Success suffered in Monza, always decisive MCTominay but to discuss the words of Conte remain who does not read criticism of the club and who scares the fans thinking about the future
If Napoli celebrates the fourth Scudetto of its history, he will have to thank Scott Mctominay and his goals. The Scottish is fueling the Neapolitan dream to the sound of goals: that of Monza was the number 9 of a striker’s championship starting from midfield, record in the career of markings per single season. Goals that must be weighed in importance, not only counted, because since the beginning of February Antonio Conte’s team has lost brilliance and it is MCTominay’s shots that cover the difficulties.
The question is: why did Napoli have so unloaded in the second half of a season in which he was able to concentrate from December onwards on single goal? Legitimate doubt by observing the lack of freshness that obliges to play only a part of the races: either the first, falling in the second half, or traveling with a march less along all ninety minutes. One response may find himself in the way his coach managed a short squad compared to the competition, but still sufficient to play much less games. Just take Gilmour, now added and literally forgotten on the bench from the 13th to the 26th day, a period during which he took the field for only 20 minutes.
The explanation, however, can be more philosophical. Conte thinks he has a limited group of players that he trusts and struggles to get out of those, with the result of having tired them more than lawful. Of these, MCTominay has become the technical and emotional leader of the team especially after a January market experienced as an injustice by the technician and beyond. The departure of Kvaratsckhelia, replaced in extremis only by Okafor, has not been digested and represents for everyone a wound that does not heal.
And here we get to the most environmental theme. Also on the eve of the trip to Monza was lived in an atmosphere of psychodrama with the words of Conte (“I do not deny anything what I said in July, but in eight months I understood that here there are things that cannot be done”) played as a complaint of the farewell and the response of De Laurentiis (“certain reflections create discomfort, better to make them at the end of the season”) which seemed to be a distance point.
It is not said that Conte really wants to leave, but it is certain that the permanence of the long contract and the fact that he has found himself very well, is not obvious. Just follow the thread of his reasoning, repeated also in the post game: “People want to win, have ambition and therefore there is great opening on my part under all points of view, then we will have to see reality which it will be. Great opening because, I repeat, in Naples I am fine. I found a square that gives me emotion and this is very important. Who takes me, however I carry expectations. Whoever takes Conte says’ or arrives first, even if you arrive in tenth. Europe, ambitions and expectations grow.
Clear no? All this while the real pressure should perceive it Simone Inzaghi who in Bologna takes the field with the Passionate Napoli and the labors of the Champions League to manage. A huge effort with the paradox that seems more serene to the opponent who is competing for him by the Scudetto.
