CorSport – Napoli: Conte left with just McTominay, must protect him | OneFootball

CorSport – Napoli, Conte Bereft of the “Fab4”: Only McTominay Remains and Must Be Preserved…

Of the Fab Four, he is the last man standing, the highlander of Antonio Conte at the crucial moment of the season with matches every three days, the return of the Champions League, the top of Serie A to secure, and the Super Cup to try to conquer. Scott McTominay is the survivor of Napoli's midfield, the showpiece department of the summer that has gradually crumbled, from De Bruyne to Lobotka, passing through Gilmour and Anguissa, all out – except for Lobo – at least until the end of the year (2025) which is about to conclude. For Stani, it's a two-week stop and a return for Riyadh, but in the meantime, the absence is significant and will be felt. For McT, a way must be found to preserve and protect him from the pitfalls and unforeseen events that are affecting Napoli's season.

Conte has only him now, with Elmas and Vergara completing the minimal choices in the crucial area of the field. Tomorrow, it's Juve, Wednesday Mourinho's Benfica in Lisbon, next Sunday Udinese: three more matches in eight days and Scott is already ready for overtime, nothing different from what he has always done but with the difference that this time he will be the special guest in the heart of the field, the leader to whom even more effort will be asked and, above all, to self-protect and preserve himself to avoid suddenly being without him too. A load of responsibility that brings much honor for a player nonetheless irreplaceable who even this year, like last season, is among Conte's workhorses – second behind Di Lorenzo – in every area of the field, wherever needed. Upon his arrival, he started as a second striker, then a mezzala, then even a false winger. But he has always been Scott, with his runs, Premier League physicality, and a concreteness that still surprises today.

After the break, with the change of formation and the switch to 3-4-2-1, McTominay moved back from an inside role to a central midfielder. Different tasks, the usual contribution, and a confidence with the opponent's goal secured: assist for Neres against Atalanta, a goal and a half against Qarabag, and another stellar performance at the Olimpico where he ran more than anyone (over 12 kilometers) with bursts, sprints, and recoveries dominating against Cristante and Koné, proudly displaying the MVP label of the last championship won not only for the twelve goals but for an impactful presence, a giant capable of standing out every time.

But McT is many things at once. For now, like a year ago but behind Lukaku who is now missing, he is the team's top scorer with five goals this season. He remains – with Hojlund, Anguissa, and De Bruyne right behind at four – the scoring reference for Napoli, the false nine in the playmaker role with a keen sensitivity for the goal. Conte knows he cannot do without him, especially now that he finds himself without his initial idea, the one formed in the summer. They were called the Fab Four, representing the tactical breakthrough, but they lasted too little: it was chance, bad luck, and a series of unforeseen events that shuffled the cards at Conte's table. In a few months, everything has changed, but fortunately, there is a constant: Scott. Who, by the way, has never scored against Juve. Good to know.

Carlo Gioia

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.