Napoli Grind, Then Shine, As Mctominay Leads A Crucial 2–0 Win Over Qarabag

On a cool Neapolitan night, Napoli needed a response more than anything. One win from four Champions League matches had placed Antonio Conte’s side under pressure, and Qarabag stubborn, structured, and enjoying their best-ever European campaign were never going to be simple visitors.

The first half was a slog, a cagey, bitty affair where Napoli enjoyed the ball but rarely pierced the lines with any authority. McTominay buzzed with intent, Lang worked the flanks, and Neres produced the one moment of real quality a stunning acrobatic volley that Kochalski denied with a breath-taking one-handed stop.

Beyond that, the Serie A champions looked flat, predictable, and at times frustrated as Qarabag’s discipline kept everything in front of them. At the break, the numbers told the story: Napoli 0.50 xG, Qarabag 0.20. Tight. Restrained. Tense.

But whatever Conte said in the dressing room lit a fire under his players.

Within ten minutes of the restart, Di Lorenzo burst forward and won a penalty a golden chance to blow the game open. Højlund stepped up confidently, but his effort lacked conviction and Kochalski, already Qarabag’s hero, pushed it away with a superb save. The groans around the stadium were heavy, but Napoli didn’t sulk. They surged.

Wave after wave of blue pressure crashed into Qarabag’s box. Lang denied, McTominay stung the keeper’s palms, Neres clipped the crossbar with a mis-hit cross that almost became a wonder goal, and Højlund somehow headed wide from point-blank range.

Then came the breakthrough, In the 65th minute, a delivery from the corner caused chaos in the Qarabag box. McTominay tireless, towering, relentless met it cleanly. His initial header was saved, but he followed up like a striker born for the moment. 1–0, and finally, relief.

Napoli smelled blood, Just seven minutes later, the second arrived, and McTominay was once again at the heart of it. Olivera recycled Neres’ cross and picked out the Scotsman perfectly. His hooked effort looked destined for goal even before it clipped the helpless Jankovic and trickled past Kochalski. An own-goal on paper, but in truth another example of McTominay’s influence.

Qarabag, to their credit, battled admirably and defended with courage, but once the tempo rose, the gap between the two sides became clear. Their European story remains alive they stay 16th but this was a reminder of how unforgiving nights on the continent can be.

Napoli climb to 18th, back in the qualification picture, and head to Roma this weekend with renewed confidence. Conte demanded spirit and ruthlessness. McTominay delivered both.

The Champions League campaign finally has life again in Naples.