Napoli’s driving force
After a disappointing 2023–2024 season that ended with a tenth-place finish, quickly erasing the memories of their previous title win, Napoli started a complete transformation under Antonio Conte. The coach from Puglia brought discipline, intensity, and a clear tactical vision, turning the team into a winning machine. With three games left in the season, Napoli lead Serie A with 77 points, three more than Inter. Their success is built on solid defense, strong performances, and a clear identity.
Their latest show of strength came in a 1-0 away win against Lecce, thanks to a key goal from Giacomo Raspadori. It showed the team’s depth and their ability to win even under pressure.
The surprise star
Signed from Manchester United for €30 million, Scott McTominay has become the heart of Napoli’s midfield. With 12 goals this season (11 in Serie A), he broke Denis Law’s record for most goals by a Scottish player in Serie A after 63 years.
He can play both as a central midfielder and an attacking one, giving balance and energy to the team’s play. His nickname “McFratm” is a mix of the Scottish “Mc” and the Neapolitan word “fratm” (brother), has gone viral and shows how much the fans love him.
Strength and intelligence
Frank Zambo Anguissa and Stanislav Lobotka complete a very strong midfield. The Cameroonian brings power, ball recovery, and attacking runs. He has also scored and assisted in important games this season.
The Slovak is the quiet playmaker and the silent leader. His accurate passes, calmness under pressure and his vision help Napoli stay in control even in tough moments. Together, they form a perfect mix of strength and brainpower, key parts of Conte’s system. Furthermore, if the team has an excellent percentage of accurate passes (86.4%) and an average of balls recovered (42.5), it owes a lot to these two.
A strong defense despite Buongiorno’s injury
One of Napoli’s biggest strengths under Conte is their defense. With only 25 goals conceded and 17 clean sheets, they have the best defense in the league. The central duo formed by Amir Rrahmani and Alessandro Buongiorno played a key role. Buongiorno, signed from Torino for €35 million, quickly became a leader: solid in marking, good in the air, and calm and confident on the ball.
Unfortunately, he suffered a muscle injury in a match against his old club Torino and had to end his season early. His absence is a big loss, but Napoli’s defense has stayed strong thanks to Conte’s organization and team effort.
Conte’s (not so) secret weapon
Romelu Lukaku, strongly wanted by Conte and bought for €30 million, has had an excellent season. With 12 goals and 11 assists, he’s one of only two players in Europe (along with Mohamed Salah and Michael Olise) to reach double figures in both stats.
His connection with McTominay is key to Napoli’s attack. He creates space, holds up the ball, and leads the team in tough times. Despite a few small injuries, Lukaku has once again proven to be the perfect striker for Conte’s aggressive, vertical style of play.
Job’s not finished!
Even with key injuries and a few backup players, Conte’s ability to adapt, rotate his squad, and keep intensity high has kept Napoli in the Serie A title fight.
With 77 points, Napoli are on top of the table, followed by Inter with 74. With three games left, against Genoa, Parma, and Cagliari, the title is in their hands. These last matches will be like finals, where every detail could make the difference in what promises to be an intense season finale.
Will they go all the way?
Antonio Conte has rebuilt Napoli into a strong, determined, and winning team. Thanks to careful planning, smart signings, and a clear identity, Napoli are dreaming big again.
Conte’s touch is clear in everything: intense training, solid teamwork, and the mental recovery of players who had lost their way. Naples is dreaming, but this time with confidence, not hoping for a miracle, but believing in the results of a well-planned, united effort, led by a man who knows what it takes to win.