Napoli Football Formation

Starting Lineup

MERET (MILINKOVIC-SAVIC) · GUTIÉRREZ (M.OLIVERA) · BUONGIORNO (JUAN JESUS) · RRAHMANI (BEUKEMA) · DI LORENZO (SPINAZZOLA) · LOBOTKA (GILMOUR) · McTOMINAY (NOA LANG) · DE BRUYNE (ELMAS) · ANGUISSA (VERGARA) · NERES (POLITANO) · HØJLUND (LUKAKU/LUCCA)

Napoli look to defend in a compact low block using a 5-4-1 formation. This lineup is built to sit deep and absorb pressure before hitting teams on the transition. By packing the central areas, the team aims to deny space in the middle and force opponents to the flanks where they are less dangerous.

Meret stays between the posts to guard the goal while the defensive unit maintains a narrow defensive block. A back five consists of BUONGIORNO and RRAHMANI as the central defenders, with LOBOTKA playing as a central defender alongside them to complete the line. DI LORENZO operates as a right wing back, ready to push up when the ball is won, while GUTIÉRREZ acts as the left wing back to provide width. The central defenders focus on winning the header and clearing the lines during periods of heavy pressure.

The midfield functions as a flat four that works to compress the midfield. ANGUISSA and DE BRUYNE occupy the central roles, with DE BRUYNE using his passing range to find teammates under pressure. ANGUISSA helps to shield the defence and win the second ball. On the flanks, McTOMINAY plays as a left midfielder who can track back to help the wing back, while NERES plays on the right. This unit works to close down passing lanes and prevent the opposition from playing through the lines.

Napoli rely on a lone striker, HØJLUND, to lead the line and hold up the ball. HØJLUND acts as a target man to receive long balls and bring the midfielders into the game. The attack is built through quick transitions where the wingers, McTOMINAY and NERES, look to run in behind the opposition. The goal is to use the width provided by the wing backs to cross the ball into the box or find the feet of the striker in tight spaces.

A major strength of this formation is the compactness when defending, making it very hard for opponents to find gaps. The team can also create wide overloads when DI LORENZO and NERES combine on the right side. Furthermore, the ability to transition quickly allows Napoli to punish teams that commit too many players forward.

This 5-4-1 formation is designed for a team that wants to be defensively solid and rely on direct play. It is best suited for matches against high possession sides where the team needs to soak up pressure and counter at pace.