Napoli went three points clear of reigning Serie A champions Inter Milan, following a convincing 2-0 victory against Torino. Both goals came courtesy of Scott McTominay, who has now scored 5 goals in his last three matches, and is leading a title charge for Antonio Conte’s side.
With four matches remaining, Napoli have a possible advantage over Inter, that goes beyond the three-point gap. Napoli have a seemingly easier set of fixtures, with Inter needing to face sides including Lazio, and Como. Inter are still contending with the Champions League, having reached the semi-finals, where they face Barcelona. If Napoli are to keep going, and come out of this season as champions, McTominay will surely be integral.
McTominay has already provided 12 goals in all competitions, which is especially respectable for a midfielder. These goals have also been pivotal; on top of the goals recently scored in the title run-in, goals have come against both Inter, and Atalanta. 7 of McTominay’s 11 league goals opening the scoring in respective matches, whilst 4 goals also proved to be the only goal of the match.
This has been McTominay’s most productive season to date, topping last season’s total of 10 goals when still playing for Manchester United, where Erik ten Hag deployed him in a more advanced role. That would make 22 goals since the start of last season, compared to 19 goals across the seven seasons prior to that.
So why is McTominay scoring more goals than ever before?
Napoli began the season playing a 3-4-3 shape synonymous with Conte since his time at Chelsea. But the arrival of McTominay played its part in switching to a 4-3-3. Playing as an ‘8’ in said 4-3-3 mostly, though sometimes in a 3-5-2 as well, McTominay has licence to advance forward from midfield. He marauds via the channels, and makes late runs into the penalty-area, latching onto crosses, cut backs, and loose balls, subsequently converting from close range. McTominay anticipates deliveries, and has the physicality to hold off pressure in tight situations, meaning he gets to the ball first.
Conte adopted his set-up to suit the needs of the players, but in an official club interview upon his arrival last summer, McTominay noted the tactical intricacies of Italian football are that much more prominent, and need to be studied, and that “If you train properly, look after yourself and are willing to learn, then you can adapt quickly to the way the coach wants you to play.”
Napoli build from the back, with the ball often being sent to the flanks, where Napoli from combinations, and attack. The wide players are key to bringing the ball forward. The wingers in particular push high up, and can dribble down the outside and supply a cut back, or a low driven ball across the box. If the winger cuts inside, they can send an in-swinging delivery to the far post. Although the attack has been weakened by the departure of Kvicha Kvaratskhelia to Paris Saint-Germain, they still threaten when numbers push forward and swarm the box.
Both of McTominay’s goals against Torino were set up following attacks funnelled down the right side, with the second seeing Matteo Politano facing a defender one-against-one. Controlling the ball with his stronger left foot, Politano looked to cut inside, before quickly darting down the outside and playing a deft cross with his weaker right foot, with McTominay slotting the ball goal bound.
Not only does Romelu Lukaku score goals, he also boasts 10 assists, which is the most in Serie A this season, with four providing the ammunition for a McTominay goal. Lukaku holds up play, draws pressure, and links attacks. If he drops into a deeper position, McTominay will move ahead of him.
McTominay does not create many opportunities for teammates, averaging 0.66 per 90, compared to Politano’s 1.77. He also has limited involvement in moving the ball forward from deeper areas of the pitch, averaging fewer progressive passes per 90 than other midfielders in the squad, with 3.25. But his role is to get on the end of things at the business end of the pitch. He receives 4.02 progressive passes per 90 – the most in his career by some distance, and has attempted the most shots for Napoli this season, with 70, averaging 0.16 goals per shot. Meanwhile, McTominay’s 11 goals in Serie A is a 4.1 over performance on his 6.9 xG.
Granted, matches can be less open than elsewhere in Europe, but the slower tempo of Serie A football has perhaps aided McTominay when carrying the ball forward, not facing as much intense pressure, with the midfielder also completing 1.19 take ons per 90. He is an effective player, especially when deployed in a way which maximises what he is good at.
In transitions too, McTominay can carry the ball forward, and even go for goal; McTominay opened the scoring against Empoli in brilliant fashion. Lukaku, fending off pressure on the right flank, switched the ball across to McTominay, with plenty of space in front of him to dribble into. With the Empoli backline dropping closer to goal, McTominay had time to open up his body on the edge of the box, and drive the ball into the bottom corner.
It would not be unreasonable to say that United miss McTominay’s efforts, albeit down to circumstance; it was the right time for McTominay to move onto new pastures, but United still lack a consistent source of goals. Nevertheless, United’s loss has certainly been Napoli’s gain, who they hope will lead them to the Scudetto.
Data: FBref
