Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour’s possibilities of a second Italian title in a row might rely upon Napoli downing in-form Atalanta on Sunday – and you may watch the motion stay on the BBC.
The second of our stay video games from Serie A that includes Scotland internationals kicks off at 14:00 GMT, with protection on BBC Alba, iPlayer and the BBC Sport web site and app beginning at 13:50.
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McTominay and Gilmour’s reigning champions head to Bergamo, having fallen 11 factors adrift of leaders Internazionale – and 4 behind AC Milan – and are praying the previous can return from two video games out by means of harm.
Gilmour made his personal first look since November, when he picked up an harm in a 0-0 draw with Como, as a 78th-minute substitute in Sunday’s 2-2 draw at house to fourth-placed Roma.
But it surely was fellow midfielder McTominay’s flip to overlook that recreation – and final Tuesday’s penalty shoot-out defeat after a 1-1 draw at house to Como within the Coppa Italia quarter-finals.
Such is the significance of final season’s Serie A participant of the 12 months and Ballon d’Or nominee that Napoli have no longer received any of the three video games McTominay has missed this season, dropping two of them.
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The Lancaster-born 29-year-old informed Corriere dello Sport: “I nonetheless do not know if I will play on Sunday. I’ve a tendon drawback that must be managed; it isn’t straightforward.
“I am giving it my all to be there. As a participant, it is powerful to get to the coaching centre and never be capable to prepare along with your team-mates. I desperately wish to play, however it’s a must to ensure of my situation.”
McTominay, who has 67 Scotland caps, not less than appeared to finish some off-the-field uncertainty about his future with Napoli.
His type since his 2024 sale by Manchester United has constantly led to hypothesis a couple of return to the Premier League, along with his former membership and Tottenham linked with curiosity amid recommendations he had discovered it tough to settle in Italy.
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Nevertheless, he revealed: “My agent hasn’t informed me something about my future. He solely talks to the membership and me. He has informed the press nothing.
“I am extraordinarily comfortable right here, I am a Napoli participant and it is all I am fascinated with. I might see myself right here for a very long time.
“I like this place. Difficulties have been minimal, my household is comfortable and I am comfortable.”
Napoli seem like comfortable too, with studies in Italy suggesting they’re eager to increase the contract of a participant who has offered 23 objectives and 10 assists in 70 appearances for the membership.
A brand new mural immortalising Scott McTominay’s well-known World Cup qualifying overhead kick in opposition to Denmark has been painted on Somerville Drive outdoors Hampden Park, Glasgow [SNS]
McTominay has blossomed within the extra attacking function handed him by head coach Antonio Conte.
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“At Napoli, I’ve grown each from a tactical perspective and a bodily one,” he stated. “Tactically, Italy is completely different from the Premier League. I needed to adapt and be taught in a short time the right way to play, what actions to make… the right way to change into an issue within the opponent’s space and likewise the right way to defend.
“Antonio is a good coach, very sturdy, passionate, he is aware of soccer very nicely. He’s completely different from anybody else I’ve had up to now.”
McTominay factors to Napoli’s prolonged harm checklist as one of many explanation why they’ve slipped additional behind the leaders in current weeks however isn’t giving up on the title simply but.
Ought to he miss out on Sunday, it should improve the possibilities of 24-year-old Gilmour making solely his seventh begin in 14 appearances this season as he seems to be to realize recreation time and add to his personal 43 caps at this summer season’s World Cup.
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With solely three wins in 11 outings, 9 of them in Serie A, Napoli can’t afford any extra slip-ups if they’re to retain the Scudetto.
Hosts Atalanta misplaced 2-0 away to Borussia Dortmund within the first leg of their Champions League knockout stage play-off on Tuesday and misplaced November’s reverse fixture 3-1 at Napoli, who additionally received 3-2 on their final go to in January, with McTominay scoring one of many objectives.
Nevertheless, Raffaele Palladino’s aspect have received three in a row domestically, are unbeaten in eight in Serie A since dropping at house to leaders Inter on the finish of December and are solely now eight factors adrift of Napoli in seventh.
The assembly of the edges who completed third and first final season is poised to be a cracker stay on the BBC.