Napoli's Gilmour aiming to add more goals to his game in De Bruyne absence

Billy Gilmour wants to add more goals to his game at Napoli as he looks to cement a starting spot in Antonio Conte's team this season. 

Since arriving in Naples in a reported £16m deal from Brighton, Gilmour has made 39 appearances across all competitions, but he has found the back of the net just once. 

That maiden strike for Napoli came earlier this season, with the Scotland international opening the scoring in the 39th minute of a 3-2 win against Pisa in Serie A. 

Indeed, it was Gilmour's first goal in his 110th appearance in the top five European leagues, and he wants in on Napoli's goal-scoring midfield under Conte. 

Compatriot Scott McTominay marked his first season in Serie A by netting 13 goals in all competitions, while Frank Anguissa also chipped in with six goals himself. 

And the summer addition of Kevin De Bruyne has already proved a success, though he has been ruled out for up to four months after undergoing hamstring surgery this week. 

Gilmour has been playing regularly due to Stanislav Lobotka's injury issues, and he wants to take this opportunity with both hands. 

"I would like to score more goals," he said. "It'd be good to add more goals to my game and also help the team to win. That'd be nice.

"There are lots of games coming up, so it's important for us to work hard and prepare for every match.

"We must be at 100% and recover well to ensure we are ready, proving what a good team we really are."

Along with De Bruyne, Napoli boss Conte also expects to be without attacker Noa Lang for the clash at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona against Cesc Fabregas' team.

Lang, who was making his first start in Serie A since his summer switch from PSV, was replaced by David Neres in the 48th minute after sustaining a knock to his thigh. 

"Lang had two knocks in the same spot, so I think his muscle hardened. It is not a serious problem," Conte said. 

"I am glad for him too, having his first start, as we need everyone in this difficult moment. The important thing is that we never lack the right spirit."

Napoli are top of the early Serie A standings on 21 points, level with Roma, while this weekend's opponents, Como, lie in fifth after a strong start to the campaign. 

Fabregas' team are unbeaten in their last seven top-flight matches, the latest of which saw them down Hellas Verona 3-1 at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia on Wednesday. 

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Napoli – Frank Anguissa

Anguissa has been imperative to Napoli's good form in front of their own supporters, netting three home goals in Serie A this season, equalling his career-best tally in a single league season in Europe's top five leagues (three also in 2024-25 and 2022-23). 

Among midfielders, only Nico Paz has scored more in home games this season (four goals). Furthermore, Anguissa is also the midfielder who has scored the most headed goals since the start of last season in Serie A (five).

Como – ​Tasos Douvikas

But Como have their own threat in Tasos Douvikas, though his four Serie A goals have all been scored at home. He could, however, find the net in two consecutive league matches for the first time since November 2024, against Celta Vigo in La Liga.

His last away goal in Europe's top five leagues came during that streak (against Real Betis on November 10, 2024), and he will be keen to try and upset the league leaders. 

MATCH PREDICTION: NAPOLI WIN

One of Napoli's two defeats in their 24 previous Serie A matches against Como came in the most recent encounter, on February 23. Overall, only Inter (19) have won more matches against Como in the tournament than the Partenopei (18).

Conte's team have also won all 12 of their Serie A home games against Como. In the entire history of the top-flight, only Inter (12 against Pro Patria) have as many home wins against a single opponent, maintaining a 100% win rate.

Napoli have also been imperious at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, having not lost a top-flight home game in front of their home supporters since December 8 last year against Lazio. Since then, they have drawn three and won 12 of their home matches. 

But Como will not come just to take part. They have earned 16 points this season, a record for them in their first nine Serie A matches. They have seven more points than in their first nine in the top-flight last season (16 to nine). Only Roma have improved more (+11) compared to the 2024-25 season at this point.

However, Fabregas' men have drawn three of their last five away games in Serie A (W1 L1), including their last two, as many as in their previous 16 away matches (W5 D3 L8). Como have not drawn three consecutive away games in the competition since between October and November 1986.

And it could be a tentative affair in Naples. Napoli (60.3%) and Como (59.4%) are the two teams to have recorded the highest average possession in Serie A this season, so it will be interesting to see who takes hold of this intriguing encounter. 

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Napoli – 47.6%

Draw – 28.2%

Como – 24.2%