Napoli: Conte welcomes back Di Lorenzo, eyes McTominay for Genoa | OneFootball

After the Champions League victory against Sporting Lisbon, Antonio Conte's Napoli is preparing for the next Serie A challenge against Genoa.

Napoli, Conte reunites with Di Lorenzo and aims to relaunch McTominay: Genoa is the goal

A match that marks the return to the field of captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo and represents a crucial moment for the relaunch of Scott McTominay, still far from the extraordinary levels of last season.

Conte changes for Europe, but now continuity in the league is needed

Against the Portuguese, Conte made a broad turnover, fielding only six title holders from the first minute. The rest of the team saw the new arrivals as protagonists: Milinkovic-Savic in goal, Beukema and Gutierrez in defense, while De Bruyne and Hojlund led the team with decisive plays. A necessary revolution, as the coach pointed out, to balance the schedule and recover energy in view of a long and demanding season.

Di Lorenzo's return

For the match against Genoa, Conte will be able to count on Giovanni Di Lorenzo again, who was absent in the Champions League due to suspension. The Azzurri captain is a fundamental piece not only for the back department, but also for the tactical and psychological balance of the team. His presence will guarantee greater defensive solidity and a constant push on the right flank, always one of Napoli's most important weapons.

McTominay, 503 minutes without a goal: Conte wants a relaunch

If Di Lorenzo is ready to resume his natural place, Conte's other priority is to bring Scott McTominay back to his best. The Scotsman, the absolute protagonist of the last championship with 13 goals and 6 assists in the 4-3-3, has struggled to find the right place in the new 4-1-4-1. The change of module has penalized him, reducing the spaces for the insertions that had made him devastating in the past season.

The last goal dates back to August 23 against Sassuolo, on the first day of Serie A. Since then, 503 minutes without goals: an unusual fast for a midfielder who was among the most decisive in the past championship. Conte, aware of his value, is working to restore his confidence and centrality in the tactical project.

Towards Napoli-Genoa: the point

The return of Di Lorenzo and the progressive recovery of McTominay are the keys on which Conte intends to build the next challenge at the Diego Armando Maradona. After the misstep with Milan and the European success, Napoli wants to find continuity also in the league to consolidate its top ambitions.

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