“It will rain, but what will it do?” But this time, it wasn’t Morandi who sang but Conte. He sang very loudly in every rain that accompanied his team’s European blow. In the rain we need a proper hero, Napoli’s hero in Europe is once again called Scott McTominay. A (near) double win for the Scot – he is used to this kind of rain – was not worth just three points. It’s worth dreaming about. There is precious hope. The smiles that Conte and the Azzurri will bring today and also tomorrow, in the days that separate Qarabag from Roma, are priceless. Then, after Italy’s first goal, the rain stopped. A divine sign? A turning point? Two wins in a row seems so after the roller coaster of the past few weeks.
MANY ERRORS
Another injury to note – this time not a muscle injury -, heavy rain to fight, back against the wall to fight. In short, all the elements to ruin Maradona’s night were there. Conte did the most logical thing: replaced Spain’s Gutierrez with Oliveraan anticipatory step that has been taken with the aim of going to Rome next week. For the rest, Napoli looked 72 hours earlier in the same place, with three defenders and an imaginative forward. The approach is also similar: high aggression for the Azzurri, quick counter-attacks, desire to exploit better Good morning and Beukema to build. But the Azzurri took too many steps, made too many mistakes. Repeated precision errors: first McTominay, then Lobotka. However, there were many counter attacks given to the opponent which could only be seen by shots from Addai. Napoli did not take advantage of the inspired Neres, in fact the first chance came just after the half hour through the Brazilian. A scissor kick that should have had a different fate and instead ended up in the opposing Polish goalkeeper’s gloves. Speaking of Poland: Marciniak – well remembered in these parts – didn’t do much damage. This makes some people feel more dissatisfied than others, but in the overall context, there is no harm in this. And Hojlund helps him out when he might be too generous. He reads the situation well, plays when he has to, interrupts when he can.
OPPORTUNITY
After Neres Napoli threw away a lot, maybe too much: The most obvious in the first half was Di Lorenzo’s kick which was tripped by the rain and his shot was angled, then in the second half the best was the penalty missed by Hojlund. Once again the captain was brilliant at cutting Qarabag in half, this time he went down and took a penalty that left more than a doubt on the TV. However, Kochalski did not hesitate when he said no to the Danish striker. The Pole played the game of his life, saving his team at least three times before and after the only time he had to give up. With 20 minutes remaining, McTominay was in the right place at the right time, scoring the third goal of his European expedition so far. It’s another Napoli after the goal: secure possession, action at will: Neres almost scored and stopped on the crossbar, Hojlund squandered a chance to make amends, then it was McTominay again who kept everyone safe. His touch was deflected by Jankovic, who also rounded the goalkeeper.
MOVEMENT
Conte won it once again, this time taking a step back: after a missed penalty, Politano entered the fieldthe four-man defense returned and Napoli produced one chance after another. A case? Maybe yes, but it’s also a hint at what we could see between now and the next few months. Napoli, who continues to lose this part, knows how to find the best formula in himself. He knows how to look in the mirror, change his skin, continue to innovate without stopping against obstacles. He also gave his first European minutes to his “son” Vergara. Last night’s three points were crucial for this Champions League campaign. They are keeping – pending tonight’s game – the Azzurri alive for the main objective, namely the Playoffs. And they also explained how Maradona could be the decisive weapon: despite the weather warning, Fuorigrotta’s drive was the right move, the Champions League cheers were successful and the applause after a missed penalty was the first element of victory. Desired, desired, finally conquered. Conte is already thinking about Roma today. Serie A also needs confirmation.
