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PSV Rout Napoli 6-2 as Conte Rejects Tactical Change

The result leaves Napoli on one win from three in Europe, increasing scrutiny on Conte's project.

Soccer Football - UEFA Champions League - PSV Eindhoven v Napoli - Philips Stadion, Eindhoven, Netherlands - October 21, 2025 PSV Eindhoven players celebrate after the match REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw
Soccer Football - UEFA Champions League - PSV Eindhoven v Napoli - Philips Stadion, Eindhoven, Netherlands - October 21, 2025 PSV Eindhoven's Dennis Man celebrates scoring their fourth goal with Ivan Perisic and Anass Salah-Eddine REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw
Soccer Football - UEFA Champions League - PSV Eindhoven v Napoli - Philips Stadion, Eindhoven, Netherlands - October 21, 2025 PSV Eindhoven's Ricardo Pepi scores their fifth goal REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw
Soccer Football - UEFA Champions League - PSV Eindhoven v Napoli - Philips Stadion, Eindhoven, Netherlands - October 21, 2025 PSV Eindhoven's Armando Obispo in action with Napoli's Lorenzo Lucca REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw

Overview

  • Scott McTominay returned from an ankle cut to start, opened the scoring, and later added a header with Napoli already trailing heavily.
  • PSV overturned the early deficit and ran away with the match after Lorenzo Lucca was sent off in the 76th minute.
  • Conte said he will not alter his approach, describing the setback as part of a season shaped by nine new arrivals and injuries to Rasmus Hojlund, Stanislav Lobotka, Amir Rrahmani and Romelu Lukaku.
  • The six goals conceded were a first for Napoli in European competition and for any Conte side, and the defeat leaves the club with one win from three Champions League games as Fabio Capello questioned their mentality.
  • Eindhoven police detained and expelled roughly 230 travelling Napoli supporters before kick-off, adding an off-field flashpoint to a bruising night.