Napoli Football Formation

Starting Lineup

MERET (Caprile/Contini) · DI LORENZO (Mazzocchi) · RRAHMANI (R.Marin) · BUONGIORNO (J.Jesus) · OLIVERA (Spinazzola) · LOBOTKA (Gilmour) · ANGUISSA (Raspadori) · McTOMINAY (Folorunsho) · POLITANO (Neres/Ngonge) · LUKAKU (Simeone) · KVARATSKHELIA (Zerbin)

Napoli focuses on high pressing and verticality using a 4-3-3 formation. This lineup is built to win the ball high up the pitch and quickly transition into attacking movements. The team aims to squeeze the space in the opponent half to force mistakes and create direct opportunities.

Alex Meret plays behind a flat back four that maintains a high line. Rrahmani and Buongiorno act as the central defensive pairing, with Rrahmani using his aerial strength and Buongiorno providing cover. Di Lorenzo and Olivera operate as full backs to provide width. Di Lorenzo often pushes up to overlap the winger, while Olivera provides balance on the left. The defensive unit works together to set the offside trap and protect the space behind the high line.

The midfield operates as a three-man midfield with a single pivot. Lobotka sits deep as the pivot to recycle possession and shield the defence. Anguissa acts as a carrier to drive the ball forward, while McTominy plays as an inverted eight. McTominy is known for his late runs into the box and physical presence. This group connects the defensive unit to the front line by playing through the lines and finding the attackers in space.

Napoli uses a lone striker in Lukaku, who acts as a target man to hold up the ball. Kvaratskhelia and Politano occupy the wide areas as inverted wingers who cut inside to create goalscoring chances. Kvaratskhelia uses his dribbling style to beat his man on the flank. The front three press the opposition back line intensely to trigger a press. The attack relies on combinations between the wingers and the striker to break the line.

A major advantage for Napoli is the ability to press high in coordinated waves. The midfield and forward line work in tandem to win the ball back high up the pitch. Another strength is the speed of transition when McTominy or Anguissa win the ball and immediately look to hit in behind on the transition. This makes them very dangerous during quick breaks.

This 4-3-3 formation relies on a high press and rapid verticality. It is best suited for games against teams that struggle to play out from the back.