Scott McTominay and Napoli take sore one as key man reverts to Man Utd type ahead of Saudi trip

Defending champions Napoli went into this weekend’s round of fixtures top of the league on goal difference ahead of AC Milan but have now slipped to third following their poor performance at the Stadio Friuli.

Napoli were a clear second best in Udine. The hosts had two goals disallowed before finally breaking the deadlock through Jurgen Ekkelenkamp on 73 minutes and held on for an important victory.

Scotland internationalist McTominay played the full match despite reports in the Italian media earlier this week that claimed he is managing a groin injury and battling through the pain barrier. His teammate and fellow Scot Billy Gilmour remains out after adductor surgery, while Lennon Miller was once again an unused substitute for Udinese.

It was also a disappointing evening for Napoli’s on-loan Man Utd striker Rasmus Hojlund, who got little change out of the Udinese backline. However, he did miss a glaring opportunity from six yards out when he failed to convert a David Neres cross.

It was in stark contrast to Hojlund’s performance last weekend, when he scored two goals in the victory at home to Juventus. Napoli also stalled in the Champions League on Wednesday when they were defeated 2-0 at home to Benfica.

Napoli were overtaken by Internazionale and AC Milan after the former won 2-1 at Genoa and the latter drew 2-2 at home to Sassuolo. Antonio Conte’s men are now two points off the summit.

The games continue to come thick and fast for Napoli. They take on AC Milan in the semi-finals of the Italian Super Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday night before another match in the tournament over the weekend.