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New Straits Times
23-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Conte calls for focus as Napoli bid to clinch title
NAPOLI manager Antonio Conte called for calm heads when his team bid to clinch the Serie title on Friday, underlining his deep sense of responsibility to the city even though he will be watching from the stands due to suspension. Napoli are one point ahead of Inter Milan in the standings going into the last game of the season at home to Cagliari. "We have come through a very demanding season and clearly this could be the last match that closes a season for me in a new place, a new environment, where we obviously feel the responsibility to give Naples, the fans, something beautiful and historic," Conte told reporters on Thursday. The manager will not be on the bench after emotions ran high in the scoreless draw against Parma last time out with Conte and Parma coach Cristian Chivu involved in a shouting match and sent off at the end of the game. "I regret not being there. After a season like this, you want to be there, with your fans, to lead the team," Conte said. "There is great trust in my staff, as always, in the fans, in the atmosphere that will be there, and even if I will be in the stands, my heart will be there. "We have had everything from them (fans), closeness in positive moments and in negative moments when we faltered a bit. They immediately had faith in the whole group. What I feel like saying is to continue being who they are." Conte said he will treat the Cagliari match like a normal game. "Tomorrow there is Cagliari, a good team, and we have to play our game respecting the opponent 100%. If we respect them, we will have more chances to win," Conte said. "We know very well that the work has brought us here today to talk about something special. We have to try to finish the job." — REUTERS
The Sun
04-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Scott McTominay helps put Napoli one step closer to historic Serie A title as Billy Gilmour plays cameo role
NAPOLI are one step closer to winning the Scudetto after a narrow victory over struggling Lecce. And Scotland hero Scott McTominay was once again at the heart of the action. 2 2 The former Manchester United midfielder has been a revelation in Serie A since his move from Old Trafford to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona for £25m in the summer. He broke a 63-year-old record last weekend by scoring his 11th and 12th goals from Napoli in a defeat of Torino, the most for a Scot in a single season in Italy since the King himself, Denis Law. The 28-year-old has truly endeared himself to the Naples faithful, earning himself a new nickname and becoming so popular that fans have gotten tattoos in his honour. McTominay played the full 90 minutes in this evening's win over Lecce, as Napoli came out on top 1-0 at the Stadio Via del Mare. It was a nervier night than Antonio Conte perhaps expected, with Giacomo Raspadori's 23rd minute goal the only one of the contest. The away side were in control for most of the match but couldn't find that elusive second goal and there were hearts in the mouths when a late cross almost crept in at the back post for the hosts. McTominay's fellow Scotland international, Billy Gilmour, came on as a sub in the second half after nine minutes and helped to see out the game. The result puts Napoli six points clear of Inter Milan, who were the previous favourites for the title. But they've stumbled of late and Simone Inzaghi's side have the small matter of a winner-takes-all Champions League semi-final against Barcelona to come soon too. Inter are still to play this weekend as they take on Verona at the San Siro. Victory for the Nerazzurri would reduce the deficit to three points with three games to go in the title race. Napoli fan gets incredible Scott McTominay tattoo with permanent nod to Scotland hero's bizarre new nickname If Napoli do go on to win the Scudetto, it would repeat the feat they achieved in the Maradona era, when the club claimed two titles within three years. Conte had been speaking about McTominay's spectacular form since arriving in Italy prior to today's match. He said: "He feels more complete and knowledgeable and he's reaching a key stage in his career where he needs to decide his direction. He never had a primary role at Man United, while here we gave him one. "He's worked hard and now he's a complete player. His improvement has been shared by the whole team. Otherwise, it would be hard to explain how we've earned 74 points." Conte also said: "We know it would be exceptional (if we won Serie A), but we haven't done anything yet. I know football well and we need to remain focused. "I've won a few Scudetti and right now we're trying to do something unimaginable, incredible, something that could definitely bring huge excitement to the club and the city."
