Welcome to the Euro Recap, a fresh Sky Sports column where Adam Bate curates the most compelling narratives from the latest continental fixtures. This edition covers a whirlwind of action across Europe, from the German Supercup to LaLiga openings, Serie A clashes, and surprising developments in Turkey. **Dortmund Showdown and the Kane Factor** The Franz Beckenbauer Supercup in Dortmund set the stage for a high‑profile encounter between Bayern Munich and the hosts.
All eyes were on Harry Kane, fresh off a prolific season in which he netted 73 goals for Bayern. Yet the opening goal of the 2‑1 victory came not from the English striker but from Nathaniel Brown, the 23‑year‑old who slipped a low drive into the corner early in the first half. In a behind‑the‑scenes interview, Bate explored why Bayern are now keen to see Kane lift the Ballon d'Or, positioning the club as a launchpad for his individual ambitions. The discussion highlighted the tactical flexibility Bayern have been experimenting with, especially after the summer acquisition of a former Eintracht Frankfurt left‑back who has been deployed in a No 10 role, out‑scoring fellow newcomer Ismael Saibari.
Brown’s contribution didn’t stop at the opener. He surged down the left flank in the 43rd minute, narrowly missing the far post, and later, after the hour mark, he launched a swift counter‑attack, turning deftly before setting up a shot that Kane barely missed. Post‑match, Kane praised his teammate, noting, "He’s a versatile player, not in his natural position but he’s shown intelligence on the ball and an ability to finish in tight spaces." The English forward also highlighted that Brown had already found the net in pre‑season, though he admitted the youngster will need to adjust to the higher tempo of Bundesliga football, as Brown was often left out of passing sequences before his 28th‑minute strike. **Spanish Giants Kick Off Their Campaigns** Across the Pyrenees, the two heavyweight clubs in Spain began their LaLiga journeys with contrasting styles.
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 winner came from Carlos Espi, who pounced on a loose ball inside the box, prompting an exuberant embrace from manager José Mourinho, who referred to the scorer as his "neighbour" in Madrid. Bate also sat down with Tyrhys Dolan to discuss the English winger’s evolving role at Espanyol, noting that both player and coach share daily breakfasts at the club’s training ground – a routine that has helped the 6‑foot‑4 striker, signed from Levante, settle in quickly.
Though not the most high‑profile signing at Real, his physical presence could prove a valuable asset for Mourinho’s tactical plans. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois likened Espi to "Joselu Junior," recalling the former striker’s clutch performances, including two late goals against Bayern Munich that helped Madrid clinch the 2024 Champions League. At 21, Espi offers a different profile – a potential game‑changer who could thrive under Mourinho’s preference for a robust centre‑forward, a stark contrast to Barcelona’s current reliance on the mobile Raphinha.
**Barcelona’s Attack Flourishes** Barcelona’s offensive display was highlighted by a brace from the Brazilian forward, while Hansi Flick’s side showcased an abundance of width. Lamine Yamal was quiet, but Karim Adeyemi made an immediate impact on his debut, and Gordon, coming off the bench, supplied two crucial assists.
Bate examined the rationale behind Barcelona’s decision to sign Adeyemi from Borussia Dortmund, emphasizing the club’s desire to inject youthful energy and versatility into their front line. Having watched Hamza Abdelkarim impress Birmingham in a pre‑season friendly at St Andrew’s, Bate suggested that the Algerian could also fill a similar role for Barcelona, perhaps reducing the need for Julian Álvarez, who was jeered by Atlético fans during their 2‑2 draw with Villarreal.
**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 Scotland’s Che Adams delivering an inventive volley. Juventus and Napoli also secured away wins, 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 clubs will find it challenging to dislodge defending champions Inter Milan. Inter opened their title defence with a dominant 4‑1 triumph over Monza.
Hakan Calhanoglu opened the scoring with a spectacular strike, followed by Pio Esposito’s back‑heeled finish, both assisted by Andy Diouf. The match also highlighted Inter’s depth: with Denzel Dumfries having departed for Real Madrid, the club is hunting a new right wing‑back, eyeing England’s Djed Spence as a long‑term solution.
In the meantime, midfielder Andy Diouf, playing out of position, delivered a stellar performance, underscoring the squad’s versatility. John Stones even entered as a substitute for Manuel Akanji, while Spence and Curtis Jones observed from the stands. **Ligue 1: Marseille’s Resurgence** In France, Marseille stunned Strasbourg with a 4‑0 victory. Despite losing the captaincy, Pierre‑Émile Hojbjerg repaid the club’s faith by scoring the final goal, a moment that sparked jubilant celebrations among teammates.
Hojbjerg recently rejected a transfer request, frustrating Marseille’s hierarchy, which is eager to offload his wages given the club’s lack of Champions League football. Head coach Bruno Genesio publicly defended the decision, distancing himself from the ownership’s stance – a tactical move that may preserve squad harmony for now.
Meanwhile, PSG’s start to the season remained uneven. After a 2‑2 draw with Rennes, where World Cup star Ferran Torres rescued a point, the French giants continue to grapple with an uneven pitch at the Parc des Princes that forced the match to be relocated.
Luis Enrique’s rotation policy will be under scrutiny, especially after seeing Paulo Fonseca overhaul Lyon’s lineup against Toulouse, a bold move that paid off with a 2‑0 win and could have significant financial implications for Lyon’s Champions League play‑off ambitions. **Other European Highlights** In the Eredivisie, AZ Alkmaar remain the sole unbeaten side, while newly promoted Marítimo briefly topped Portugal’s table, with their president emphasizing the emotional importance of returning to the top flight for the island of Madeira. Further east, Mohamed Salah made a sensational debut for Trabzonspor, scoring twice in a 2‑1 victory over Istanbul Başakşehir. The first goal was a scrappy finish, but the second showcased his trademark intelligence – a quick one‑two that saw him slot the ball low into the far corner.
Although two additional goals were ruled out for off‑side and he received a booking for a dive, Salah’s performance reminded fans why his move to Turkey generated such excitement, with many dubbing him the biggest star ever to join the Turkish league. **Key Results Across the Continent** - LaLiga: 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, Napoli 2‑0 Genoa, Parma 0‑1 Cagliari, 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, Marítimo briefly leading in Portugal. - Turkish Süper Lig: Trabzonspor 2‑1 İstanbul Başakşehir (Salah brace). The Euro Recap will continue to bring you in‑depth analysis, player interviews, and tactical breakdowns as the European season unfolds. Stay tuned for more insights from Adam Bate, and don’t forget to stream Sky Sports NOW for full video coverage.