Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour made their first appearances for Napoli in a commanding 4-0 victory over Cagliari in Serie A, with the Scottish midfielders making a strong start to their careers in Italy. The match, which saw Antonio Conte’s Napoli extend their winning streak to three games, featured goals from Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Romelu Lukaku, and Alessandro Buongiorno. Both McTominay and Gilmour were brought on in the 74th minute as Napoli already had a comfortable 3-0 lead.
A Smooth Start for McTominay and Gilmour
After signing from Manchester United and Brighton respectively, Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour finally made their Napoli debuts. The two Scottish internationals came off the bench in the 74th minute to replace Piotr Zieliński and André-Frank Zambo Anguissa, as Napoli’s victory seemed secured.
For McTominay, this move marks the beginning of a new chapter in his career after several seasons of fluctuating form and inconsistent minutes at Manchester United. Gilmour, meanwhile, arrives in Naples following a promising yet challenging spell at Brighton, where he struggled to secure a regular starting spot. Their late introductions into this match gave the duo a chance to ease into the team without too much pressure.
Although they didn’t have much time to leave a substantial impact on the match, both midfielders showed signs of adapting well to their new surroundings, with McTominay looking solid defensively and Gilmour displaying his sharp passing ability.
Match Suspended Due to Fan Disruptions
Objects were thrown between rival supporters, including fireworks that ended up on the pitch, causing the referee to halt play. The incident highlighted ongoing concerns about crowd behavior in Serie A, but fortunately, the match resumed without further disruptions.
Both Napoli and Cagliari fans had hoped the incident wouldn’t overshadow what was otherwise an important game for both sides. The seven-minute delay briefly broke up the rhythm, but Napoli quickly regained control once play resumed.
Napoli’s Ruthless Efficiency in Front of Goal
Napoli showed once again why they are early title contenders this season, with a clinical performance in front of goal. Antonio Conte’s team was dominant throughout, controlling possession and creating numerous opportunities. Their opening goal came courtesy of captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo, whose strike took a deflection that wrong-footed the Cagliari goalkeeper.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the Georgian winger who has been a key player for Napoli since his arrival, added a second goal before halftime. The goal was set up by Romelu Lukaku, who squared a perfect ball for Kvaratskhelia to finish with ease. This moment showcased the growing partnership between Lukaku and Kvaratskhelia, with both players combining to great effect throughout the match.
Lukaku, who had been under scrutiny after a slow start to the season, capitalized on a Cagliari defensive mistake to score Napoli’s third goal. It was his second goal in two games, showing that the Belgian striker is finding his form at the right time. His ability to disrupt opposition defenses was evident, and Napoli fans will be hopeful that his goal-scoring form continues as they push for the Serie A title.
Alessandro Buongiorno headed in a late fourth goal for Napoli, putting the result beyond doubt and sending the traveling fans into raptures. The victory propels Napoli to the top of the table, with Conte’s side looking every bit like a team capable of challenging for silverware this season.
Conte’s Napoli Sitting Top of the Table
Antonio Conte, seems to have settled in quickly at Napoli. His side’s third consecutive victory moves them to the top of the fledgling Serie A table, sending a clear signal to their rivals that they are genuine title contenders.
While it is still early days in the season, Napoli’s strong performances have many tipping them as one of the favorites to lift the Scudetto. With a mix of experience and youth in their squad, along with the recent signings of McTominay and Gilmour, Conte appears to have built a balanced team capable of competing on multiple fronts.
The result against Cagliari, a team struggling near the bottom of the table, may not be surprising, but the manner of the victory will give Napoli confidence moving forward. With key players like Lukaku and Kvaratskhelia hitting their stride and new signings integrating smoothly, Napoli fans have every reason to believe this could be a special season.
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