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 Germany to Spain, Italy to France, and even a surprise showcase in Turkey. **Germany: A Surprising Start in Dortmund** The Franz Beckenbauer Supercup in Dortmund set the stage for what many expected to be a showcase for Harry Kane, fresh off a 73‑goal haul for Bayern Munich last season. Yet the opening strike in Bayern’s 2‑1 victory over Borussia Dortmund came not from the English striker but from the 23‑year‑old Nathaniel Brown, who slotted home after a swift run down the left flank.
Bate travelled to Bayern’s training ground to investigate why the club is now prioritising Kane’s potential Ballon d’Or campaign. The new signing from Eintracht Frankfurt, usually deployed as a left‑back, was instead handed the No 10 jersey ahead of fellow newcomer Ismael Saibari.
In the first half he delivered a low, precise pass that set up the opening goal, and he hinted at further contributions. Brown’s moment arrived in the 43rd minute when he cut inside from the left channel and fired a shot just wide of the far post. He kept the pressure on, charging forward after the hour‑mark and, after a clever turn, unleashed a strike that forced Kane to shoot over the bar.
Post‑match, Kane praised his teammate, noting, “He’s a very versatile player, not in his natural position but he’s comfortable there and showed great composure in tight spaces.” Brown, who had already found the net in pre‑season, will need to become more involved in Bayern’s passing sequences, as he touched the ball only sparingly before his 28th‑minute goal. **Spain: Contrasting La Liga Openers** Across the Pyrenees, the two Spanish giants kicked off their campaigns with very different stories. Barcelona demolished Elche 5‑0, with Anthony Gordon delivering two assists on his debut, while Real Madrid scraped a 2‑1 win at Espanyol thanks to a dramatic 90th‑minute goal.
Mourinho’s side celebrated as Carlos Espi pounced on a loose ball in the Espanyol box, clinching the victory and earning a heartfelt hug from the manager, whom he referred to as his "neighbour" in Madrid. In a separate interview, Adam Bate spoke with Tyrhys Dolan about the English winger’s evolving role at the Catalan club. At the Real Madrid training ground, the 6‑foot‑4 striker signed from Levante shares breakfast with the coaching staff, a routine that has apparently helped him settle quickly.
Though not the most high‑profile acquisition, his physical presence could prove decisive. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois likened Espi, a 21‑year‑old forward, to "Joselu Junior," recalling the former striker’s crucial goals that helped Madrid secure the 2024 Champions League. Barcelona’s approach, by contrast, relies on the pace and dribbling of Raphinha, who has been deployed as the focal point of their attack. The Brazilian forward scored twice against Elche, while Lamine Yamal remained quiet but was compensated by Karim Adeyemi’s debut goal and Gordon’s two assists from the bench.
**Italy: Serie A Gets Underway** In Italy, AC Milan’s new manager Ruben Amorim celebrated a 2‑1 away win over Torino, with Che Adams delivering a spectacular volley that fell just short of the winner. Juventus and Napoli also secured valuable away victories, the latter aided by a late Kevin De Bruyne strike. Maurizio Sarri’s debut for Atalanta resulted in a win over Sassuolo, though all eyes remain on defending champions Inter Milan. Inter opened their title defence with a dominant 4‑1 triumph over Monza.
Hakan Calhanoglu opened the scoring with a stunning long‑range effort, 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, shone in the right wing‑back position—a spot Inter have been hunting since Denzel Dumfries’ departure to Real Madrid. England’s Djed Spence is tipped to fill the vacancy long‑term, but Diouf’s performance highlighted the depth available to coach Cristian Chivu.
John Stones even came off the bench for defender Manuel Akanji, while Spence and Curtis Jones watched from the stands. **France: PSG Struggles and Marseille’s Resurgence** Paris Saint‑Germain’s start to the French season remained uneven, as they were held to a 2‑2 draw by Rennes after Ferran Torres, a World Cup hero, rescued a point with a brace. The match was relocated from the Parc des Princes due to a sub‑standard pitch, echoing PSG’s recent woes in the UEFA Super Cup and the Trophée des Champions.
Luis Enrique’s rotation policy will be under scrutiny, especially after Paulo Fonseca’s bold decision to overhaul Lyon’s entire XI against Toulouse, a gamble that paid off with a 2‑0 win and could have far‑reaching financial implications if Lyon progress in the Champions League play‑off. Marseille, however, provided the French highlight reel, thumping Strasbourg 4‑0.
Midfielder Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg, stripped of the captaincy, responded by scoring the final goal, a testament to his standing among teammates. Højbjerg recently rejected a lucrative move, frustrating Marseille’s owners who are eager to off‑load his wages amid a lack of Champions League football.
Head coach Bruno Genesio publicly defended his decision, distancing himself from the board and underscoring the delicate balance within the club. **Netherlands, Portugal and Turkey: Smaller Leagues Make Noise** AZ Alkmaar remain the sole unbeaten side in the Eredivisie, while newly promoted Marítimo briefly topped Portugal’s table, with club president emphasizing the emotional significance of returning to the top flight for the island of Madeira.
The most surprising headline came from Turkey, where Mohamed Salah announced his arrival with a brace on his league debut for Trabzonspor in a 2‑1 victory over Istanbul Başakşehir. The first goal was a scrappy finish, but the second showcased Salah’s classic give‑and‑go, slipping the ball low into the far corner. Although two additional goals were ruled out for offside and he received a yellow for a dive, the performance reminded fans why he is regarded as one of the world’s biggest stars, now dazzling Turkish supporters. **Key Results Recap** - La Liga: Real Betis 1‑0 Real Sociedad, Athletic Club 1‑3 Sevilla, Valencia 0‑0 Celta Vigo, Espanyol 1‑2 Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid 2‑2 Villarreal, Getafe 1‑0 Racing Santander, Elche 0‑5 Barcelona.
- Serie A: Inter 4‑1 Monza, Udinese 1‑1 Como, Genoa 0‑2 Napoli, Parma 0‑1 Cagliari, Frosinone 0‑1 Juventus, Venezia 0‑2 Lecce, Atalanta 2‑1 Sassuolo, Torino 1‑2 AC Milan. - Ligue 1: Marseille 4‑0 Strasbourg, Lens 5‑2 Auxerre, Le Mans 2‑2 Brest, Nice 0‑0 Lorient, Toulouse 0‑2 Lyon, Troyes 0‑0 Paris FC, Angers 0‑2 Lille, Le Havre 0‑1 Monaco, Rennes 2‑2 PSG.
- Eredivisie: AZ Alkmaar unbeaten, Marítimo briefly leading in Portugal, and Salah’s two‑goal debut for Trabzonspor in Turkey. That concludes this week’s Euro Debrief.
Stay tuned for more insights and analysis as the European season unfolds.