SASSUOLO, ITALY – AUGUST 23: Kevin De Bruyne of Napoli and teammate Scott McTominay pose for a photo at full-time following their victory in the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and SSC Napoli at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on August 23, 2025 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Scott McTominay says he needs ‘advice’ from Kevin De Bruyne, while the ex-Manchester City star admits he has to ‘adjust’ to Napoli.
De Bruyne and McTominay scored a goal apiece in Napoli’s 2-0 win over Sassuolo on Saturday.
“The message for the pre-season was we need to take off where we finished last season. It was important to win against a difficult team, which was not so easy, but are hungry this year and humble in the work as well,” McTominay told DAZN.
McTominay was the 2024-25 Serie A MVP, inspiring the Partenopei’s second Scudetto in three seasons. Has he given any advice to his new teammate?
McTominay needs advice from De Bruyne at Napoli
“He doesn’t need any advice; I need advice from him,” admitted McTominay.
“What a player and what a guy as well. We are happy to have him and bring all his qualities. He’s ready to go; he just came in, and it’s like he’s been here for five years. He’s such a great guy. We are all together, the team spirit is the most important thing and remain humble.”
The Scotland international scored the first goal in the game with a towering header and received the MOTM award at the Mapei Stadium.
McTominay was famously given the nickname McFratm last season, as he found one for De Bruyne?
“Not yet, that will come, I’m sure,” McTominay replied, smiling.
De Bruyne: ‘Napoli don’t have to adjust to me’
“There are so many nicknames out there, it’s hard to even imagine what they’ll come up with for Kevin.”
De Bruyne scored his first Serie A goal from a free kick in the second half.
“It was a nice moment, I just tried to put it in the right space, a dangerous space. Nobody touched it in this case, but it’s nice when you start this way,” said the Belgian.
How has he been adapting to Serie A football?
“It’s a different way of working and playing. I have to adjust a bit and can do better,” said KDB.
“It was a good start as a team, but I think we can play better individually and collectively. I came in and tried to look at them. They have a way of playing that I have to adjust to. They don’t have to adjust to me, and I try to get with them, try to work hard and follow what they did last year. It’s a great group. They’ve helped me settle in easily, the foreigners and the Italian guys, so I try to help them with my experience, but they teach me how they play in Italy. I think it’s going very well, but we still have to grow.”
De Bruyne, who joined Napoli on a free transfer from Manchester City, became the oldest outfield Partenopei player to make his Serie A debut for the club in the three-point era.
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