Latest news with #Kvara
The Herald Scotland
12-05-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Napoli's Scott McTominay compared to Pulp Fiction fixer Winston Wolf
However, they had relied heavily on the supremely gifted winger, a former Serie A Most Valuable Player and Champions League Young Player of the Season, up until that stage. Many predicted that a collapse lay ahead. Sure enough, a five match winless run soon followed and Antonio Conte's out-of-sorts side surrendered top spot and tumbled down the table. Napoli, though, have recovered from that slump in form in impressive fashion in recent weeks and currently sit three points ahead of Inter with just three games remaining. So how have they turned things around and atoned for the loss of their talisman against all the odds? Read more: Fabio Mandarini, the Napoli correspondent of respected Italian sports newspaper Corriere dello Sport, believes their Scottish duo Billy Gilmour and Scott McTominay, who only arrived last summer from Brighton and Manchester United respectively, have been key to the unexpected comeback and must accept much of the praise for the unexpected revival in fortunes. "Both of them have been fundamental to the position that Napoli are in,' said Mandarini. 'They have brought attitude, mentality, technique and tactical nous. They both have enormous personality. And they have increased the athleticism, intensity and pace in the side. 'In Italy just now, there are few players like Gilmour and McTominay. They have brought Premier League quality to an already very strong group. They have raised the level of internal competitiveness in the squad and ensured they are better equipped to compete with top class opponents like Inter. 'They are both really exceptional professionals. I don't know what would have happened without them. But one thing is for certain - it is far better to have them in the Napoli team.' (Image: Getty Images) Mandarini added, 'When Kvara left in January, I must admit that I expected difficulties. I thought that replacing him would be very difficult. McTominay was the one who managed to atone for the absence of Kvara more than anyone else with his goals, with his decisive goals. 'There was an enormous void in the attack and the responsibility to pitch in with the goals that Kvara supplied fell on the shoulders of [Romelu] Lukaku, who is a centre forward. But it was actually McTominay who stepped up provided them and showed that he is a total midfielder. 'Billy played an important role too because other players were sidelined at the same time. He managed to atone for the absence of first [Stanislav] Lobotka and then of [Frank] Anguissa. Those were very difficult tasks. Anguissa especially is a real totem for the team. But Billy managed it on both occasions. 'He has quality, intelligence, intensity and geometry. He plays vertically. But, like McTominay, he is very good in the defensive phase. On top of all that, he has personality beyond his 23 years. He is a modern and complete footballer. "The Napoli fans think they're both great. They're in love with Billy and Scott and it's easy to understand why. They give everything on the pitch, they never stop, they're decisive. They're perfectly behaved away from the pitch as well.' Read more: The impact which the Scotland internationalists have made in Italy this season has been an uplifting story and Napoli fans are now hoping the dynamic duo will be able to help their heroes writing an exciting final chapter. Mandarini knows that McTominay has been the main character and compares him to both a secret agent in a cult 1980s television show and an organised crime fixer in an Oscar-winning 1990s movie due to his extraordinary ability to successfully address whatever complex issues his manager has been confronted with. (Image: Getty Images) 'He reminds me of MacGyver or Winston Wolf in the Quentin Tarantino film Pulp Fiction,' he said. 'Because he solves problems, he can do everything. 'Conte can change the formation easily because Scott guarantees both the offensive and defensive phases. But he scores goals and provides assists. He wins his duels and dominates in the air. He has an extraordinary impact athletically. When everyone in the team is tired, he still runs hard. 'He is a top player. He has been the greatest transfer buy in Italian football, not just for Napoli, this season. He has been the difference, he has been deciding factor in the matches. He can decide the Scudetto.'
The National
12-05-2025
- Sport
- The National
Napoli's Scott McTominay compared to Pulp Fiction fixer Winston Wolf
They may have been four points clear of their nearest rivals Inter Milan courtesy of a five match winning run at the time the Georgian internationalist departed for the French capital. However, they had relied heavily on the supremely gifted winger, a former Serie A Most Valuable Player and Champions League Young Player of the Season, up until that stage. Many predicted that a collapse lay ahead. Sure enough, a five match winless run soon followed and Antonio Conte's out-of-sorts side surrendered top spot and tumbled down the table. Napoli, though, have recovered from that slump in form in impressive fashion in recent weeks and currently sit three points ahead of Inter with just three games remaining. So how have they turned things around and atoned for the loss of their talisman against all the odds? Read more: Fabio Mandarini, the Napoli correspondent of respected Italian sports newspaper Corriere dello Sport, believes their Scottish duo Billy Gilmour and Scott McTominay, who only arrived last summer from Brighton and Manchester United respectively, have been key to the unexpected comeback and must accept much of the praise for the unexpected revival in fortunes. "Both of them have been fundamental to the position that Napoli are in,' said Mandarini. 'They have brought attitude, mentality, technique and tactical nous. They both have enormous personality. And they have increased the athleticism, intensity and pace in the side. 'In Italy just now, there are few players like Gilmour and McTominay. They have brought Premier League quality to an already very strong group. They have raised the level of internal competitiveness in the squad and ensured they are better equipped to compete with top class opponents like Inter. 