Napoli's Serie A defence in real peril as Man Utd man misfires and Scott McTominay gives huge clue on future

Shorn of numerous key players, including talismanic midfielder Scott McTominay, Napoli headed to the New Balance Arena in Bergamo 14 points behind leaders Internazionale following their 2-0 win over Lecce the night before.

Napoli’s need to win was pressing and they took the lead through defender Sam Beukema on 18 minutes and went into the interval with a one-goal advantage. However, Atalanta rallied and turned the game on its head during the second period.

Mario Pasalic bagged a leveller on the hour mark and then on 81 minutes, Lazar Samardzic popped up to find a winner for Atalanta.

McTominay was missing once again due to a hamstring tendon injury, while his fellow Scottish midfielder Billy Gilmour was left on the bench by head coach Antonio Conte. Manchester United loanee Rasmus Hojlund led the line for Napoli but endured a frustrating afternoon in front of goal. The Dane has only scored three times since the turn of the year.

Napoli have 50 points and are in third place, trailing second-placed AC Milan by four points, with last year’s runners-up Inter on 64 points. Gli Azzurri have Roma, Juventus, Como and Atalanta breathing down their necks in the battle for a top-four finish and Champions League qualification.

While McTominay didn’t feature, there was some positive news for Napoli from the Scotland star over the weekend, who says he is happy at the club despite speculation linking him with a move back to the United Kingdom.

“I am extremely happy here and, as far as I am concerned, I am a Napoli player,” said McTominay. “It is all I think about. The future is very important, and I could see myself in Napoli for a long time. I love this place. Difficulties have been minimal, my family is happy and I’m happy.”

When he plays next for Napoli is a different question. Pre-match, Conte was unable to confirm when he will be next available.

“You’d have to talk to the doctors, because I haven’t seen McTominay training with us at all since he went off against Genoa,” explained the head coach. “He has an inflammation, but we can’t figure out when he’ll be back. You need to speak to the medical staff, not with me, all I can do is say that Scott has not trained with us at all since Genoa.”