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Futmetrix Verdict
100
FT
Sun, Oct 25
Barcelona
1-2
Real Madrid
⚡ Intensity
68
⚖️ Balance
42
🏆 Stakes
100
🎲 Upset
60
Mbappé breaks El Clásico late
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
S. McTominay (M. Politano) 17'
HT
Lorenzo Lucca 46'
56' Domenico Berardi
K. De Bruyne 57'
67' Ismael Koné
73' ↓ L. Lipani ↑A. Fadera
↓ M. Politano ↑David Neres 76'
79' Ismael Koné
79' Ismael Koné
81' ↓ J. Doig ↑F. Cande
81' ↓ A. Lauriente ↑A. Ghion
↓ L. Lucca ↑N. Lang 82'
↓ S. Lobotka ↑B. Gilmour 82'
↓ M. Olivera ↑L. Spinazzola 89'
↓ S. McTominay ↑A. Vergara 89'
90' ↓ D. Berardi ↑N. Pierini
90' ↓ A. Pinamonti ↑L. Moro
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Sassuolo
Goalkeepers
Stefano Turati 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Sebastian Walukiewicz
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Filippo Romagna
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Tarik Muharemović 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
2
Tackles
62%
Duel Win %
Josh Doig 
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
Midfielders
Ismaël Koné 
FRIENDLY FIRE
Red Card
Mistake
Red Card
Mistake
3
Fouls
6
Rating
Luca Lipani
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
73
Total Mins
73
Entry
Daniel Boloca
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Forwards
Domenico Berardi 
NPC
89
Minutes
89
Minutes
17%
Pass Acc
6.9
Rating
Andrea Pinamonti 
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
5
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Armand Laurienté
LATE SHIFT
9
Late Mins
9
Late Mins
81
Total Mins
81
Entry
BENCH
Giacomo Satalino 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Gioele Zacchi
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Arijanet Murić
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Filippo Missori
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Fali Candé
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
9
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Edoardo Pieragnolo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jay Idzes
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Andrea Ghion
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
9
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Cristian Volpato
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Alieu Fadera
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
17
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Samuele Mulattieri
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Luca Moro
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
1
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Agustin Alvarez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Nicholas Pierini
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
1
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Napoli
Goalkeepers
Alex Meret
PROVOCATEUR
1
Fouls Won
1
Fouls Won
1
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Defenders
Giovanni Di Lorenzo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Amir Rrahmani
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
2
Tackles
71%
Duel Win %
Juan Jesus 
MAGNET
90
Activity
90
Activity
84
Passes
6
Duels
Mathías Olivera
NPC
89
Minutes
89
Minutes
34%
Pass Acc
6.9
Rating
Midfielders
Stanislav Lobotka
MAGNET
73
Activity
73
Activity
69
Passes
4
Duels
Matteo Politano 
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
1
Key Passes
7
Rating
André-Frank Zambo Anguissa
MAGNET
77
Activity
77
Activity
66
Passes
11
Duels
Kevin De Bruyne 
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
Scott McTominay
PROVOCATEUR
6
Fouls Won
6
Fouls Won
8
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Forwards
Lorenzo Lucca
LATE SHIFT
8
Late Mins
8
Late Mins
82
Total Mins
82
Entry
BENCH
Nikita Contini
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Vanja Milinković-Savić
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Alessandro Buongiorno
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Pasquale Mazzocchi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Sam Beukema
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Luca Marianucci
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Leonardo Spinazzola
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
1
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Alessandro Zanoli
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Billy Gilmour
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
8
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Luis Hasa
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Antonio Vergara
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
1
Total Mins
Started
Entry
David Neres
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
14
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Giuseppe Ambrosino
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Noa Lang
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
8
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Walid Cheddira
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08/23/2025 | Sassuolo | 0 - 2 | Napoli | Serie A | MAPEI Stadium - Città del Tricolore |
| 02/28/2024 | Sassuolo | 1 - 6 | Napoli | Serie A | MAPEI Stadium - Città del Tricolore |
| 08/27/2023 | Napoli | 2 - 0 | Sassuolo | Serie A | Stadio Diego Armando Maradona |
| 02/17/2023 | Sassuolo | 0 - 2 | Napoli | Serie A | MAPEI Stadium - Città del Tricolore |
| 10/29/2022 | Napoli | 4 - 0 | Sassuolo | Serie A | Stadio Diego Armando Maradona |
| 04/30/2022 | Napoli | 6 - 1 | Sassuolo | Serie A | Stadio Diego Armando Maradona |
Sassuolo Win
Napoli Win
Draw
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Sassuolo
Napoli
Sassuolo
Napoli
Clinical Napoli Cruise Past Ten-Man Sassuolo at the MAPEI
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 44/100. Napoli’s tactical superiority and clinical finishing proved too much for a Sassuolo side now firmly entrenched in a relegation battle following a dominant display from the visitors.
