Lucca into a more prominent attacking role early in the season. Conte was measured in his assessment, praising De Bruyne’s quick assimilation into Napoli’s environment while acknowledging the difficulties of repeating last season’s success. “He’s been very humble, attentive and intelligent,” Conte said, adding that the club signed him to...