The Scottish Contingent in Serie A: A Mixed Bag of Success and Challenges
The Scottish presence in Serie A continues to be a topic of interest, with several players making their mark this season. Lennon Miller has started to make an impact after scoring on his Udinese debut in the Coppa Italia. Che Adams, playing for Torino, opened his account for the season with a goal against Lazio. Josh Doig has been a consistent starter for Sassuolo since their return from the second tier, while Bologna captain Lewis Ferguson is regaining his regular game time. Billy Gilmour also added a goal for Napoli, marking a positive start to the season.
Despite these successes, one player has stood out for a different reason—Scott McTominay. The reigning Serie A MVP was instrumental in Napoli’s Scudetto win last season but is currently struggling to adapt to the new dynamics in the team. His dip in form has become a significant talking point, especially with the arrival of Kevin De Bruyne, who has brought a new dimension to the midfield.
McTominay’s performance has raised questions about how the two players can coexist. Eight games into the season, his only goal remains the opening-day strike against Sassuolo. A positional change to accommodate De Bruyne has led to concerns about whether both players can thrive together.
Veteran Italian coach Pasquale Marino highlighted the issue, stating that McTominay is not scoring or finishing as he did last season. This has sparked discussions among fans and analysts alike about the challenges faced by McTominay in adapting to his new role.
Antonio Conte, the Napoli manager, acknowledged that McTominay is struggling compared to last year. He recognized the importance of placing McTominay in a position where he can maximize his strengths. Last season, McTominay played on the left of a midfield three in a 4-3-3 formation, which allowed him to support Romelu Lukaku effectively.
However, this season, the formation has shifted to a 4-1-4-1, pushing McTominay to the left wing. This change has affected his performance, as noted by Fabio Capello, who suggested that McTominay is being “usurped” by De Bruyne in his previous role.
AC Milan legend Zvonimir Boban attributed the issues to teething problems with Conte’s new system. He emphasized the need for tactical clarity to ensure that both players can showcase their quality.
Conte himself is still refining his ideas, and while Napoli has maintained a strong position at the top of the table, their performances have not always been convincing. Recent results, including a nervy 3-2 win over Pisa and a 2-1 defeat to AC Milan, highlight the challenges they face.
The club’s director, Gabriele Oriali, expressed confidence that McTominay will find his form again. He urged patience, suggesting that McTominay does not need to carry the team alone but should continue playing as he always has.
Conte’s decision to drop De Bruyne and reinstate the 4-3-3 formation during the Genoa match showed his willingness to experiment. McTominay’s improved performance in that game raised hopes for a potential resolution to the midfield dilemma.
Not everyone believes that the challenge of balancing two talented midfielders is a problem. Ex-Napoli striker Roberto Sosa argued that the discussion around McTominay’s struggles is partly driven by criticism of De Bruyne. He suggested that some people are simply seeking attention.
De Bruyne, meanwhile, has had a challenging start at Napoli. He faced some initial issues with Conte, though he later clarified that there was no real problem. Despite this, he has made significant contributions, providing two assists in the Champions League.
De Bruyne is confident that he can work well with McTominay, even if it takes time to find the right balance. He acknowledged the challenges of adapting to a new environment but remains optimistic about their potential to succeed together.
In Naples and across Scotland, fans will be hoping that De Bruyne’s optimism proves correct. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether McTominay can reclaim his place as a key player for Napoli.
