Two goals in 5 minutes, Cyril Ngonge sends a strong message to Antonio Conte: “A great emotion to score here”

“It’s a great emotion to score at the Maradona stadium in front of the Curvarejoiced the 24-year-old Belgian striker who had not experienced this feeling since February 17 against Genoa. It was a great evening for Napoli, we showed courage and concentration.”

With a double from Cyril Ngonge, Naples qualifies for the round of 16 of the Cup

Recruited last January for 18 million euros, the former Hellas Verona player had a difficult end to his first season with the Azzuri. His encouraging debut in February was in fact cut short by an injury and then difficulties getting back into the rhythm of a team which was totally stuck at the end of the championship (10th). Then arrived Antonio Conte and his new recruits.

Already in competition with the solid Mateo Politano on his right wing, the player trained in Bruges saw David Neres land on this right side and obviously his compatriot Romelu Lukaku up front, even if it is not his preferred position . Before this Thursday, he had to be content with 11 minutes in Serie A and 17 minutes in the previous round of the Italian Cup.

Faced with Palermo, resident of Serie B, Cyril Ngonge therefore wanted to unload all his accumulated frustration. But also to prove to his coach that he was also capable of causing damage to opposing defenses. It’s quite successful, especially since he did it from the left wing, which is not his favorite side given that he does not have the possibility of entering as easily towards the inside of the game.

A time cited on departure at the end of the summer transfer window, Cyril Ngonge therefore seems ready to fight for more playing time, even if he wishes to leave his ego aside. “We are one team, no matter who plays more or less. It is all together that we will achieve our goal. We are on the right track, we are working well with the coach, we are giving everything. This team has a soul.”

Coming up in the 76th minute, Romelu Lukaku for his part was decisive in less than a minute, on his first ball: a duel won on the right of the large rectangle to then cross and find Scott McTominay who scored the last goal of the evening (5-0) which takes Naples into the round of 16.