How Conte and McTominay have revolutionised Napoli
Kissing the badge with hungry delight, Scott McTominay went to celebrate with the fans, fist pumping the air in delight at having helped Napoli smash Palermo 5-0 in the Coppa Italia.
"I can’t talk enough about the fans, the people, the city and the welcome that my team-mates and coaches gave me," noted the midfielder, who moved to Italy from Manchester United in the summer.
McTominay has fallen in love with Napoli and the feeling is mutual with the club’s fans nicknaming their new star ‘McTotally’ for his ability to be totally present and committed to running everywhere and anywhere for the team.
Inexhaustible energy to drive Neapolitans wild with happiness, Corriere dello Sport labelled the midfielder a 'dominant all-rounder' and manager Antonio Conte agrees.
Adored by the fans and esteemed by the club, Conte changed the team’s formation to exploit the Scotsman's capabilities and Napoli can’t seem to stop winning.
Sitting at the top of the Serie A table with 22 points, Napoli are four clear of Inter Milan, their main rivals for the title.
Conte’s reputation strikes fear in the hearts of most opposition fans but not even he could have imagined the ease with which he’s been able to turn the club’s fortunes around considering the poor season the 2022-23 champions had last campaign.
Finishing a staggering 39 points below winners Inter resulted in the worst title defence in Serie A history. A summer of hell ensued with club captain Giovanni di Lorenzo, Victor Osimhen and Kvicha Kvarastkhelia’s all looking to move on.
Owner Aurelio De Laurentiis had to right a few wrongs and hiring Conte as well as investing more than £100m in the summer transfer market is proving fruitful.
Osimhen may have departed but Conte has reignited Di Lorenzo’s confidence while Kvara is in talks for a new and improved contract. More importantly, Romelu Lukaku, Billy Gilmour, McTominay and a few others were brought in to strengthen the squad.
Gone are the days of Luciano Spalletti’s beautiful Napoli, this is the year of balance, of winning at all costs.
'Conte has 'Juventinised' Napoli: what a mentality' read one headline. "The Azzurri seek victory without compromise, without following a single path, without being slaves to beauty. It is a change of mentality," wrote Sport del Sud.
When Conte first arrived, he was careful to temper expectations aware that his winning reputation had the fans dreaming of yet another Scudetto given he has won three with Juventus and one at Inter Milan, either side of guiding Chelsea to the Premier League title.
Eager to emphasise just how poorly Napoli performed the previous season, he noted the 48 goals conceded in the league, 27 of which were at home, how they finished 10th in the league and their failure to win a place in Europe.
By underscoring the details of their misery, Conte has not only bought time but ensured that should he turn it all around, he will be recognised for accomplishing an immense feat, a minor miracle.
Winning in Naples is always difficult but the manager's plan revolves around addressing three key areas. The first is the mentality, the 'Juventisation of Napoli' if you will.
"What I can promise is seriousness, a word that is often underestimated," he said.
"Seriousness in giving everything for Napoli, in transmitting my culture at work, my mentality.”
Conte is renowned for strengthening the mindset of a dressing room and it starts with instilling a serious atmosphere that demands professionalism, intensity and passion at all times.
Napoli must return to working as a collective, a unit that fights for one another, covers ground and remains determined until the very end. By battling together, bonds are forged, and success is celebrated as a team.
The fighting mentality has been Napoli’s Achilles heel for several years. Maurizio Sarri noted how he admired the fight of Juve’s players when battling them for the title as Napoli manager, while several journalists questioned whether the club would have indeed won the Scudetto under Spalletti had they been subjected to more pressure and a more determined rival pushing them until the final day of the season.
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