Napoli opened their Serie A title defense with a commanding 2-0 victory over newly-promoted Sassuolo, showcasing the immediate chemistry between Scott McTominay and new signing Kevin De Bruyne.
The champions needed just 17 minutes to find their breakthrough when McTominay rose to meet Matteo Politano’s cross, heading home from close range. The Scottish international, last season’s Most Valuable Player, picked up right where he left off, dominating midfield battles and even rattling the crossbar with a long-range effort later in the match.
De Bruyne made his Serie A debut memorable, though his 57th-minute goal came with an element of fortune. The Belgian’s free-kick from the left flank sailed over everyone in the penalty area, including Napoli’s towering striker Lorenzo Lucca, before bouncing past a hesitant Sassuolo goalkeeper.
The partnership between McTominay and De Bruyne proved particularly effective, with the two midfielders frequently interchanging positions in a fluid attacking system. Their understanding appeared well-developed despite having only trained together for a few weeks.
While Napoli celebrated a perfect start, AC Milan suffered disappointment in their season opener against Cremonese. Despite fielding veteran Luka Modric from the start, the Rossoneri fell to a surprising 2-1 defeat at San Siro.
Cremonese defender Federico Baschirotto emerged as the unlikely hero, first scoring the opening goal with a powerful header, then providing an audacious backheel assist for Federico Bonazzoli’s spectacular winner. The center-back, known for his muscular physique, has developed a reputation for helping smaller clubs achieve unexpected results.
Modric, who turns 40 next month, saw plenty of the ball during his 74 minutes on the pitch but couldn’t orchestrate a winning performance from his new teammates. The defeat marks a disappointing start to Massimiliano Allegri’s return to managing Milan after 14 years away from the club.
As the season begins, Napoli’s seamless integration of new talent suggests they’ll be strong contenders to retain their crown, while Milan face early questions about their ability to challenge for top honors.
