On a night thick with emotion and footballing history, Napoli defeated Qarabag FK 2-0 at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Naples, Italy, on Tuesday, November 26, 2024 — the fifth anniversary of the passing of their legendary icon, Diego Armando Maradona. The victory wasn’t just three points; it was a tribute written in goals, chants, and tears. And the man who delivered the decisive moments? Scottish midfielder Scott McTominay.
A City Remembers
Before the first whistle, the stadium fell silent. Then, a haunting melody filled the air. On the big screens, grainy footage rolled — Maradona dancing past defenders, lifting trophies, weeping with joy. An announcer’s voice cracked: "Napoli wants to remember you with a special video. Five years ago, the greatest of all time left us." The crowd responded with a roar that shook the rafters. Ten thousand scarves waved in unison. In the 10th minute, the entire stadium sang, "There’s only one Maradona," as if he were still on the pitch. This wasn’t a match. It was a requiem. And Napoli, the club he turned into champions, refused to let his memory fade in silence.McTominay Steps Up
For 65 minutes, Napoli poured forward — 3.44 expected goals, their highest in a Champions League match since 2022 — but Qarabag’s goalkeeper, Kochalski, stood tall. A penalty saved. A header wide. A crossbar rattled. Frustration mounted. Then, in the 65th minute, a corner kick from the left. Kochalski parried it, but McTominay, lurking like a predator, pounced. One touch. One shot. Goal. The stadium exploded. He didn’t celebrate wildly. He just pointed to the sky. Then, seven minutes later, another set piece. McTominay’s hooked cross was deflected by Qarabag’s Marko Jankovic — into his own net. 2-0. The crowd chanted his name: "McTo! McTo!"McTominay didn’t just score. He owned the game. Five shots. 80 touches. Six possessions won. Two interceptions. He was Napoli’s engine, their heartbeat. And now, with three Champions League goals this season, he’s tied for the most by a Scottish player in a single campaign — matching John McGinn and Kenny Miller. For a man once seen as a midfield enforcer at Manchester United, this is a renaissance. Under Antonio Conte, he’s found his purpose.
Conte’s Masterstroke
Antonio Conte, Napoli’s head coach since 2024, has turned the club’s defensive discipline into a weapon. But on this night, it was his emotional leadership that resonated. "It was a special evening for Napoli," he told BeIN Sports afterward. "We played with heart, with soul. Diego would have been proud." Conte, known for his fiery intensity, rarely speaks like this. But Maradona’s shadow loomed too large for tactical talk. The Italian manager, who once led Juventus and Inter Milan to titles, now carries the weight of a city’s longing. And he’s delivering.
Where Napoli Stands
The win lifts Napoli to seven points from five matches in the 36-team Champions League league phase. They sit 18th — but only two points off the top eight, which guarantees direct entry to the knockout round. Their next three fixtures — against Real Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, and AS Monaco — will define their season. Napoli has never reached the Champions League quarterfinals. Not once. Not in 1989, not in 1994, not even after winning Serie A in 2024. This is their moment. The stars are aligning. McTominay is in form. The fans are electric. And the ghost of Maradona? He’s watching.The Numbers That Tell the Story
- Napoli’s xG: 3.44 — their highest in a Champions League match since September 2022 (3.53 vs Rangers)
- Qarabag’s xG: 0.49 — just three shots on target all night
- McTominay’s touches: 80 — most on the pitch
- Maradona’s Napoli stats: 259 apps, 115 goals, 2 Serie A titles (1987, 1990), 1 Coppa Italia, 1 UEFA Cup
- Stadio Diego Armando Maradona capacity: 54,726 — sold out every match since the renaming in 2020
What Comes Next?
Napoli’s next Champions League match is December 11, 2024, against Real Madrid at the Bernabéu. A win there could seal their top-eight spot. But the bigger question: Can they go further than the last 16? No Italian club has made it to the semis since 2010. Napoli’s squad is young, hungry, and now emotionally charged. With McTominay firing and Conte demanding excellence, this might be the year the ghosts finally let them fly.Frequently Asked Questions
Why is this match so emotionally significant for Napoli fans?
The match fell on the fifth anniversary of Diego Maradona’s death, a man who transformed Napoli from a regional club into a national powerhouse between 1984 and 1991. He delivered their only two Serie A titles and a UEFA Cup, making him a deity in Naples. The stadium bears his name, and tributes on this date are deeply personal — not just ceremonial. Fans see the team’s success as honoring his legacy.
How has Scott McTominay’s role changed under Antonio Conte?
At Manchester United, McTominay was often a defensive shield. Under Conte, he’s become a box-to-box force with license to attack. He’s Napoli’s top shot-taker in the Champions League this season and leads in touches and possessions won. Conte’s 3-5-2 system demands midfielders to be both destroyers and creators — and McTominay is executing it better than anyone expected.
What’s Napoli’s path to the Champions League knockout stage?
Napoli needs to finish in the top eight of the 36-team league phase to advance directly. With seven points from five games, they’re two points behind the cutoff. Their remaining fixtures — Real Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, and AS Monaco — are winnable. A win against Real Madrid on December 11 could be decisive. They’ve never gone beyond the last 16 in Europe’s elite competition — this could be their breakthrough.
How does Napoli’s performance this season compare to past Champions League campaigns?
Historically, Napoli struggled to compete in Europe despite domestic success. In 2011-12, they reached the Round of 16 but lost to Chelsea. In 2017-18, they were eliminated in the group stage. This year, with 3.44 xG against Qarabag — their highest since 2022 — they’re playing with a level of dominance unseen in their recent European history. The squad depth, Conte’s tactics, and McTominay’s form suggest this isn’t a fluke.
Why was the stadium renamed after Maradona?
After Maradona’s death in November 2020, Napoli fans launched a massive campaign to rename the San Paolo Stadium in his honor. The club, overwhelmed by public sentiment, officially changed the name in December 2020. Maradona’s legacy is inseparable from the city’s identity — his 1987 title win was the first for a southern Italian club, breaking the north’s dominance. The renaming was less about football and more about cultural pride.
