Antonio Conte's squad easily defeated Serie B champion Sassuolo 2-0 to begin their Serie A championship defense, with Scott McTominay scoring the first goal and Kevin De Bruyne scoring in his debut. Massimiliano Allegri's comeback to AC Milan had a rough start as the Rossoneri fell to newly promoted Cremonese 2-1 at home. Roma defeated Bologna 1-0 in Gian Piero Gasperini's debut as manager.
Last year, McTominay made a successful transfer from Manchester United to Napoli, winning Serie A player of the year. Continuing from where he left off the previous season, the 28-year-old headed Matteo Politano's cross from the right into the upper near corner in the 17th minute to give Napoli their first goal of the new season. De Bruyne blasted in a free kick that sailed over everyone in the vicinity before rebounding off the ground and into the far bottom corner.