Serie A Regular Season - 1
Sassuolo 0 - 2 FT Napoli
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
↓ S. Lobotka ↑B. Gilmour 82'
↓ L. Lucca ↑N. Lang 82'
↓ M. Olivera ↑L. Spinazzola 89'
↓ S. McTominay ↑A. Vergara 89'
90' ↓ A. Pinamonti ↑L. Moro
90' ↓ D. Berardi ↑N. Pierini
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Sassuolo
Goalkeepers
S. Turati 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
S. Walukiewicz
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
F. Romagna
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
T. Muharemovic 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
2
Tackles
62%
Duel Win %
J. Doig 
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
Midfielders
Forwards
D. Berardi 
NPC
89
Minutes
89
Minutes
17%
Pass Acc
6.9
Rating
A. Pinamonti 
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
5
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
A. Lauriente
LATE SHIFT
9
Late Mins
9
Late Mins
81
Total Mins
81
Entry
BENCH
G. Satalino 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
G. Zacchi
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
A. Muric
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
F. Missori
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
F. Cande
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
9
Total Mins
Started
Entry
E. Pieragnolo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Idzes
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Ghion
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
9
Total Mins
Started
Entry
C. Volpato
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Fadera
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
17
Total Mins
Started
Entry
S. Mulattieri
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
L. Moro
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
1
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Alvarez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
N. Pierini
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
1
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Napoli
Goalkeepers
A. Meret
PROVOCATEUR
1
Fouls Won
1
Fouls Won
1
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Defenders
G. Di Lorenzo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Rrahmani
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
2
Tackles
71%
Duel Win %
Juan Jesus 
MAGNET
90
Activity
90
Activity
84
Passes
6
Duels
M. Olivera
NPC
89
Minutes
89
Minutes
34%
Pass Acc
6.9
Rating
Midfielders
S. Lobotka
MAGNET
73
Activity
73
Activity
69
Passes
4
Duels
M. Politano 
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
1
Key Passes
7
Rating
F. Anguissa
MAGNET
77
Activity
77
Activity
66
Passes
11
Duels
K. De Bruyne 
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
S. McTominay
PROVOCATEUR
6
Fouls Won
6
Fouls Won
8
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Forwards
L. Lucca
LATE SHIFT
8
Late Mins
8
Late Mins
82
Total Mins
82
Entry
BENCH
N. Contini
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
V. Milinkovic-Savic
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
A. Buongiorno
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
P. Mazzocchi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
S. Beukema
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
L. Marianucci
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
L. Spinazzola
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
1
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Zanoli
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
B. Gilmour
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
8
Total Mins
Started
Entry
L. Hasa
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. 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
G. Ambrosino
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
N. Lang
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
8
Total Mins
Started
Entry
W. Cheddira
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23/08/2025 | Sassuolo | 0 - 2 | Napoli | Serie A | MAPEI Stadium - Città del Tricolore |
| 28/02/2024 | Sassuolo | 1 - 6 | Napoli | Serie A | MAPEI Stadium - Città del Tricolore |
| 27/08/2023 | Napoli | 2 - 0 | Sassuolo | Serie A | Stadio Diego Armando Maradona |
| 17/02/2023 | Sassuolo | 0 - 2 | Napoli | Serie A | MAPEI Stadium - Città del Tricolore |
| 29/10/2022 | Napoli | 4 - 0 | Sassuolo | Serie A | Stadio Diego Armando Maradona |
| 30/04/2022 | Napoli | 6 - 1 | Sassuolo | Serie A | Stadio Diego Armando Maradona |
Sassuolo Win
Napoli Win
Draw
League Standings
League Standings
P: 28 GD: +42
P: 28 GD: +24
P: 28 GD: +14
P: 28 GD: +25
P: 28 GD: +17
P: 28 GD: +22
P: 28 GD: +13
P: 28 GD: +3
P: 27 GD: -2
P: 28 GD: -8
P: 27 GD: -1
P: 28 GD: -12
P: 28 GD: -6
P: 28 GD: -8
P: 28 GD: -21
P: 28 GD: -17
P: 28 GD: -12
P: 28 GD: -18
P: 28 GD: -27
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Clinical Napoli Cruise Past Ten-Man Sassuolo at the MAPEI
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 48/100. 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.
Napoli’s New Era Begins in Reggio Emilia
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 16/100. 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.