Scott McTominay’s recent performances in Serie A have drawn criticism from Italian media. The midfielder played a key role in Napoli’s 1-0 victory over Sassuolo but did not impress observers with his individual performance.
McTominay’s Underwhelming Performance
In his third match within a week, the 29-year-old midfielder struggled to make an impact. Despite completing 88% of his passes and attempting 67% of tackles successfully, his contributions were insufficient for a notable performance. McTominay received a rating of 5.5 out of 10 from Il Messaggero, marking him as one of the lower-rated players on the team.
- Pass completion rate: 88%
- Tackle success rate: 67%
- Key passes: 1
- Clearances: 5
Media Reactions
The Italian press highlighted that McTominay only showcased his skill late in the first half, primarily through a promising free kick. However, fatigue set in, and his performance deteriorated, leading to missed opportunities.
In contrast, Eurosport provided a somewhat friendlier review, giving him a 6.5 rating, noting his effort to capitalize on a mistake by Sassuolo’s goalkeeper towards the end of the match.
Team Context and Future Prospects
Although Napoli secured a crucial victory that keeps them third in Serie A—six points adrift of leaders Inter Milan—McTominay’s struggles come amid discussions of a potential return to Manchester United. A week earlier, he had scored twice in a 2-2 draw against Inter, although he had also made a crucial error leading to Inter’s first goal.
Rasmus Hojlund, another loanee from Manchester United, faced similar challenges, finishing his fifth consecutive match without scoring. Despite his importance as Napoli’s top goal scorer this season, his recent form raises questions about his future. Hojlund received the lowest rating of 5.5 for his performance against Sassuolo.
Conclusion
As both McTominay and Hojlund navigate their respective challenges in Serie A, Napoli will look for improvements in their upcoming matches. The club’s decision-makers are keenly observing these players, especially as they consider potential long-term deals.
