Team News: Gonzalo Higuain starts for Napoli

Napoli have named Gonzalo Higuain in the starting lineup for their Serie A clash with Sassuolo this evening.

The 27-year-old has been linked with an exit from the Stadio San Paolo this summer, but he leads the attack, with Dries Mertens, Lorenzo Insigne and Marek Hamsik providing the support.

New manager Maurizio Sarri is taking charge of his first match and he has handed debuts to his former Empoli players Mirko Valdifiori and Elseid Hysaj.

Former Tottenham Hotspur defender Vlad Chiriches also makes the starting XI, while Pepe Reina is selected in goal following his return from Bayern Munich.

Meanwhile, Gregoire Defrel starts for Sassuolo after his recent transfer from Cesena, with Domenico Berardi joining him in the attack.

Sassuolo: Consigli; Vrsaljko, Peluso, Acerbi, Cannavaro; Magnanelli, Missiroli, Duncan, Floro Flores; Berardi, Defrel Subs: Pegolo, Pomini, Longhi, Laribi, Fontanesi, Gazzola, Terranova, Pellegrini, Biondini, Politano, Sansone, Falcinelli

Napoli: Reina; Maggio, Albiol, Chiriches, Hysaj; Lopez, Valdifiori, Hamsik, Insigne, Mertens; Higuain Subs: Rafael, Gabriel, Strinic, Henrique, Luperto, Allan, Jorginho, Dezi, Koulibaly, Kaddouri, Callejon, Gabbiadini