Real Madrid and England star Jude Bellingham has spoken of his frustration at a muscle injury he sustained in training via his account on social media website X.

According to reports, it is expected to keep the 21-year-old out of action until at least the end of September.

That means he will miss his club's next three matches along with Lee Carsley’s opening two fixtures as England’s interim manager.

In an official statement, Real Madrid said, “Following tests carried out today [Friday] on Jude Bellingham by Real Madrid’s medical team, the player has been diagnosed with an injury to the plantaris muscle in his right leg. His progress will be monitored.”

On his enforced time off, Bellingham tried to find the positives despite admitting his frustration, as he suggested last season's exploits have perhaps taken a toll on his fitness.

“Nothing I hate more than missing games but trying to see the positive side and maybe my body is telling me it needs a bit more rest,” he wrote on X.

“I’m very frustrated but I’ll be supporting the lads like a fan until I can rejoin them again in my best and strongest form.”

Xabi Alonso asked for more character and aggression from his Bayer Leverkusen side after their last-gasp 3-2 win over Borussia Monchengladbach in the Bundesliga opener.

Leverkusen were awarded a penalty deep into added time on Friday, with Florian Wirtz converting on the rebound to earn the visitors the three points.

Granit Xhaka lashed Leverkusen into the lead with a stunning strike in the 12th minute.

Wirtz extended Leverkusen's lead but Gladbach hit back through Nico Elvedi and Tim Kleindienst before the late drama.

"It was an intense first Bundesliga game for us. A lot of things happened in the second half, it was full of emotion right to the end. We did well in many phases," Alonso said.

"But we weren't always so compact today, we were also a bit passive in some phases. We have to do that better. We have to be more aggressive.

"It's difficult to explain why we always score late goals. We can't train that and I can't influence it. It's the mentality of the team."

Champions Leverkusen, who set a European record of 51 consecutive games without loss across all competitions last season, kept their unbeaten streak intact with a number of late equalisers.

"We said at half-time that we must not let up and not think that the game is over," said Xhaka.

"At the end of the first half, we started not being consistent enough in our passing game and losing easy balls. Here at home, Gladbach never die, you could see that in the goals at 1-2 and 2-2."

Wirtz became the fifth Leverkusen player to score in successive opening games of a Bundesliga season.

He added: "I had the feeling that we made it unnecessarily difficult for ourselves.

"We were asleep when it came to conceding goals. We let it slip away ourselves, even though we were actually in control, although we didn't have the ball the whole time.

"I just wanted to decide the game. I know that in the end it will be a lucky win. (But) we are happy that we won and that I was able to score the follow-up shot."

BJ Callaghan insists foundations are still being built in Nashville as he takes charge of his first MLS fixture with his new side against Austin FC this weekend.

Callaghan replaced Gary Smith and was in the dugout for their Leagues Cup campaign but failed to reach the knockout stages after losing 5-4 on penalties to New England Revolution.

But attention now swiftly returns to league action, with the Coyotes sitting 12th in the Eastern Conference standings, but just two points behind Atlanta United, who are ninth.

And Callaghan acknowledged his side had only been together for a matter of weeks, and explained their Leagues Cup exit offered them time to focus on themselves.

"We came into the Leagues Cup with the objective of making progress and starting to build," Callaghan said.

"We've been together for not even two weeks as a group. We wanted to play as many games as possible because we know that's a good way to continue to challenge ourselves and learn.

“That's not happening. Now we have just over two weeks to really focus on ourselves."

Austin, meanwhile, have enjoyed a month-long break from competitive action, but entered their time away from the pitch by going three games without a victory (D1 L2).

The Verde and Black sit 10th in the Western Conference table, a point behind Minnesota United, having distanced themselves from the sides below them.

And head coach Josh Wolff believes the squad's period away from the MLS has been spent productively but insisted that his side must be more clinical in front of goal.

“The guys are in a very good place. The last five or six games have been indicative of what we are and what we can be,” Wolff said.

“We have played well over the last six or seven games but getting different results. The Leagues Cup competition was good for us as a collective.

“Ultimately the spirit of the group right now is in a good spot. We have to go there ready to compete. We know what our road form is like and we have to do the business in front of goal.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Nashville – Hany Mukhtar

Hany Mukhtar’s last three regular-season goals have all been scored from the penalty spot, with the last time he found the back of the net not from 12 yards coming in late April.

However, he has assisted on five of the 13 non-penalty goals Nashville have scored since he last struck from the spot. The German also has three goals in his three games against Austin.

