The Campania coach is not fully satisfied with Napoli’s transfer business yet, since there are players he would have liked to sign but the club has been unable to bring in. At least for now, we will have to see what happens in the final hours of the transfer window. On the pitch, however, the debut was very convincing.
The opening fixture of the 2025–26 season came against Sassuolo, freshly promoted back to Serie A, still searching for identity and balance despite boasting an excellent attacking unit (Berardi, Pinamonti and Lauriente, players used to Serie A). Napoli took advantage of that uncertainty and immediately imposed their rhythm.
McTominay consistency
The first goal of the season for the Azzurri was scored - surprise surprise! - by Scott McTominay, last year’s Serie A Player of the Season. Conte has tailored a new role for him, one he worked on throughout the summer, using him as a false winger on the opposite side of Matteo Politano.
The goal came precisely from this tactical setup. Politano delivered a perfect cross from the right, and McTominay met it with a header that Turati had no chance of saving. From right to left, just as Conte had drilled into his side over the preseason. Shortly afterwards, the Scottish midfielder rattled the crossbar, narrowly missing out on a brace: what an incredible start would have been!
Napoli’s early lead split the match in two and built a wall that Sassuolo were unable to break. The visitors had only one clear chance, a left-footed strike from Domenico Berardi, who we can define without doubt a Neroverdi icon, which went just wide. Beyond that moment, Napoli controlled the tempo, rarely suffering and never taking real risks.
Late in the match, one of the Azzurri’s marquee signings sealed the victory: Kevin De Bruyne, probably one of the most exciting arrivals in Serie A despite his age, struck a venomous free kick (half cross, half shot) that deceived Turati and nestled into the net. The Belgian, who appeared short of peak fitness during the summer, immediately proved his class as soon as the competitive level rose. Napoli fans have already had the chance to celebrate him in blue.
It's all about Conte
Next up for Conte’s men is their home debut on Saturday evening against Cagliari, who opened their campaign with a 1–1 draw against Fiorentina thanks to a stoppage-time goal from Luperto. It will be another opportunity for Napoli to test themselves and to claim three points in front of their supporters.
The transfer market has not yet brought dramatic changes to the squad and it probably won’t (Dan Ndoye is already shining in the Premier League), but Napoli have Conte. With him on the bench, the team can rest easy.
Despite the presence of many big names, the real star of this Napoli side is still the coach, a serial winner capable of extracting the maximum from every player he leads.