Napoli's Buongiorno praises Conte and McTominay in fan interview
Napoli defender Alessandro Buongiorno has highlighted the impact of manager Antonio Conte and teammate Scott McTominay in a recent fan-focused interview. Speaking on the Instagram channel of sticker album brand Calciatori Panini, the Italian centre-back described the squad's atmosphere under the new coach, offering a glimpse into the club's current environment ahead of a critical season finale.
In a conversation with content creator Michele Danese, Buongiorno was asked to describe Conte in a single word. He chose "mentalità," or mentality, underscoring the intense, focused approach the former Chelsea and Inter Milan manager has instilled since his arrival. The defender also reserved significant praise for McTominay, the Scotland midfielder who joined from Manchester United last summer, calling him "incredible." The interview, shared on Napoli's official media channels, forms part of a series of light-hearted player features produced by the club.
Buongiorno, 26, signed for Napoli from Torino in a deal worth a reported €35 million plus add-ons last July, brought in as a key pillar of the post-Scudetto rebuild. His first season in Naples has been one of adaptation, with the team experiencing inconsistency under two managers before Conte's appointment in February. His comments about the coach's mentality align with the widespread characterization of Conte as a demanding, detail-oriented leader who prioritizes psychological strength and tactical discipline.
His admiration for McTominay is notable, given the midfielder's own adaptation to Serie A. The 28-year-old arrived for a fee in the region of €25 million and has become a regular in the engine room, valued for his physicality and late runs into the box. Buongiorno's public endorsement suggests a strong integration within the squad, an important factor as Conte works to solidify his core group for the future.
The interview itself, a collaboration with a popular collectibles brand, reflects modern club media strategy, blending player access with commercial partnerships. For Napoli, currently fighting for a Champions League qualification spot, such content also serves to maintain fan engagement during the tense run-in. With Conte at the helm and a squad featuring significant investments like Buongiorno and McTominay, the club's project is firmly focused on returning to the summit of Italian football, a process built as much on mentality as on talent.
