Napoli Faces Late Decision On Scott McTominay Before Fiorentina Match

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Antonio Conte is contemplating whether Scott McTominay will play in Napoli's Serie A match against Fiorentina on Sunday. McTominay, who joined from Manchester United in the summer, has been impressive, scoring seven goals in 29 appearances. He leads Napoli in duels won with 137. However, Conte's heavy reliance on him has led to fatigue concerns.

Napoli currently sits second in the league standings, trailing Inter by one point. Despite this position, they have not secured a win in their last five league matches. Their recent home performances have resulted in two consecutive draws. If they draw again at home, it would be the first time since early 2010 under Walter Mazzarri that they've drawn three straight home games.

Conte highlighted the need for Napoli to secure victories to maintain their Scudetto aspirations. "Every game we have to look for the three points," he stated. The team has experienced four draws and one loss recently, which has affected their momentum. Conte emphasised the importance of working hard and making strategic choices to overcome these challenges.

Regarding McTominay's potential absence, Conte mentioned that Billy Gilmour performed well against Inter. He stressed that team selection is based on merit: "In the last 11, whoever deserves to play plays." With 11 matches remaining, each is seen as crucial for Napoli's title hopes.

Napoli's attacking output has been a concern this season, with only 43 goals scored in 27 matches—the lowest among the top five teams. When asked about improving this aspect, Conte pointed out that many players lack a history of high goal-scoring records. "We can work on it to increase a player's totals," he said, but acknowledged limitations based on player profiles.

Conte explained that building a successful team requires various elements and cannot rely solely on increasing individual goal tallies. The focus remains on enhancing overall team performance while recognising each player's strengths and contributions.

The decision regarding McTominay's participation will be made close to match time after evaluating his condition further. "We have 24 hours and we'll evaluate the best solution together with the boy," Conte remarked.

As Napoli prepares for Fiorentina's visit to Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, securing three points is crucial for maintaining pressure on league leaders Inter and keeping their championship dreams alive.