Welcome to the Euro Recap, 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 Germany, Spain, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Portugal and Turkey, with a special focus on standout individual performances and tactical shifts. In Dortmund, the atmosphere was electric as the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup kicked off.
All eyes were on Harry Kane, who had netted an impressive 73 goals for Bayern Munich the previous season. Yet the opening goal of the 2-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund came not from the English striker but from the young German winger Nathaniel Brown, who slotted home early in the first half. Brown’s goal was a low, precise finish into the corner, showcasing his composure despite being a recent summer signing from Eintracht Frankfurt and traditionally a left‑back. His versatility earned him a spot in the No 10 role ahead of fellow newcomer Ismael Saibari, and he quickly proved his worth.
Brown, only 23, continued to trouble the Dortmund defence. In the 43rd minute he cut in from the left, cut the ball just wide of the far post, and later, after the hour mark, he surged forward again, delivering a clever turn that set up a second‑half chance for Kane, who struck the post.
Post‑match, Kane praised his new teammate, noting, “He’s a smart player, comfortable on the ball, and very effective in tight spaces. Even though it isn’t his natural position, he’s adapted well and showed quality with his finish.” Brown, in turn, described himself as “a very versatile player” and highlighted that he had already found the net during pre‑season. However, Bate observed that Brown still needs to be more involved in the build‑up, as he was often left out of passing sequences before his 28th‑minute strike. Meanwhile, across the English Channel, the Spanish giants kicked off their LaLiga campaigns with contrasting styles.
Barcelona demolished Elche 5‑0, with Anthony Gordon making an immediate impact by providing two assists on his debut. In contrast, Real Madrid endured a nerve‑wracking 2‑1 win over Espanyol, secured by a dramatic 90th‑minute goal from Carlos Espi, who pounced on a loose ball inside the box. The scorer received a heartfelt hug from manager José Mourinho, who is back for his second spell at the Bernabéu.
Mourinho’s delight was evident as he celebrated the goal, calling Espi his "neighbour" in Madrid. Bate also sat down with Tyrhys Dolan to discuss the English winger’s evolving role at Espanyol, noting how the player and the coaching staff now share daily breakfasts at the club’s training ground, fostering a close‑knit environment. The 6’4” striker signed from Levante may not be the most high‑profile name in the squad, but Mourinho believes he could become a pivotal weapon in the attack.
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has even likened Espi to “Joselu Junior,” a nod to the former striker who scored crucial goals for Madrid, including two late winners against Bayern Munich in the 2024 Champions League final. In Barcelona’s side, the mobile forward Raphinha continues to lead the line, while Brazilian forward Lamine Yamal stayed quiet in the Elche match.
However, Karim Adeyemi made his Barcelona debut with a goal, and Gordon, coming off the bench, supplied a couple of assists, underlining the depth of talent in the squad. Across Italy, AC Milan started Ruben Amorim’s tenure positively with a 2‑1 away win at Torino.
Che Adams contributed a creative volley, though it wasn’t enough to overturn the result for the visitors. Juventus and Napoli also secured away victories, the latter thanks to a late Kevin De Bruyne strike. Maurizio Sarri’s first game in charge of Atalanta ended in a win over Sassuolo, yet all these clubs face the daunting task of challenging Inter Milan’s dominance.
Inter, the reigning double champions, opened their Serie A defence with a commanding 4‑1 triumph over Monza. Hakan Calhanoglu opened the scoring with a spectacular strike, followed by a back‑heeled finish from Pio Esposito, both assisted by Andy Diouf. Inter’s summer search for a right wing‑back continues after Denzel Dumfries departed for Real Madrid.
England’s Djed Spence is expected to fill the role long‑term, but in the meantime Diouf, a midfielder thrust into the position, performed admirably, highlighting the squad’s depth. John Stones also made a cameo off the bench for defender Manuel Akanji, while Spence and Curtis Jones observed from the stands.
In France, Paris Saint‑Germain’s start remained shaky as they drew 2‑2 with Rennes, relying on two goals from World Cup star Ferran Torres to salvage a point after the Parc des Princes pitch was deemed unplayable and the match moved to Rennes. After a mixed pre‑season that 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), questions linger about Luis Enrique’s rotation policy. Comparisons were drawn to Paulo Fonseca’s radical overhaul of Lyon’s lineup against Toulouse, a move that paid off with a 2‑0 win and may influence future tactical decisions.
Marseille, however, delivered the standout French performance, thumping Strasbourg 4‑0. Midfielder Pierre‑Émile Højbjerg, stripped of the captaincy earlier in the season, responded by scoring the final goal, a testament to his popularity within the squad. Højbjerg recently rejected a transfer, frustrating Marseille’s owners who are eager to offload his wages given the club’s absence from European competition. Head coach Bruno Genesio publicly voiced his disagreement with the decision, a rare move that underscores the delicate balance between management and the dressing‑room.
In the Eredivisie, AZ Alkmaar remain the sole unbeaten side, while newly promoted Marítimo briefly topped Portugal’s table, a milestone the club’s president celebrated as a vital moment for the island of Madeira. The most surprising headline came from Turkey, where Mohamed Salah announced his arrival at Trabzonspor with a brace in a 2‑1 victory over Istanbul Başakşehir. The first goal was a scrappy finish, but the second was a classic Salah move: a quick one‑two that saw him slot the ball low into the far corner.
Although he had two goals ruled out for off‑side and earned a booking for a dive, his performance reminded fans why he is considered one of the world’s biggest stars, now plying his trade far from the Premier League. Overall, the opening weekend of the European season offered a blend of expected triumphs and unexpected twists, setting the stage for a thrilling campaign across the continent.