Overview
- Scott McTominay opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a header from a Matteo Politano cross, registering the first goal of the 2025-26 Serie A season.
- Kevin De Bruyne marked his Serie A debut with a free-kick that went straight in from the left, and Opta noted he is Napoli's oldest outfield debutant in the three-point era.
- Sassuolo finished with ten men after Ismaël Koné was sent off for a second yellow card late on at the Mapei Stadium.
- With Romelu Lukaku sidelined for an estimated three to four months due to a thigh injury, Lorenzo Lucca led the line and Alex Meret started in goal ahead of new signing Vanja Milinkovic-Savic.
- Conte said he is still working on a formula to blend last season’s midfield with De Bruyne, while De Bruyne acknowledged he is adjusting to Serie A and McTominay said he looks to the Belgian for advice.