ROME — In the midst of a challenging period for Napoli when they seemed to be losing their grip on the title and struggling for goals, coach Antonio Conte had a candid conversation with midfielder Scott McTominay, urging him to elevate his performance.
McTominay clearly took the message to heart. The Scottish midfielder headed in a late goal to edge Napoli past bottom-placed Monza with a 1-0 victory on Saturday, thereby drawing level on points with Serie A leaders Inter Milan. This goal marked his third in just two matches.
In the 72nd minute, McTominay skillfully maneuvered to head in a cross from Giacomo Raspadori, marking his tenth goal in all competitions for Napoli this season.
“We need to keep on performing, keep winning. As the season’s end draws near, that’s crucial,” McTominay explained. “We have a demanding coach who expects us to maintain high standards every game. Our focus is on putting pressure on Inter Milan and seeing how it plays out.”
Napoli found itself in difficulty for extended sections of the game, with Matteo Politano missing a crucial opportunity shortly before McTominay sealed the win.
“These games seem manageable on paper, yet the stakes make the pressure immense,” Conte remarked.
This victory puts additional stress on Inter Milan, who are set to play against a strong Bologna side on Sunday.
“Being in the title race with Inter is both surprising and remarkable,” Conte noted. “Our aim is to continue challenging them.”
With only five more rounds of matches remaining after this weekend, McTominay stressed the importance of maintaining high-level performances in the final stretch: “At the end of the day, winning is all that matters.”
McTominay joined Napoli in August from Manchester United for a transfer fee of 30.5 million euros ($35 million). His imposing presence at 1.93 meters (6-foot-4) has been a significant asset in the Italian league.
Just last Monday, McTominay scored twice in a 3-0 triumph over Empoli, ending a two-month goal drought for Napoli, which had included a winless run throughout February.
“His contributions are invaluable. He’s an incredible player, but we were already aware of that,” stated Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo. “What might have taken us by surprise is the immediate impact he’s had. We’re privileged to have him. He’s an exceptional young man.”
Raspadori injected energy into Napoli’s play after coming on in the second half, also setting up Politano’s chance.
Napoli is on the hunt for its second Serie A title in just three years, rebounding from a tenth-place finish last season.
**Como Nears Safety**
Earlier in the day, Como, sitting in 13th place, achieved a convincing 3-0 victory over relegation-threatened Lecce, marking their third consecutive win. This performance virtually guarantees that Cesc Fabregas’ team will remain in the top tier for a second consecutive season, something they have not accomplished since the 1980s.
Promising Argentine talent Nico Paz contributed significantly, setting up Como’s first goal by Assane Diao. Edoardo Goldaniga further extended their lead with a header, and Diao added another in stoppage time.
Lecce remains precariously above the relegation zone by just two points.
Meanwhile, Roma prepared to host Hellas Verona with an ambition to prolong their impressive 16-match unbeaten streak.