'They are both really exceptional professionals. I don't know what would have happened without them. But one thing is for certain - it is far better to have them in the Napoli team.' (Image: Getty Images) Mandarini added, 'When Kvara left in January, I must admit that I expected difficulties. I thought that replacing him would be very difficult. McTominay was the one who managed to atone for the absence of Kvara more than anyone else with his goals, with his decisive goals. 'There was an enormous void in the attack and the responsibility to pitch in with the goals that Kvara supplied fell on the shoulders of [Romelu] Lukaku, who is a centre forward. But it was actually McTominay who stepped up provided them and showed that he is a total midfielder. 'Billy played an important role too because other players were sidelined at the same time. He managed to atone for the absence of first [Stanislav] Lobotka and then of [Frank] Anguissa. Those were very difficult tasks. Anguissa especially is a real totem for the team. But Billy managed it on both occasions. 'He has quality, intelligence, intensity and geometry. He plays vertically. But, like McTominay, he is very good in the defensive phase. On top of all that, he has personality beyond his 23 years. He is a modern and complete footballer. "The Napoli fans think they're both great. They're in love with Billy and Scott and it's easy to understand why. They give everything on the pitch, they never stop, they're decisive. They're perfectly behaved away from the pitch as well.' Read more: The impact which the Scotland internationalists have made in Italy this season has been an uplifting story and Napoli fans are now hoping the dynamic duo will be able to help their heroes writing an exciting final chapter. Mandarini knows that McTominay has been the main character and compares him to both a secret agent in a cult 1980s television show and an organised crime fixer in an Oscar-winning 1990s movie due to his extraordinary ability to successfully address whatever complex issues his manager has been confronted with. (Image: Getty Images) 'He reminds me of MacGyver or Winston Wolf in the Quentin Tarantino film Pulp Fiction,' he said. 'Because he solves problems, he can do everything. 'Conte can change the formation easily because Scott guarantees both the offensive and defensive phases. But he scores goals and provides assists. He wins his duels and dominates in the air. He has an extraordinary impact athletically. When everyone in the team is tired, he still runs hard. 'He is a top player. He has been the greatest transfer buy in Italian football, not just for Napoli, this season. He has been the difference, he has been deciding factor in the matches. He can decide the Scudetto.'
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pundit praises ‘brave' Fabregas, but Napoli collapse without Kvaratskhelia
Napoli's attacking stats have drastically worsened since Khvicha Kvaratskhelia joined PSG, but 'Italian pundits still praised brave' Como coach Cesc Fabregas after a 2-1 win over the Partenopei. Napoli faced their first defeat in 13 away games on Sunday, suffering a 2-1 loss at Como. The Partenopei relied on David Neres to replace Kvaratskhelia in January, but the Brazilian winger's injury has forced Antonio Conte to switch to a three-man defence. 'Raspadori is at ease in a 3-5-2 system, but you lose Politano because he must defend across the whole flank,' Italy and Inter legend Beppe Bergomi told Sky Sport. 'Napoli's first half was good. Really good. The wingers always played high up the pitch, there was big pressure. 'Como changed something in the opening 20 minutes of the second half; they were more aggressive. Napoli suffered, but they hit back and created their chances. The goalkeeper made a great save on McTominay,' continued Bergomi. 'Fabregas was brave with substitutions because he introduced a striker for a midfield and scored at that moment.' Former Juventus midfielder Giancarlo Marocchi argued that Romelu Lukaku's poor performances in recent weeks have affected the Partenopei. 'Right now, he isn't doing enough,' said the ex-Italian midfielder. 'Right now, we would expect something more.' Sky Sport also showed a list of attacking stats comparing the first part of the season with Kvara on the team, to recent matches without the Georgian. With Kvara among their ranks, Napoli were third in Serie A for goals scored, expected goals and chances created. They had more goal attempts and shots on target than any other team in the league and were second for touches inside the opponents' box. Their attacking stats drastically worsened without Kvaratskhelia, with Napoli sitting 14th for average expected goals (0.85), 16th for goal attempts (9.40), and 15th for big chances created (1.21).
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Today's Papers – Milan Paradise, Inter want to fly in Florence
Inter try to fly In Florence the game suspended for Bove: they restart from 0-0 at minute 17 (20:45) Coppa Italia quarter-final, Roma beaten (3-1) New Milan paradise Joao Felix enters and it's a show: gol from Gimenez assist to send San Siro wild. Abraham brace Juve, Champions list: Costa out, Kolo Muani in Italiano and Castro go faster than Motta and Zirkzee Devil of an ex Coppa Italia: two goals from Tammy, it ends 3-1 for the Rossoneri Roma make gifts, ruthless Abraham, Milan in the semis Great performance from the Englishman on loan from the Giallorossi. Ranieri makes three substitutions at minute 45. Pellegrini, Rensch and Dovbyk in, then Joao Felix's magic. Now Inter or Lazio. Inter for the hooking, but Viola have the fourth gear On the pitch at the Franchi for 74 minutes, they restart from 0-0 after Bove's collapse. Kean wants to catch Lazio in the fourth spot. Lautaro to catch Napoli at 54 points. Thiago Motta, 234m to monetize The club had never invested so much in recent years. A Champions League spot is more than an obligation Napoli's treasures: King Conte and 150m From the untouchable Antonio to the money for Kvara and Osimhen. A super market in July, Manna harsh on Kvara. Cesc, like Juve? Fabregas' claims cause a debate Tomorrow's game under a new angle that involves the record market and a new stadium: 'The Bianconeri and us have similar projects, we both rely on young players to develop, but they are a top side with a top coach.' Lista Champions, new coup Alberto Costa out. Inter in Florence against Conte 'Napoli almost blackmailed for Kvara' Milan Felix, goodbye Roma Abraham brace, the new signing kills off the game after Dovbyk's goal. Debuts for Gimenez and Sottil. Conceiçao waits to Inter or Lazio.
