Napoli Player Ratings vs Sassuolo: New Season, Same McTominay

Napoli obtained their title-defending Serie A marketing campaign off to an ideal begin, beating Sassuolo 2-0 on the Mapei Stadium in spherical one. The Partenopei swept the top-flight newcomers apart en path to successful a sixth consecutive assembly between the edges.

Napoli dominated proceedings from the get-go however discovered clear-cut possibilities laborious to return by. Regardless of boasting over 60% possession within the opening 45 minutes, Antonio Conte’s facet created just one scoring alternative. Extra importantly, they seized it.

Matteo Politano teed up Scott McTominay for the aim. Final season’s Serie A MVP headed the ball previous Sassuolo goalkeeper Stefano Turati to place Napoli in entrance. Poetically, the person who impressed the Partenopei to their fourth Scudetto opened Napoli’s Serie A account this season.

Nonetheless, after McTominay’s Seventeenth-minute opener, Napoli centered extra on sustaining possession than placing daylight between the edges. In the meantime, Sassuolo appeared unable to discover a method to break down their guests’ defensive set-up.

The guests got here agonizingly shut to creating it 2-0 at first of the second half, but the put up saved Politano at bay. Just a few minutes later, marquee summer season signing Kevin De Bruyne scored in his Serie A debut, slotting dwelling a shocking free-kick.

There was by no means a means again for Sassuolo, even earlier than Ismael Kone’s expulsion late within the second half, which solely sealed the house facet’s destiny. Regardless of going a person up, Napoli didn’t do something noteworthy within the last third for the remainder of the match.

With out additional ado, let’s take a look at our Napoli participant rankings.

Napoli (4-2-3-1)

Alex Meret – 6/10

Untested for a lot of the sport, the Italian keeper solely needed to make one routine save towards the top of the primary half. Acquired away with a wobbly cease shortly after De Bruyne’s masterpiece.

Giovanni Di Lorenzo – 6/10

Defensively rock strong towards final season’s Serie B high scorer, Armand Lauriente, Di Lorenzo didn’t put his foot flawed. But, his defensive-oriented method took its toll on his attacking output.

Amir Rrahmani – 8/10

Unfazed by Andrea Pinamonti’s attacking presence, the Kosovo worldwide fared outstandingly on the coronary heart of Napoli’s backline, additional cementing his first-team standing.

Juan Jesus – 7/10

Equally dependable, the Brazilian center-back held up his finish of the discount, maintaining Sassuolo’s forwards at bay with composure and powerful positioning.

Mathias Olivera – 6/10

Domenico Berardi was once among the finest wingers in Serie A. Nonetheless, accidents and Sassuolo’s relegation derailed his rhythm, permitting the Uruguayan left-back to comprise him with relative ease.

Stanislav Lobotka – 6/10

Calm and picked up in possession, the diminutive midfielder dictated the tempo along with his signature motion in the midst of the park and sharp passing.

Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa – 7/10

With others taking the artistic duty, the Cameroonian had the liberty to concentrate on breaking apart play and protecting floor. That’s the place he excelled.

Scott McTominay – 9/10

The previous Manchester United star picked up the place he left off final season, showcasing his talismanic affect in entrance of aim. He almost doubled his tally late within the first half, just for the crossbar to disclaim him one other Serie A brace.

Kevin De Bruyne – 8/10

There was no flashy second from the Belgian wizard within the first half, however he demonstrated his class after the break with a well-taken free-kick to place the sport past Sassuolo’s attain.

Matteo Politano – 7/10

Following an lively begin to the sport and an early help for McTominay, the left-footed winger dropped off because the match wore on. Practically scored one himself, however the woodwork denied him.

Lorenzo Lucca – 5/10

The towering striker picked up a pointless yellow card following a irritating first half the place he typically minimize an remoted determine.

Substitutes

David Neres – 5/10

Billy Gilmour – 5/10

Noa Lang – N/A

Leonardo Spinazzola – N/A

Antonio Vergara – N/A