Conte opened the defence of his tactics by stressing that Napoli, who remain joint top of Serie A, "cannot play any other way" given their injury crisis.

McTominay, who was named Serie A Player of the Year in 2024/25, has continued to be one of Napoli's most influential performers this season. The 28-year-old has already scored five goals in 17 league appearances and has started 16 of their 18 matches in all competitions. Conte's side are level with AC Milan at the summit after David Neres sealed victory at the Stadio Olimpico with a crisp finish midway through the first half.

Napoli travelled to Rome without several key players. Billy Gilmour remains sidelined, while Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa are all long-term absentees. That shortage has forced McTominay into a deeper role alongside Stanislav Lobotka, operating as one of the two number sixes in Conte's 3-4-2-1 system.

There was real alarm early in the second half when McTominay took a painful blow from Bryan Cristante, leaving the midfielder on the turf as medical staff rushed on. Conte admitted he feared the worst, while Scotland manager Steve Clarke will also have watched the moment anxiously with next year's World Cup qualifiers approaching.

But McTominay recovered quickly and completed the ninety minutes. Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport praised his work-rate, labelling him a "tractor" after GPS data showed he covered more than 16 kilometres in the match.

Post-match, Conte was visibly irritated when asked whether McTominay had been "sacrificed" in an unfamiliar role. The Napoli coach replied:

"We had to change the tactical system and return to the shape we used at the start of my time here. That decision is dictated purely by the numbers. We have Lobotka and McTominay fit – nobody else. Some have said he is being sacrificed, but that is not true. He is a box-to-box midfielder and this is also his role."

Conte added that Eljif Elmas is the only senior alternative and that youngster Vergara will soon be required:

"If one of those two midfielders is missing, we have no cover. These lads are showing enthusiasm, hunger and determination every day. That spirit helped us win the Scudetto last season and we will try our best to defend it, hoping there are no more long-term injuries."

Napoli return to action next weekend as they attempt to maintain pace with Milan in what is shaping up to be another tight title race.

Nedbank Cup Round of 32 draw