Scott McTominay scored a brace for Napoli, but it wasn’t enough to prevent a humiliating 6-2 defeat against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League. Antonio Conte’s side were dismantled in the Netherlands, suffering a major setback in their European campaign despite the former Manchester United midfielder’s heroics.
McTominay shines but Napoli collapse in Eindhoven
It was a night of highs and lows for Scott McTominay, who scored twice for Napoli yet ended up on the losing side as PSV Eindhoven ran riot with a 6-2 victory on Tuesday in the Champions League.
Napoli arrived in the Netherlands hoping to rebound from a 1-0 Serie A defeat to Torino, but instead endured one of their most humbling nights under Antonio Conte. Despite McTominay’s best efforts, the Italian champions were completely overpowered by a relentless PSV side.
The Scottish midfielder opened the scoring in the 31st minute with a well-timed header, giving Napoli an early lead and a sense of control. But the joy was short-lived as Alessandro Buongiorno accidentally headed into his own net to gift PSV an equaliser. Moments later, Ismael Saibari’s composed finish put the Dutch side ahead before halftime.
In the second half, Napoli’s defensive frailties became even more evident. Dennis Man extended PSV’s lead shortly after the restart, before Lorenzo Lucca’s red card left Napoli down to 10 men with 15 minutes to play. Man struck again soon after to make it 4-1, effectively ending the contest.
McTominay added a second goal in the 86th minute, again from close range, but PSV weren’t done. Late strikes from Ricardo Pepi and Couhaib Driouech — the latter a thunderous long-range effort — capped off a night to forget for Conte’s men and completed a stunning 6-2 demolition.
Conte fumes at lack of discipline and balance
After the game, Antonio Conte could barely contain his frustration, lamenting what he called “a lack of grit and balance” from his side.
“There is disappointment,” Conte said post-match. “These situations never happen by chance. There’s a lot to work on. Last year, despite having few players, we won an extraordinary Scudetto because everyone went beyond their limits. Adding nine new players is too many — we were forced to. It takes time and patience to integrate them.”
The Napoli boss also criticised the team’s tactical structure and attitude, hinting that some players are failing to meet his physical and mental standards. “If you win, everything is fine; if you lose, everything is bad,” he said. “We need more balance and less ego. I’ll take responsibility, but the players must understand that wearing this shirt demands something extra every single game.”
Conte’s tactical gamble of using four midfielders, including Kevin De Bruyne, backfired badly. The experiment left Napoli exposed defensively and unable to contain PSV’s wide attacks.
McTominay’s bright display overshadowed
Despite the team’s poor showing, McTominay’s performance was one of few positives for Napoli. The midfielder, signed from Manchester United last summer, has quickly established himself as a key figure under Conte with his energy, leadership, and late runs into the box.
His brace in Eindhoven showcased both his aerial prowess and poacher’s instinct — the kind of qualities that made him a favourite at Old Trafford. Yet, as the scoreline suggests, his individual effort was lost amid the defensive chaos that unfolded behind him.
Right-back Giovanni Di Lorenzo didn’t mince words when assessing the team’s shortcomings: “We made a poor showing. We are fragile. Last year we were rock solid; now we concede too many goals. We’ve lost our grit and balance. You can’t concede goals like these — it’s unacceptable.”
Napoli’s European challenge under threat
The defeat leaves Napoli’s Champions League campaign hanging in the balance. After three matches, they sit with just one win — over Sporting CP — and two losses to Manchester City and PSV. Their remaining fixtures against Eintracht Frankfurt, Qarabag, and Benfica will be crucial in determining whether they reach the knockout stages.
Domestically, Napoli remain third in Serie A, just one point behind leaders AC Milan, but Conte faces mounting pressure to restore discipline and consistency.
Next up, Napoli host Inter Milan in a pivotal league clash that could define their momentum heading into the winter break. Conte will be demanding an immediate response — and McTominay, for all his heroics, will hope his goals start translating into wins again.
