Monza 0-1 Napoli: McTominay makes the difference for Serie A title hopefuls

A second-half header from Scott McTominay secured a 1-0 win for Napoli at relegation-threatened Monza in Serie A on Saturday.

It is a win that moved Antonio Conte’s team, provisionally, level on points with leaders Inter.

McTominay nodded home to put Napoli in front in the 72nd minute, scoring from a lovely lofted cross from the corner of the area by Giacomo Raspadori.

Monza gave a good account of themselves in the first half, Pedro Pereira going close as the visitors struggled to get into the game.

But Napoli took control in the second period, McTominay eventually breaking through with his ninth league goal of the season.

Second-placed Napoli will now hope for a favour from Bologna, when they take on defending champions Inter on Sunday.

2 – Since the return of the Partenopei in Serie A (from 2007/08), only two Napoli’s midfielders have scored at least nine goals in a single Serie A season: Scott #McTominay (nine in 2024/25) and Marek Hamsík (in seven different league seasons). Stamp. #MonzaNapoli #SerieA pic.twitter.com/Sks8eOlUwG

— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) April 19, 2025

Data debrief: McTominay influential again

McTominay’s dream Serie A debut campaign rolls on, as the Scot was once again the difference-maker.

Not only has the Scotland international scored nine goals this season, but six of them have been the first of the match, making him the player to have broken the deadlock most often in Serie A.

He led the way for shots (three) and shots on target (two) here, while he became only the second Napoli midfielder, alongside Marek Hamsik, to score nine or more goals from midfield since they were promoted to the top flight in 2007-08.

Despite accumulating more shots (11) and expected goals (0.84) in the first half, Napoli put their foot to the floor in the second, and were clinical with their five attempts, which counted for 0.46 xG.