Austin – Jader Obrian

After joining from FC Dallas at the end of last year, Jader Obrian has enjoyed a successful debut campaign for Austin.

Having not scored since their 1-1 draw with Los Angeles FC in June, the Colombian ended his scoring drought in the Leagues Cup against Monterrey, and he will be hopeful of reigniting that form upon his return to MLS action.

MATCH PREDICTION: NASHVILLE WIN

Nashville are unbeaten in three all-time meetings with Austin FC (W2 D1), including a pair of shutout wins in the two meetings between the sides on home turf.

But they have lost six straight regular-season matches, last earning a point in MLS play with a 1-0 win over New York City FC in June. The Coyotes had never lost more than four consecutive league matches before this run.

However, they face a side on a poor run of their own. Austin have managed just two wins in its last 11 league matches (D3 L6). Their 31 points through 25 games are the fewest at this stage of a season since its inaugural 2021 campaign (19).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Nashville – 43.8%

Draw – 26.8%

Austin – 29.4%

Pablo Mastroeni has backed new arrival Diogo Goncalves to mirror the impact of departed star Andres Gomez, as Real Salt Lake prepare to return to MLS action against the San Jose Earthquakes.

Real Salt Lake emerge from the Leagues Cup break third in the Western Conference standings, with only Inter Miami (56) bettering their 51 goals this season in MLS.

However, they must continue their playoff push without Gomez, who has joined French side Rennes after contributing seven goals and 13 assists in regular-season action this year.

The $11million fee RSL received for Gomez allowed them to strengthen in the transfer market, and Mastroeni feels Goncalves – brought in from Copenhagen – could replicate his impact.

"If I had to take a flier, I'd say Diogo is a top player. He has the pedigree of playing for some top clubs, he's an established player," Mastroeni told KSL Sports.

"All his attributes are extremely refined, he has an unbelievable eye for goal. I think he will be an important player for our team.

"He is the player I would say can be most equivalent to Andres Gomez in terms of his effect on the attacking side of our game."

While RSL are in the conversation to be top seeds, San Jose are propping up the Western Conference with just 14 points, some nine adrift of St. Louis City in 13th.

Interim boss Ian Russell acknowledges their postseason hopes are likely over and they are playing for pride, saying: "It's tough to make the playoffs right now. 

"The motivation for players should come from within as well. You can't always be the coach motivating them. 

"This is their job, they get paid to do this and they're playing for contracts as well. It's just pride — we need to win games."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Real Salt Lake – Cristian Arango

Arango leads the MLS scoring charts for 2024, with his 17 goals tied for the most by a Salt Lake player in a single regular season, alongside Alvaro Saborio in 2012.

His 28 total goal contributions this term, meanwhile, are the most by a player in a single campaign in RSL's MLS history.

San Jose Earthquakes – Gavin Beavers

The Earthquakes have conceded 61 goals through 25 matches this season, tied with the Tampa Bay Mutiny in 2001 for the most allowed at this stage of an MLS season. 

Only three teams have ever had a worse goal difference than San Jose's minus-30 at this stage of a season. Goalkeeper Beavers could be a busy man as he targets just his third clean sheet of the year.

MATCH PREDICTION: REAL SALT LAKE WIN

Real Salt Lake have won six of their last seven regular-season home matches (one defeat), scoring five goals in three of their last five at home after doing so just four times through the first 312 regular-season home games in their history.

They have also scored in each of their last 14 home matches against San Jose, their longest such streak against any opponent in their MLS history.

Meanwhile, only the 1999 MetroStars (nine) have ever had fewer points after 25 games of a season than San Jose this year (14, tied with three other teams). As just the second team in the post-shootout era to lose 19 of their first 25 games in a season, they are big outsiders.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Real Salt Lake – 64.8%

San Jose Earthquakes – 16.7%

Draw – 19.1%

Peter Luccin has likened training to a “new environment” as FC Dallas’ break from action has given a chance for injured players to return ahead of their clash with D.C. United.

Dallas fell to a disappointing group stage exit in the Leagues Cup but it could be a blessing in disguise for interim coach Luccin as it has allowed rest for an injury-hit squad.

Jesus Ferreira, Asier Illarramendi and Alan Vesco have all returned to action during the break.

Luccin feels those comebacks have sparked a change in attitude among his squad on the training ground.

“To have all of those players back is very important for us. That practice environment is good because everybody is pushing more, everybody wants to play,” he said. “All that new environment for us is beautiful. It's very good.”

