Serie A | Genoa 0-2 Napoli: De Bruyne can inspire victory | OneFootball

Napoli only kicked into gear once Kevin De Bruyne came off the bench, scoring one goal amid Genoa protests and setting up the other for Antonio Vergara.

The Partenopei made their competitive debut under new coach Max Allegri, but without any new signings in the line-up, as Benoit Badiashile only completed his transfer from Chelsea today. Alessandro Buongiorno and Luca Marianucci were long-term absentees, with Kevin De Bruyne, David Neres and Pasquale Mazzocchi not fully fit either. Genoa missed Hamed Traore, Lorenzo Venturino and Elias Havel, while Franz-Ethan Meichtry was only ready for the bench.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

GENOA, ITALY – AUGUST 22: Massimiliano Allegri, Head Coach of Napoli before the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and SSC Napoli at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on August 22, 2026 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)

Alex Meret almost gifted a goal in the opening minutes with a weak pass out from the back, but Vitinha drilled just wide on the rebound, then Tommaso Baldanzi’s chest and volley was deflected off target at the near post.

Vitinha tested Meret and Alisson Santos first rolled just past Rasmus Hojlund, then went for goal himself drilling just wide at the near post.

Scott McTominay hit one from distance for Justin Bijlow to smother, but Napoli stepped up a gear when Allegri made his first changes, including De Bruyne.

GENOA, ITALY – AUGUST 22: Stanislav Lobotka of Napoli and Vitinha of Genoa react during the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and SSC Napoli at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on August 22, 2026 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)

Hojlund at full stretch couldn’t quite connect with the McTominay roll across from the right, then Alessandro Marcandalli flung himself in the path of a Stanislav Lobotka rocket.

Genoa threatened when Junior Messias went on the counter-attack and was blocked off by Spinazzola, it fell kindly for Sebastian Otoa to fire onto the side-netting.

However, moments later it was Napoli who took the lead amid controversy. De Bruyne completed a give and go with Antonio Vergara’s back-heel flick, and Johan Vasquez tried to shield the ball, but wasn’t strong enough to resist the nudge in the back, allowing the Belgian to fire in undisturbed from seven yards. Genoa were furious, feeling it was a foul, but Vasquez seemed to assume the free kick would arrive.

GENOA, ITALY – AUGUST 22: Johan Vasquez of Genoa is challenged by Kevin De Bruyne of Napoli during the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and SSC Napoli at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on August 22, 2026 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)

Napoli doubled their lead soon after and Vergara was again involved. This time he sparked the counter-attack to send De Bruyne down the right, the roll across went past Lorenzo Lucca, but Vergara was ready to steer it back towards goal from a tricky angle. Otoa tried to clear off the line, but got it wrong and failed to stop the ball entering the net.

Genoa 0-2 Napoli

De Bruyne 82 (N), Vergara 87 (N)