Welcome to the Euro Recap, a fresh Sky Sports feature where columnist Adam Bate gathers the most compelling narratives from this week’s continental fixtures. This edition covers a whirlwind of action, from German super‑cup drama to the opening salvo of LaLiga, and even a surprise surge in Turkey. In Dortmund, the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup set the stage for a showdown that many assumed would showcase Harry Kane’s goal‑scoring pedigree after his 73‑goal haul for Bayern Munich last season.
Yet the opening strike of the 2‑1 triumph over Borussia Dortmund came not from the English striker but from the youthful winger Nathaniel Brown, who slotted the ball past the keeper in the first half. Bate went behind the scenes at Bayern to explore why the club now views Kane’s pursuit of the Ballon d’Or as a strategic priority. The former Tottenham forward, who joined the Bavarians from Eintracht Frankfurt, is technically a left‑back by trade, but the coach elected to deploy him in the No 10 slot ahead of fellow newcomer Ismael Saibari.
Brown’s contribution was a low‑driven ball into the corner that forced a defensive scramble, and he could have added even more to the scoreline. At the 43‑minute mark, Brown, 23, cut in from the left flank and fired a shot that brushed the far post.
The crowd roared as he surged forward again just after the hour, executing a clever turn that set up Kane, whose follow‑up glance sailed just over the bar. Post‑match, Kane lauded his new teammate, saying, “He delivered a superb performance. It isn’t his natural role, but he’s shown he can adapt – he’s intelligent, comfortable on the ball and sharp in tight spaces, as his finish proved.” Kane also described Brown as “a very versatile player,” noting that the winger had already found the net in pre‑season. However, Bate observed that Brown will need to become more involved in the build‑up, as he touched the ball only sparingly before his 28th‑minute goal and was often left out of passing sequences.
In other news, Vincent Kompany will need to manage Jamal Musiala’s recovery after the German prodigy suffered two collapses on the pitch. Saibari’s creativity may help ease the burden, while Brown’s flexible skill set could prove valuable when the Bundesliga kicks off next weekend. Turning to Spain, the two traditional powerhouses opened their LaLiga campaigns with contrasting victories. Barcelona demolished Elche 5‑0, with debutant Anthony Gordon providing two assists, while Real Madrid scraped a 2‑1 win at Espanyol thanks to a dramatic 90th‑minute goal.
The scorer, Carlos Espi, pounced on a loose ball in the box and was immediately embraced by Jose Mourinho, who was celebrating his second spell at the Bernabéu. Mourinho’s affection for Espi mirrors his admiration for former striker Joselu, whom he once dubbed “Joselu Junior” for his knack for crucial goals.
Adam Bate sat down with Espi’s teammate Tyrhys Dolan to discuss the English winger’s evolving role at the Catalan club. Both player and coach share daily breakfasts at the training ground, a routine that now includes the 6‑foot‑4 striker signed from Levante.
Though not the most high‑profile name in Madrid’s squad, Espi could become a pivotal weapon under Mourinho’s system, which favours a physically robust centre‑forward. Meanwhile, Barcelona’s attacking thrust has been spearheaded by the mobile Raphinha, who currently occupies the focal point of their forward line. The Brazilian delivered a brace against Elche, highlighting Hansi Flick’s emphasis on width. Lamine Yamal remained quiet, but Karim Adeyemi marked his debut with a goal, and Gordon, after coming off the bench, set up a couple of further chances.
Bate also examined why Barcelona pursued Adeyemi from Borussia Dortmund, noting that the German teenager’s blend of pace and finishing could complement the Catalan side’s fluid style. In a nod to the future, Bate mentioned Hamza Abdelkarim, who impressed in a pre‑season friendly at St Andrew’s, suggesting he might eventually fill a similar role for Barca.
