Napoli Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Meret · Kim · Rrahmani · Di Lorenzo · Mario Rui (Olivera) · Lobotka · Anguissa · Zielinski (Elmas) · Lozano (Politano) · Kvaratskhelia · Osimhen (Simeone/Raspadori)

Napoli play a high press with heavy emphasis on verticality in a 4-3-3. This formation is built to win the ball high up the pitch and quickly move it into dangerous areas. The team seeks to stretch the opposition and create many chances through rapid transitions and aggressive ball recovery.

Meret starts in goal to command the area. The back line consists of a flat back four that can step up to squeeze the space. Rrahmani and Kim operate as central defenders, with Kim providing aerial strength and Rrahmani acting as a ball playing defender to initiate play. Di Lorenzo and Mario Rui provide width as full backs, with Di Lorenzo often looking to overlap to support the attack while Mario Rui maintains the defensive line.

The midfield functions as a three-man midfield with a single pivot. Lobotka sits in front of the defence to shield the line and recycle possession. He connects the defensive and attacking lines by finding teammates in tight spaces. Anguissa and Zielinski act as the two central midfielders. Anguissa uses his physical presence to drive forward with the ball, while Zielinski looks to create from deep and play through the lines to find the forwards.

In the attacking third, Napoli use three attackers across the front. Osimhen acts as a pressing centre-forward who pins the last defender with his movement. Kvaratskhelia operates as an inverted winger on the left, cutting inside to create goalscoring opportunities with his dribbling style. Lozano plays as a wide winger on the right to stretch the defence. These attackers work to find runs in behind and combine in tight spaces to break the line.

Napoli offer several tactical advantages through this lineup. They use the ability to press high in coordinated waves to force a long ball from the opposition. The team also finds success through speed of transition, using the pace of Lozano and Kvaratskhelia to hit the opposition on the break. This setup provides numerical superiority in the middle of the park when Lobotka drops deep.

This 4-3-3 formation relies on intense pressing and quick vertical passing to dominate games. It is best suited for matches against teams that struggle to play out from the back under pressure.