Massimiliano Allegri made a winning start as Napoli boss as they defeated Genoa 2-0 in their opening game of the Serie A season.
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Genoa 0-2 Napoli: De Bruyne makes the difference to secure winning start for Allegri
After they were seemingly heading for a draw in their Serie A opener, Kevin De Bruyne helped Napoli win all three points against Genoa.
Kevin De Bruyne came off the bench to break the deadlock in the 82nd minute before assisting Antonio Vergara moments later, as Daniele De Rossi's hosts failed to hold on for a point at the Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris.
Genoa certainly had the better of the first-half chances; Vítinha fired over in the seventh minute after an error from Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret, while Tommaso Baldanzi saw an attempt from close range blocked.
Alisson Santos flashed wide of the left post at the other end before Leonardo Spinazzola finally tested Justin Bijlow, though the Dutchman easily held onto that scuffed effort.
Neither side took full control in the second half, either, though Scott McTominay almost produced a moment of magic as he fizzed a low cross into the six-yard box, with Rasmus Hojlund just failing to get on the end of it.
However, De Bruyne managed to make the difference for Allegri's side in the end, showing great strength to hold off a challenge from Johan Vasquez and finish past Bijlow from Vergara's pass.
And the Belgium international returned the favour five minutes later, squaring for Vergara to finish first-time, despite the best efforts of Sebastian Otoa back on his own line.
De Bruyne stars to paper over the cracks
Allegri will no doubt be grateful for De Bruyne's impact, with the former Manchester City star scoring with his only shot after being substituted on, while also creating a joint-team-high two chances (level with McTominay) and winning both of his duels.
Nevertheless, there is plenty of work to be done for Napoli, who were far from their best against a Genoa side who finished 16th in Serie A last season.
The Partenopei accumulated just 0.75 expected goals (xG) in this contest, 0.69 of which came in the second half, with both of their Opta-defined big chances coming after the 80th minute (the two goals).
One could argue Napoli deserved to win due to their clinical nature, but their lack of creativity in the final third was prevalent prior to De Bruyne's introduction, with the 35-year-old now surely in line for a start when Napoli host Como next weekend.