The Opening Salvo and McTominay’s Impact
The match at MAPEI Stadium - Città del Tricolore began with an expected air of dominance from the visitors. An Intensity rating of 6.5 reflected a controlled but purposeful start by Napoli, who looked to exploit the gaps in a fragile home defence. The breakthrough arrived in the 17th minute when M. Politano delivered a pinpoint cross that found S. McTominay. The midfielder’s clinical finish silenced the home crowd and set the tone for the afternoon. Sassuolo struggled to retain possession, managing only 38%, as they were suffocated by a high press and the organizational leadership of Amir Rrahmani at the back, leaving the hosts searching for answers in a difficult opening phase.
De Bruyne Doubles the Advantage
As the second half progressed, the gulf in quality became even more apparent. With a Balance score of 2.2, the match remained largely one-sided as Napoli dictated the tempo through their superior midfield rotation. The decisive blow came in the 57th minute when Kevin De Bruyne showcased his world-class ability, finding the net to double Napoli's lead. The goal effectively killed the contest as a spectacle, allowing the visitors to sit back and manipulate the space. Sassuolo’s lack of a "Sniper" edge in the final third was evident, as they failed to test the Napoli goalkeeper despite a few desperate attempts from distance, while the visitors looked increasingly likely to add a third on the counter-attack.
Red Card Misery and Table Implications
The final chapter of the match was marred by frustration for the hosts. The Stakes score of 7.0 highlighted the desperation of Sassuolo's situation, and that pressure eventually told. In the 79th minute, Ismael Koné was sent off for a reckless challenge, reducing the home side to ten men and ending any faint hopes of a late comeback. Napoli spent the remaining minutes in total transition, keeping the ball with professional ease. For the hosts, the result leaves them 18th in the table and staring at a long relegation battle. Conversely, Napoli’s victory keeps them in the thick of the title race, proving they have the defensive grit and offensive flair required to sustain a challenge at the summit of Serie A.
Key Questions
How did the red card for Ismael Koné impact the match?
The red card for Ismael Koné in the 79th minute effectively ended Sassuolo's chances of a comeback, allowing Napoli to see out the win with ease.
What does this mean for Sassuolo's season?
Currently 18th with zero points, Sassuolo are firmly in a relegation battle. They must find defensive stability to avoid a long season of struggle.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Archive note: this preview was written after the match was played.
Napoli’s New Era Begins in Reggio Emilia
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 11/100. The season opener serves as a litmus test for Napoli's refreshed squad against a Sassuolo side looking to disrupt the hierarchy at the first hurdle.
The Setup
Serie A returns on August 23 at the MAPEI Stadium - Città del Tricolore, where Sassuolo hosts a high-flying Napoli. While the Stakes are technically low at 1.0 given it is Matchday 1, the pressure to perform is immediate. Napoli enters the fray with a Stars rating of 3.1, highlighted by the presence of S. McTominay and clinical finisher R. Højlund. The hosts must overcome a shaky Form guide (LWWLL) and find defensive Balance to prevent a blowout against a team currently sitting 3rd in the standings.
Key Battle
The tactical heart of this match lies in the midfield engine room. Napoli’s unit, anchored by the tenacity of S. McTominay, will look to dominate territory and supply balls to the front line. At the back, A. Buongiorno provides the steel required to neutralize Sassuolo's counter-attacking units. Without individual stars listed for the home side, their hope rests on a collective defensive shift to frustrate Napoli’s creative sparks.
Our Prediction
Napoli’s superior quality will eventually tell. Despite the early-season rust, the movement of R. Højlund will be too much for the neroverdi backline to handle. We expect a controlled performance from the visitors, resulting in a 0-2 victory that sets the tone for their European ambitions.