Further down the table, LaLiga results included Real Betis 1‑0 Real Sociedad, Athletic Club 1‑3 Sevilla, Valencia 0‑0 Celta Vigo, Espanyol 1‑2 Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid 2‑2 Villarreal, Getafe 1‑0 Racing Santander, and the aforementioned Elche 0‑5 Barcelona. In Italy, Ruben Amorim enjoyed a winning debut with AC Milan, beating Torino 2‑1 as Serie A kicked off. Scotland striker Che Adams supplied a creative volley, though it wasn’t enough to overturn the result. Juventus and Napoli also secured valuable away points, with Kevin De Bruyne scoring late for Napoli.
Maurizio Sarri’s Atalanta opened with a victory over Sassuolo, yet all of these clubs face a daunting task in trying to unseat defending champions Inter Milan. Inter responded emphatically, thumping Monza 4‑1 in a statement start to their title defence. Hakan Calhanoglu opened the scoring with a spectacular strike, followed by a back‑heeled finish from Pio Esposito, both assisted by Andy Diouf. The match also highlighted Inter’s depth: with Denzel Dumfries having departed for Real Madrid, the right wing‑back spot is now a focus of recruitment, and England’s Djed Spence is tipped as a long‑term solution.
In the meantime, midfielder Andy Diouf, playing out of position, delivered a standout performance, underscoring the squad’s versatility. John Stones even entered as a substitute for defender Manuel Akanji, while Spence and Curtis Jones observed from the bench.
Serie A round‑up: Inter 4‑1 Monza, Udinese 1‑1 Como, Napoli 2‑0 Genoa, Cagliari 1‑0 Parma, Juventus 1‑0 Frosinone, Lecce 2‑0 Venezia, Atalanta 2‑1 Sassuolo, AC Milan 2‑1 Torino. Paris Saint‑Germain’s start remained uneven, as they were held to a 2‑2 draw by Rennes after Ferran Torres rescued a point with two goals. The match, relocated from Paris due to the poor condition of the Parc des Princes, followed a recent UEFA Super Cup win over a depleted Aston Villa and a loss to Lens in the Trophée des Champions, where Lens played most of the second half with ten men. Manager Luis Enrique will need to juggle minutes carefully, perhaps taking a page from Paulo Fonseca’s radical overhaul of Lyon’s lineup against Toulouse, which resulted in a 2‑0 win and secured a crucial Champions League play‑off advantage.
In Ligue 1, Marseille delivered a dominant 4‑0 victory over Strasbourg. Despite being stripped of the captaincy, Pierre‑Émile Højbjerg scored the final goal, a testament to his standing in the dressing room. Højbjerg recently rejected a transfer, frustrating Marseille’s owners who are eager to reduce his wages in the absence of Champions League football. Coach Bruno Genesio publicly voiced his disagreement with the decision, a rare move that suggests a delicate balance between management and the squad.
Ligue 1 results: Marseille 4‑0 Strasbourg, Lens 5‑2 Auxerre, Le Mans 2‑2 Brest, Nice 0‑0 Lorient, Lyon 2‑0 Toulouse, Paris FC 0‑0 Troyes, Lille 2‑0 Angers, Monaco 1‑0 Le Havre, PSG 2‑2 Rennes. In the Dutch Eredivisie, AZ Alkmaar remain unbeaten, while newly promoted Marítimo briefly topped Portugal’s table, a milestone celebrated by their president as a symbolic return for the island of Madeira. Across the continent, Mohamed Salah made a sensational debut for Trabzonspor, netting a brace in a 2‑1 win over Istanbul Başakşehir.
The first goal was scrappy, but the second showcased his trademark give‑and‑go before slotting the ball low into the far corner. Though he had two goals ruled out for offside and received a booking for a dive, Salah’s performance reminded fans why he is regarded as one of the game’s biggest stars, even in a league where such talent is rare.
That concludes this week’s Euro Recap. Stay tuned for more insights, and remember to stream Sky Sports with NOW for full coverage.