Scott McTominay on Brink of Serie A Title with Napoli
A bad week for Manchester United might be about to get even worse. Scott McTominay, a dyed-in-the-wool United man and club youth product, is 90 minutes away from sending the most emphatic message possible back to Old Trafford that they made an error in selling him. According to a report by TNT Sports, McTominay’s Napoli side are on the verge of securing their fourth Serie A title.
The Scotland international has been Napoli’s star man all season, plundering a career-best 11 goals from midfield to take Antonio Conte’s side to the brink of the title. Victory over Cagliari at the Stadio Maradona on Friday night, live on TNT Sports and discovery+, would seal the Scudetto, as would bettering Internazionale’s result away to Como. As TNT Sports reports, McTominay will enter the pantheon of greats should he become an Italian champion.
In a one-club city that is unlike any other for worshipping its footballing heroes, McTominay will be hailed as a hero should he secure the title. The winding alleys of the Quartieri Spagnoli, where Diego Maradona’s face seems to stare down from every corner, will doubtless feature a McTominay mural before long. As TNT Sports notes, it has been the season of McTominay’s life and one that could end with the league title that eluded him in Manchester.
McTominay’s impressive form has earned him a joint league record with Lazio’s Hernanes for a midfielder in a debut season, with 17 goal involvements in Serie A this season (11 goals, six assists). As TNT Sports quotes Transfermarkt, Kaka only managed 15 at Milan. McTominay’s attitude, leadership, and personality have made him as beloved as his performances, with former Napoli director general Pierpaolo Marino saying “he could become a future captain if he stays.”
The ‘McFratm’ nickname he has picked up in the local dialect comes from a Neapolitan in-joke of sorts and translates to ‘McBro’. As TNT Sports reports, it is also a sign of the affection he is held in, affection that has been poured on him by adoring fans.
McTominay’s contributions have not just been regular, but decisive. One of the many nicknames he has earned is the ‘apribottiglie’ or ‘bottle opener’, as seven of his goals have unlocked games that were level. As TNT Sports notes, big names on both sides, from Manchester to Naples, have been united in their disbelief at United letting him go for £25.7 million.
So what do Napoli need to make the dream come true? They go into Friday night’s double-header on top of the table with 79 points, one ahead of defending champions Inter on 78. A win against Cagliari, who have nothing left to play for after securing their survival with time to spare, will seal the Scudetto. Failing that, bettering Inter’s result in Como will do it. As TNT Sports reports, Simone Inzaghi’s side, looking for a morale-boosting end to the domestic season ahead of their trip to Munich for the UEFA Champions League final, know that their only hope of winning the title on Friday is to beat Como and for Napoli to fail to win.
The cards are therefore in Napoli’s favour, but it has been far from a smooth run-in for the 2022/23 champions. Conte’s side would have had the title wrapped up by now had they not stuttered as the finish line came into sight, being pegged back twice by Genoa in a 2-2 draw in Naples – where McTominay set up both of their goals – before Parma held out for a 0-0 draw last weekend. As TNT Sports quotes Conte, “We have the bone in our mouth and we must not let go of it.”
Whether they can or not will be determined on Friday. The big screens are up in the city centre. The open-top bus parade has been planned. The trophy has been sent south in anticipation of a party. Now it is up to McTominay and co to deliver. As TNT Sports reports, Conte said, “I really hope I can celebrate this Scudetto because it would be a beautiful thing, also for the energy that I have put into it.”
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