Dallas' renewed impetus will also be aided by two new arrivals, right-back Ruan and midfielder Manuel Cafumana, who join Luccin’s roster.

Both sides remain within reach of the play-off positions in their respective leagues but Dallas will have to overturn pre-season form to earn all three points.

United claimed victory in a friendly in February, but Luccin is unfazed by their past encounter.

“A preseason game is totally different. You know the intensity isn’t the same. Everyone is coming and playing with heavier legs and there are no fans in the stadium,” insisted Luccin.

“We didn’t even talk about that game. I’m more concerned about what they did in their last three or four games.”

The Black-and-Red fared little better than Dallas in the Leagues Cup, losing in the round of 32 to Mazatlan. Prior to that, they had just secured their first two wins after going winless for eleven games.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

DC United – Christian Benteke

The Belgian striker is United’s top scorer this season with 16 goals to his name, 13 more than any of his team-mates.

He has scored seven headed goals this season, tied with Cristian Arango for the most in MLS in 2024.

Dallas – Petar Musa

Petar Musa has scored in each of his last four MLS appearances. The only FC Dallas player to score in five straight league matches in a single regular season since 2010 was Paul Arriola in 2022.

MATCH PREDICTION: DC UNITED WIN

Dallas are winless in 12 regular-season away matches in 2024 (D4 L8), the longest run without a win on the road in the club’s history. Along with St. Louis City SC, they are one of two teams without an away win this regular season.

In contrast to Dallas’ poor form, D.C. United recorded their first set of consecutive wins in a single regular season since a three-match winning run in April 2023 with their two recent wins. D.C. had won only two of their previous 17 regular-season matches before that.

This will be United’s first home match against FC Dallas since October 2018. D.C. won the last meeting between the sides, 1-0, in Dallas in 2023 but have not won consecutive regular-season matches against Dallas since 1999—2000 (three straight).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

DC United – 38.7%

Draw – 26.5%

Dallas – 34.7%

Oscar Pareja said allowing his Orlando City players to rest after their exit from the Leagues Cup was crucial ahead of resuming their MLS season against Sporting Kansas City this weekend.

The Lions were knocked out by Cruz Azul in the last 32 of the competition, losing in a penalty shootout at the Inter&Co Stadium following a goalless draw in normal time.

They return to league action having gone into the break five games unbeaten, sitting seventh in the Eastern Conference table heading into the final fixtures of the campaign.  

And Pareja is confident that their two-week break will have his side fit and firing for the business end of the season.

“We definitely have put in two weeks of hard work, but at the beginning of the first week we tried to rest a couple of our players,” Pareja said.

“After the amount of games we had, it was healthy for us to recover some of our players and then the rest of the time we have dedicated our time to recovering for our next games.”

Kansas City were also knocked out of the Leagues Cup at the last 32 stage, comfortably beaten by Columbus Crew, who play Los Angeles FC in the showpiece match this weekend.

They resume their league season sitting in 12th place in the Western Conference table, triumphing in two of their final four fixtures (D1 L1) before the break and closing the gap to FC Dallas.

Despite their heavy defeat in the Leagues Cup to the Crew, head coach Peter Vermes was able to pinpoint areas in which his side could improve upon their MLS return.

“I thought we did a really good job,” Vermes said of the team’s first period. “I thought tactically and work ethic-wise, we were very good.

"We didn’t provide them with a lot of options to play. A lot of balls went wide, and we forced them backward. I thought we did a great job of that.”

“We over-committed to one side, especially in our midfield,” Vermes said. “We didn’t have any pressure on the ball, and it was an easy run in behind us.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Kansas City – Willy Agada

Kansas’ leading marksman, Willy Agada, has five goals in his last seven appearances in all competitions, and he will be key to breaking Orlando’s winning run.

His strike against St. Louis City last time out was his 20th goal in the MLS since his move from Hapoel Jerusalem in 2022, reaching that tally in 51 appearances.

Orlando City – Martin Ojeda

Ojeda has contributed to a goal in each of his last six MLS appearances, equalling the longest single-season streak by an Orlando player.

This will be the Argentine’s first appearance against Kansas, and he will be looking to add to his 12 goal involvements in all competitions upon his return to league action.

MATCH PREDICTION: ORLANDO WIN

Orlando have won four of their last five regular season matches before the Leagues Cup break, with no team collecting more points than the Lions’ 13 in July, while they also led the MLS in goals scored (14) and were tied for the fewest conceded (three) last month.

