Napoli Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Di Lorenzo · Olivera · Buongiorno · Rrahmani · Anguissa · Gilmour · Lukaku · Raspadori · Kvaratskhelia · D. Neres · Meret

Dominating through high pressing and quick transitions is the primary goal for Napoli, who utilize a 2-5-3 formation. This lineup seeks to win the ball high up the pitch to catch the opposition out of position. By pushing many bodies forward, the team aims to control the ball and pin the last defender in the opponent's box.

Meret acts as the last line of defence, often playing behind a high line. The back line consists of a pair of central defenders, Buongiorno and Rrahmani, who must be ready to sweep behind the defence when the press is bypassed. Buongiorno and Rrahmani focus on winning the header and clearing the lines, while also being ready to step up to squeeze the space. Because there are only two defenders, they must communicate well to cover the channels and deny the turn to attackers.

The midfield is a five man unit that connects the defence to the attack. Di Lorenzo and Olivera sit deep to shield the defence, acting as a double pivot to protect the two centre backs. In front of them, Gilmour and Anguissa work to win the second ball and carry the ball forward into the final third. Raspadori operates in the hole as an attacking ten, looking to play through the lines and arrive late into the box. This midfield block can shift laterally to cover the wide areas when the wingers pull away.

The front line uses a lone striker, Lukaku, who acts as a target man to hold up the ball and find the feet of his teammates. On the flanks, Kvaratskhelia uses his dribbling to cut inside and create chances, while D. Neres provides width by pulling wide to stretch the defence. The goal is to use these combinations to hit in behind on the transition or to find the feet of the striker in tight spaces. Kvaratskhelia and D. Neres also trigger a press from the front to force a long ball from the opponent.

This formation offers massive numerical superiority in the central areas of the pitch. By having five players in the middle, Napoli can easily control the tempo and recycle possession. The team also benefits from the ability to press high in coordinated waves, making it difficult for opponents to play out from the back. This high intensity puts immense pressure on the opposition's defensive line.

The 2-5-3 is an aggressive formation built for dominance and quick ball recovery. It is best suited for games against teams that struggle to play out from the back under intense pressure.