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 Europe, from the German Supercup showdown to the opening weeks of LaLiga, Serie A, Ligue 1, and even a surprising headline from Turkey. In Dortmund, the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup set the stage for a high‑profile clash between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. While many expected Harry Kane to add to the 73 goals he notched for Bayern last season, the first goal of the 2‑1 victory came from a different source: Nathaniel Brown.
The 23‑year‑old winger broke free down the left flank in the 43rd minute, cutting in and firing a low strike that beat the keeper at the far post. He later forced a second chance with a clever turn that saw Kane’s shot sail just over the bar.
After the match, Kane praised his new teammate, calling him "a very versatile player" who had already found the net in pre‑season. He noted that Brown’s positioning needed fine‑tuning – the young man had barely touched the ball before his 28th‑minute opener and was often left out of passing sequences.
Nevertheless, Kane highlighted Brown’s intelligence, close‑control, and composure in tight spaces, qualities that could prove valuable as the Bundesliga season looms. Bate also went behind the scenes at Bayern to explore why the club has made Harry Kane’s potential Ballon d’Or triumph a strategic priority. The English striker’s arrival from Eintracht Frankfurt was initially billed as a left‑back acquisition, yet the manager opted to slot him into a No 10 role ahead of fellow newcomer Ismael Saibari.
This tactical shift underscores Bayern’s willingness to experiment with formations in pursuit of European glory. Across the English Channel, the Spanish giants kicked off their LaLiga campaigns with starkly different narratives. Barcelona demolished Elche 5‑0, with Anthony Gordon—making his debut for the Catalans—providing two assists.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid scraped a 2‑1 win at Espanyol thanks to a dramatic 90th‑minute strike from Carlos Espi, who latched onto a loose ball inside the box. The goal earned him a heartfelt hug from manager José Mourinho, who is in his second spell at the Bernabéu.
Mourinho’s side also featured a towering 6’4" striker signed from Levante, who lives and breakfasts with the coaching staff at the club’s training ground. Though not the most high‑profile signing, his presence adds depth to a forward line that already boasts the likes of Karim Adeyemi, who debuted with a goal, and the ever‑reliable Luka Modrić. In the midfield, Thibaut Courtois likened Espi to “Joselu Junior,” a nod to the former Real Madrid hero who scored crucial goals, including two late winners against Bayern Munich on the way to the 2024 Champions League triumph. At Barcelona, the mobile forward Raphinha continues to occupy the central attacking role, offering a contrast to Madrid’s more traditional target‑man approach.
Further south, AC Milan’s new manager Rubén Amorim celebrated a 2‑1 away victory over Torino, marking a promising start for the Serie A campaign. Scotland striker Che Adams provided an imaginative volley, though it wasn’t enough to overturn the result in favor of the visitors.
Juventus and Napoli also secured valuable away wins, with Kevin De Bruyne netting late for the Neapolitans. Maurizio Sarri’s Atalanta opened with a win over Sassuolo, yet all eyes remain on defending champions Inter Milan.
Inter displayed their firepower with a 4‑1 demolition of Monza. Hakan Calhanoglu opened the scoring with a spectacular strike, followed by a back‑heeled finish from Pio Esposito, both assisted by Andy Diouf. The Milan club continues its summer hunt for a right wing‑back after Denzel Dumfries’ departure to Real Madrid. England’s Djed Spence is tipped to fill the vacancy long‑term, though Diouf’s makeshift performance at the position highlighted the depth available to manager Cristian Chivu.
Even John Stones entered the fray as a substitute for Manuel Akanji, while Spence and Curtis Jones observed from the bench. In France, Paris Saint‑Germain’s shaky start persisted with a 2‑2 draw at Rennes.
World Cup star Ferran Torres rescued a point with a brace, but the match was relocated from Paris due to the poor condition of the Parc des Princes pitch. Luis Enrique’s rotation policy will be scrutinized, especially after Lyon’s Paulo Fonseca famously changed his entire XI for a Champions League play‑off, a gamble that paid off with a 2‑0 win. Marseille provided the French highlight, thrashing Strasbourg 4‑0.
Captain Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg, stripped of his armband, responded by scoring the final goal, a testament to his standing within the squad. Højbjerg recently rejected a transfer, frustrating Marseille’s owners who are eager to offload his wages after missing out on European competition. Head coach Bruno Genesio publicly voiced his disagreement with the decision, a rare display of internal tension.
Meanwhile, in the Eredivisie, AZ Alkmaar remains unbeaten, preserving a perfect record, while newly promoted Marítimo briefly topped Portugal’s table, a milestone celebrated by the club’s president who emphasized the significance of returning to the top flight for the island of Madeira. Perhaps the most surprising story came from Turkey, where Mohamed Salah marked his home‑league debut for Trabzonspor with a brace in a 2‑1 victory over Istanbul Başakşehir.
The Egyptian legend’s first goal was a scrappy finish, but his second was a clinical low drive into the far corner after a swift one‑two. Salah later had two goals ruled out for off‑side and received a booking for a dive, but his impact was undeniable. He has already described the reception in Turkey as unlike anything he’s experienced, hinting at a bright future for the league.
Overall, the opening weekend across Europe delivered a mixture of dominant performances, dramatic late winners, and intriguing managerial narratives. Fans can look forward to more twists as the season unfolds, with the Euro Debrief ready to bring you the essential takeaways from each matchday.