Kansas City has won four of their last five home matches against MLS opposition in all competitions (D1), including a 2-1 win over Chicago in the Leagues Cup last month.

The last six meetings between the two sides have been split with each team winning twice and drawing twice. All four wins in that time were by one-goal margins, so expect a tightly contested affair at Children's Mercy Park.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Kansas City – 33.2%

Draw – 25.6%

Orlando City – 41.2%

Bradley Barcola is confident he can make a difference for Paris Saint-Germain this season in the absence of Kylian Mbappe after his brace against Montpellier. 

Barcola, who has three goals in two appearances already this season, starred for Luis Enrique's side during their 6-0 win in first home game of the new campaign. 

The 21-year-old opened the scoring at the Parc des Princes with a brilliantly taken finish from the left-hand side before completing his maiden brace of his career with a simple finish in the second half. 

Barcola registered the most shots (four) and touches in the opposition box (seven), while also contributing 1.17 expected goals (xG) to PSG's 3.9 total. 

He has now been involved in eight goals (five goals and three assists) in his last seven top-flight appearances for the club, and he is sure that this is his year to take centre stage. 

"I had a lot of fun, I felt free. The coach asked everyone to press together. You have to make a lot of effort, but you get used to it as you go along," Barcola said.

"I've realised that I can make a difference. Pushing the ball like that on the first goal is something I've been doing since I was very young."

PSG have now scored 10 goals in their opening two games of the league season, equalling their highest tally after two games played (10 also in 2022-23), all without last year's leading marksman Mbappe. 

Enrique's side managed 27 shots in their encounter with Montpellier, 11 of which were on target, something the Spaniard felt was coming after witnessing their ruthless streak in training. 

"I'm very happy because it's our first home game. We wanted to give the fans some joy. It was a perfect evening," Enrique said. 

"I felt it in training, the intensity of the pressing increased. We scored six goals but we could have scored 10. Today was our night... the players were incredible. It's a great feeling."

PSG continue their league campaign at the Stade Pierre Mauroy next week when they face Lille, who face Angers in their second game of the season on Saturday.

Sergi Roberto has completed a permanent transfer to newly-promoted Serie A side Como after ending his 14-year career with Barcelona in June. 

Roberto, who made 373 appearances for Barca, has signed a two-year contract as a free agent, linking up with Cesc Fabregas in Italy's top flight. 

He won 20 titles during his time in Catalonia, scoring 19 times, the most notable of which came in a dramatic win over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. 

Roberto was restricted to just 14 outings in LaLiga last season, but enjoyed his second-most prolific season for the club with three goals. 

The Spaniard becomes Como's 16th signing of the transfer window, with his versatility something Fabregas believes will be crucial in their survival this year. 

"Sergi has played his whole career so far at one of the best clubs in the world," Fabregas told the club website.

"He is a versatile player and can adapt to many different positions, midfield, full-back, with his passing accuracy and strength he is the definition of a box to box player.

"His experience will be crucial for the season ahead."

Bradley Barcola's first brace of his career helped Paris Saint-Germain maintain their winning start to the season as they thrashed Montpellier 6-0 on Friday.

Barcola opened the scoring in the fourth minute of the contest, with Marco Asensio doubling their advantage before the break. 

The 21-year-old continued the scoring eight minutes after the break, as Achraf Hakimi, Warren Zaire-Emery and Lee Kang-in completed a dominant display. 

It took four minutes for the first goal of the encounter as Barcola produced a fine finish, with Asensio adding their second after being picked out by Joao Neves. 

Despite momentarily halting the onslaught, Barcola increased PSG's advantage shortly after the break with a simple finish from Ousmane Demebele's pass. 

Hakimi netted the hosts' fourth with another fine finish, as Zaire-Emery got himself in on the act to strike beyond Benjamin Lecomte after a brilliant piece of skill.

Substitute Kang-in sealed the scoring eight minutes from time, sneaking a left-footed effort from the edge of the area in at Lecomte's near post. 

Data Debrief: Barcola starts for Parisians

PSG have now scored 10 goals in their last two league games, as life without Kylian Mbappe has got off to a flying start under Luis Enrique. 

Barcola showcased his undeniable talent during the contest, contributing 1.17 expected goals (xG) to PSG's 3.93 total - the highest of any player for the hosts. 

The winger has eight goal involvements (five goals, three assists) in his last seven top-flight appearances for PSG, two more than in his first 20 for the club. 

