McTominay: ‘Napoli Scudetto dream not finished, but not going to cry about injuries’
Scott McTominay insists ‘nothing’s finished’ for the Scudetto race and at the same time Napoli are ‘not going to cry about’ their injury crisis or think of what could’ve been.
The Partenopei were held to a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Tardini today, conceding a goal scored by Parma after just 33 seconds with Gabriel Strefezza, until the Scotland international’s equaliser.
It means the gap at the top of the table is right now six points, although Inter could expand it to nine if they beat Como this evening.
McTominay has faith in Napoli title
“Obviously, we know nothing’s ever finished and it’s important to keep going,” McTominay told DAZN Italia when asked if the Scudetto dream was over.
“Today was a very difficult game, we had chances with Elmas and Hojlund as well. This is football, you’re going to get results you don’t like and this is one of them.
“We’ve got to play the next six games at a high level and try to get maximum points.”
It was a nightmare start for Napoli, who conceded the opener after just 33 seconds when a long ball was flicked on for Strefezza’s angled drive.
“These games are difficult, it’s not easy if we gift them a goal at the beginning, but that’s football. The crowd is emotional, the atmosphere is intense, but I thought we had matched their spirit and intensity, we just had to find a way to break them down and score a goal.
“We have to look back at the video and take accountability, because these are games where you have to show up and you have to win.”
McTominay went viral in Italy a few months ago when he listed all the big players who were out injured, so does he ever think about what might’ve been this season with a full Napoli squad at their disposal?
“Interviews after a game can be emotional, you say things that are true, and it is true we’ve had a lot of injuries, a lot of games where we had players missing. This is the key, with all those competitions, you need players available, which we didn’t really have,” added McTominay.
“It was nobody’s fault, it was just a fact, and we have to accept this and those who are there strive to do more. Eljif Elmas did so well, he didn’t play much at the start and then stepped in, everyone has to be ready to work.
“We’re not going to cry about it, we’re not getting upset at the way the season has gone, we have to continue as men and see what happens at the end of the season.”
