Napoli Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Buongiorno (4) · Rrahmani (13) · Di Lorenzo (22) · Spinazzola (37) · Lobotka (68) · Anguissa (99) · Lukaku (11) · Mazzocchi (30) · Kvaratskhelia (77) · Politano (21) · Meret (1)

Napoli plays with a high press and a 3-4-3 formation. This lineup is built to win the ball back high up the pitch and progress through the thirds with speed. The team focuses on staying vertical to reach the final third quickly and works to dominate the ball in the middle of the pitch.

Meret guards the goal to start the defensive unit. In the back line, Rrahmani anchors the center of a back three. Buongiorno and Di Lorenzo act as the wide centre-backs to cover the flanks and squeeze the space. Rrahmani stays central to win headers and clear the lines, while the wide defenders can step up to intercept passes or track back if the ball is lost. This back three provides a solid base to defend zonally against direct attacks.

A double pivot in the midfield consists of Lobotka and Anguissa. Lobotka acts as a deep-lying playmaker to recycle possession, using his passing range to find the feet of the forwards. Anguissa is a carrier who uses his strength to drive forward with the ball and break the line. Spinazzola and Mazzocchi act as the wide midfielders to provide width and overlap the wingers. These players help to compress the midfield when the team needs to sit deep and hold a compact block, helping to connect the defensive and attacking lines.

Lukaku acts as a lone striker and target man to hold up the ball and win the second ball. Kvaratskhelia plays as an inverted winger on the left, using his dribbling to cut inside and create chances for others. Politano occupies the right wing to stretch the defence and look to whip it in toward the box. The front three press from the front to force a long ball and prevent the opposition from playing out from the back. They look to attack in combinations to find the feet of the striker or pull wide to isolate defenders.

This formation provides Napoli with numerical superiority in the middle when the wingers tuck in. The team can also break quickly by hitting in behind on the transition once the ball is won high up the pitch. Using the wide players allows them to spread wide and isolate players in one on one situations.

The 3-4-3 lineup allows Napoli to control the pitch through aggressive pressing and quick movement. It is most effective when playing against teams that struggle to play out from the back.