Welcome to the Euro Debrief, a fresh Sky Sports column where Adam Bate distills the most compelling narratives from the latest continental fixtures. This edition covers a whirlwind of action across Europe, from the German Supercup to the opening weeks of LaLiga, Serie A, Ligue 1, and beyond.
### A Surprising Start in Dortmund The Franz Beckenbauer Supercup in Dortmund set the stage for a high‑profile clash between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. All eyes were on Harry Kane, who had netted 73 goals for Bayern in the previous campaign and was expected to continue his scoring spree. Instead, the opening goal of the 2‑1 victory came from the young winger Nathaniel Brown, who slipped a low ball into the corner in the first half. Bate travelled to Bayern’s training ground to explore why the club is now prioritising Kane’s potential Ballon d’Or campaign.
The discussion highlighted the club’s strategic shift: while Kane remains the focal point, the coaching staff are also grooming other talents for decisive moments. Brown, a 23‑year‑old who arrived from Eintracht Frankfurt as a left‑back, was deployed in a number‑10 role ahead of fellow newcomer Ismael Saibari. He made an immediate impact, delivering a precise low drive that forced the opposition goalkeeper into a scramble. Later, he cut inside from the left channel, barely missing the far post before the half‑hour mark, and his subsequent burst of energy sparked another attack that saw Kane fire a shot just over the bar.
In a post‑match interview, Kane praised Brown’s versatility, noting that the youngster had already found the net during pre‑season. "He’s a very adaptable player," Kane said. "Even though it isn’t his natural position, he’s shown great intelligence on the ball and can operate in tight spaces, as we saw with his finish." Brown, however, will need to become more involved in Bayern’s possession phases.
Up to his 28th‑minute strike, he touched the ball only sparingly and was often omitted from passing sequences. The coaching staff plan to integrate him more fully as the Bundesliga season approaches. ### LaLiga’s Contrasting Openers Across the Pyrenees, Spain’s two giants began their league campaigns with very different stories.
Barcelona demolished Elche 5‑0, with debutant Anthony Gordon providing two assists in a performance that signalled his arrival on the big stage. Meanwhile, Real Madrid eked out a 2‑1 win over Espanyol thanks to a dramatic 90th‑minute strike by Carlos Espi, a 21‑year‑old forward who latched onto a loose ball inside the box.
The goal earned him a heartfelt embrace from manager José Mourinho, who likened the youngster to a modern‑day "Joselu Junior" – a nod to the prolific striker who helped Madrid clinch the 2024 Champions League. Mourinho’s side also featured a 6’4” striker signed from Levante, who lives at the club’s training ground and shares breakfast with the coaching staff. Though not the most high‑profile signing, his physical presence could become a valuable weapon in Mourinho’s tactical toolbox.
On the Barcelona side, the spotlight fell on Raphinha, whose mobility and directness have been pivotal in the team’s early dominance. Meanwhile, former Bayern midfielder Thibaut Courtois praised Espi’s potential, suggesting he could evolve into a decisive centre‑forward for Madrid. ### Serie A: New Beginnings and Tactical Tweaks In Italy, AC Milan’s new manager Ruben Amorim enjoyed a 2‑1 away victory over Torino, with Che Adams delivering a creative volley that highlighted Milan’s renewed attacking vigor. Juventus and Napoli also secured important away wins, the latter benefitting from a late Kevin De Bruyne goal.
Maurizio Sarri’s debut for Atalanta resulted in a win over Sassuolo, but all eyes remain on defending champions Inter Milan. Inter opened their title defence with a resounding 4‑1 triumph over Monza. Hakan Calhanoglu opened the scoring with a spectacular strike, followed by a back‑heeled finish from Pio Esposito. Both goals were set up by Andy Diouf, who, despite being deployed out of his usual midfield role, showcased the depth of Cristian Chivu’s squad.
The club is still hunting for a permanent right wing‑back after Denzel Dumfries’ departure to Real Madrid; English youngster Djed Spence is expected to fill that vacancy in the long term. Meanwhile, veteran John Stones made a cameo off the bench, underscoring Inter’s blend of experience and youth. ### Ligue 1: Marseille’s Resilience and PSG’s Early Woes Paris Saint‑Germain stumbled to a 2‑2 draw with Rennes, needing a brace from World Cup hero Ferran Torres to rescue a point after the Parc des Princes was rendered unplayable and the match relocated.
The result follows a mixed start for Luis Enrique, who previously saw PSG scrape past a weakened Aston Villa in the UEFA Super Cup and then lose to Lens in the Trophée des Champions despite Lens playing most of the second half with ten men. Marseille, however, delivered a statement performance, thrashing Strasbourg 4‑0. Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg, recently stripped of the captaincy, responded by scoring the final goal, a gesture that highlighted his popularity within the squad.
Højbjerg recently rejected a lucrative transfer, frustrating Marseille’s owners who are eager to off‑load his wages amid the club’s absence from European competition. Head coach Bruno Genesio publicly voiced his disagreement with the decision, a rare move that underscores the tension between the coaching staff and the board.
### The Eredivisie, Primeira Liga, and a Turkish Surprise In the Netherlands, AZ Alkmaar remain the sole unbeaten side in the Eredivisie, while newly promoted Marítimo briefly topped Portugal’s Primeira Liga, a milestone that their president described as a vital morale boost for the island of Madeira. Perhaps the most eye‑catching story comes from Turkey, where Mohamed Salah made an electrifying home‑league debut for Trabzonspor, scoring twice in a 2‑1 win over Istanbul Başakşehir.
The first goal was a scrappy finish, but the second displayed classic Salah brilliance – a clever one‑two that saw him slot the ball low into the far corner. Although two additional goals were disallowed for offside and he received a booking for a dive, Salah’s performance reminded fans why he is considered one of the modern game’s biggest stars.
His arrival has already generated massive excitement, and if he continues to produce such moments, the Turkish league’s global profile could receive a significant boost. ### Quick Results Overview - **Bundesliga:** Bayern 2‑1 Dortmund (Supercup) - **LaLiga:** Barcelona 5‑0 Elche, Real Madrid 2‑1 Espanyol, Real Betis 1‑0 Real Sociedad, Athletic Club 1‑3 Sevilla, Valencia 0‑0 Celta Vigo, Atlético Madrid 2‑2 Villarreal, Getafe 1‑0 Racing Santander - **Serie A:** 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 - **Ligue 1:** 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 - **Eredivisie:** AZ Alkmaar unbeaten - **Primeira Liga:** Marítimo briefly top - **Turkish Süper Lig:** Trabzonspor 2‑1 İstanbul Başakşehir The Euro Debrief will continue to track these storylines as the season unfolds, offering insight into tactical shifts, player adaptations, and the broader implications for clubs across Europe. Stay tuned for more analysis, exclusive interviews, and behind‑the‑scenes perspectives from Adam Bate.