Florian Wirtz produced another late show for Bayer Leverkusen as the Bundesliga champions kickstarted their title defence with a dramatic 3-2 win over Borussia Monchengladbach.

Leverkusen looked set to start their campaign with a point, having seen Nico Elvedi and Tim Kleindienst cancel out Granit Xhaka and Wirtz’s first-half strikes.

However, as they showed last season on their way to a maiden Bundesliga crown, Wirtz struck in the 11th minute of injury time to extend their unbeaten league run.

Xabi Alonso's side were cruising at the break as Xhaka's stunning strike from distance was followed by Wirtz's first of the game seven minutes before the break. 

The hosts would draw level just before the hour-mark as Elvedi nodded the ball home after seeing his initial effort brilliantly kept out by Lukas Hradecky. 

And with the pressure mounting, Kleindienst marked his Monchengladbach debut with a goal five minutes from time. However, yet more drama would unfold. 

Leverkusen were awarded a late penalty for Ko Itakura's foul on substitute Amine Adli, with Wirtz seeing his spot-kick saved, only to follow up on the rebound. 

Data Debrief: New season, same old Leverkusen

Leverkusen continue to keep fans across the globe on the edge of their seats, with Alonso's side now unbeaten in their last 35 Bundesliga matches. 

After scoring 18 goals last season, Wirtz started the campaign with a brace, with his two goals taking his total for Die Werkself to 43 in 154 appearances. 

He also became the fifth Leverkusen player, after Christian Schreier, Ulf Kirsten, Bernd Schneider and Stefan Kießling, to score in two consecutive opening matches of a Bundesliga campaign.

Brenden Aaronson and Daniel James struck either side of half-time to secure Leeds United's first win of the new season, beating Sheffield Wednesday 2-0 on Friday. 

Aaronson notched his second league goal of the season early on, before James sealed the victory with a fine finish for his 30th goal involvement for the club. 

The visitors started brightly at Hillsborough as Mateo Joseph was the first to test James Beadle inside the opening five minutes of the contest. 

And their attacking persistence was rewarded in the 24th minute when Aaronson swept a left-footed effort home after Joseph had been fouled inside the penalty area. 

Despite registering seven shots in the first 45 minutes, the visitors were unable to increase their advantage, but it didn't take long to claim that two-goal cushion. 

Joseph, once again the architect, saw his cutting pass pick out James, who sprinted clear of the Owls' defence before delicately lobbing the ball over Beadle. 

The Welshman's strike was the second goal Leeds have scored in the first 15 minutes of the second half in the Championship this season, with only Watford (three) bettering that total thus far. 

Leeds' triumph moved them up into fourth in the early season standings ahead of tomorrow's Championship action.

Data Debrief: Joseph inspires Leeds victory

Going into the encounter, Leeds had failed to win their last four Championship games, but their star quality at the top end of the pitch shone through. 

Despite not getting on the scoresheet, Joseph was the standout performer for Farke's side and looked a fitting replacement for the gap left by Georginio Rutter. 

The Spaniard registered the most shots (four) and touches in the opposition box (seven), producing an expected goals (xG) of 0.3, a total only bettered by James (0.46). 

Jordan Ayew has become Leicester City's seventh signing of the transfer window after his move from Crystal Palace was confirmed on Friday. 

Ayew, who made 212 appearances for the Eagles, arrives in the East Midlands for an initial £5million fee, potentially rising to £7.5million dependent on performances.

The 32-year-old offers Steve Cooper another experienced head in the forward areas alongside Jamie Vardy as the Foxes prepare to take on Fulham this Saturday. 

Ayew has featured 275 times in the Premier League for three different teams, scoring more English top flight goals for Palace (23) than he managed for any other club. 

He featured 37 times for the Eagles last season, registering 11 goal involvements (four goals and seven assists), with his assist tally the highest in the Palace side. 

"I’m very happy to be here and I’m proud. I want to thank the Club as they fought hard to bring me here – it happened quickly and I’m so happy to be here," Ayew said. 

“As a player, when you hear that the manager wants you, it just makes you want to come and work under him and to try to improve.

"Even though I’m 32, as a player you always want to learn and improve. I’m here to work hard and help the team achieve their targets.”

Jonathan Rowe has completed a season-long loan move to Ligue 1 side Marseille after a breakthrough campaign with Norwich in the Championship.

Rowe, who made 56 appearances for the Canaries in all competitions, has signed an initial loan deal with an option to buy for £17million. 

After coming through the club's academy, Rowe made his Norwich debut in a 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in the Premier League back in December 2021. 

But the 21-year-old established himself as a regular under David Wagner last season, netting 12 times in 32 league outings as the Canaries reached the play-offs.

His 36 completed dribbles was a total only bettered by Gabriel Sara (40) and Borja Sainz (43) in the Norwich squad, while he also created 24 chances for his side.

Rowe becomes Roberto De Zerbi's 11th signing of the transfer window, offering the former Brighton manager another creative option in the final third.  

Marseille started their Ligue 1 campaign with an impressive 5-1 away win over Brest last week, and welcome Reims to the Stade Velodrome on Sunday. 

Conor Gallagher is already feeling at home after swapping Chelsea for Atletico Madrid, having received a rousing welcome at his unveiling at the Civitas Metropolitano on Friday.

Gallagher, who joined Chelsea at the age of six, left in a €42million (£35.5m) deal on Wednesday, penning a five-year deal with LaLiga giants Atleti.

The 24-year-old joined Atleti's other new signings – including former Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez – in being presented to fans at Los Colchoneros' stadium on Friday.

Speaking after the event, the England international said: "It was amazing, I enjoyed every minute, it was a good sign of what is to come from the fans.

"They made me feel at home and it gave me a lot of excitement to be able to play the games in this stadium and give everything in every game."

Gallagher's move to Spain was initially delayed due to the collapse of a transfer that would have taken Samu Omorodion in the other direction, only for Joao Felix's return to Stamford Bridge to facilitate an agreement.

Gallagher was always confident things would work out, saying: "I wanted to come to the club and I saw the club wanted me too. 

"I knew it was going to work out and I'm very happy."

The midfielder then added that Atletico coach Diego Simeone was a major reason for his determination to seal the move.

"He's one of the best in the world and I'm really looking forward to playing for him," Gallagher said.

"I think I fit in quite well with the way he plays and he appreciates that I give my all. These first few days have been difficult, it's very hot, but I'm going to get used to it.

"I'm very excited about all of this, not just playing for this great club. Playing in a different country, living in a different country... 

"I have to learn Spanish quickly because it will help me and my coach in everything I do on the pitch." 

Antonio Conte redirected focus from the transfer market to Napoli's first home game of the season as they aim to get their campaign back on track.

Conte, who took charge of Gli Azzurri in June, watched on as his side lost 3-0 to Hellas Verona last week, prompting questions about the club's ambitions in the market.

The club have made four signings so far, with their most recent addition coming earlier this week as David Neres joined from Benfica in a £23.8million deal. 

Napoli are also in talks to sign Chelsea's Romelu Lukaku, with striker Victor Osimhen reportedly going the other way. 

However, Conte was in no mood to talk about potential incomings ahead of facing Bologna this weekend, saying: "Let's redirect the press conference immediately.

"Last week we had a press conference where we spoke only about the transfer market.

"I received zero questions about Verona, or maybe one. There was no talk of football, and then what happened, happened.

"Regarding the market you need to ask the club, but I see you are quite informed because I also read about it through you.

"Let's focus everything around the game, it's more important for me."

Napoli are aiming to improve on their 10th place finish in Serie A last season, having won the Scudetto the previous year under Luciano Spalletti. 

But their wastefulness in front of goal proved costly against Verona, with only four of their 14 shots on target at the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi. 

During the 2023-24 campaign, they scored 55 goals, 34 fewer than champions Inter and 22 less than they managed during their title-winning season. 

Conte had previously mentioned the need for reconstruction at the club, with their defeat against Verona underlining their areas for improvement. 

"Maybe it was good that this blow came immediately, it brought us back to reality, me, the club and fans, the players perhaps," Conte said.

"What makes me happy is to have perceived that the players understood what happened, I saw in them great motivation to start again and get out of these difficulties.

"When things go well, everyone is good. In difficulties, you see real men. We can also lose, but not in that way."

Napoli's defeat in their first Serie A match of the season was their first since the 2015-16 campaign, and only once in the three points for a win era have they registered two losses in their first two league games (2000-01 under Zdenek Zeman). 

And Conte faces a difficult task to get their first points on the board, with Bologna, who qualified for the Champions League last year, the visitors to Naples. 

But the 55-year-old Italian was keen to put their opening day humbling behind them and focus on putting things right on home soil. 

"I understand the difficulties, the second half in Verona can leave an aftermath, but we don't have time, not on the pitch and not in the stands," he said.

"There is an important game, three points, and all of us have to send a signal."