CorSport – Napoli, De Laurentiis is right: not once, but twice… | OneFootball

CorSport – Napoli, De Laurentiis is Right: Not Once, But Twice…

De Laurentiis is right. Not once, but twice. First, about the strength of Napoli, which this year is certainly more complete than last year. Second, about the leader he has on the bench, the real secret of this group. The qualification against Cagliari keeps Conte in the running on all fronts, across four competitions. In the league, they are first; in the Coppa Italia, they await either Como or Fiorentina in the quarterfinals; in the Champions League, they would currently be in the playoffs; and in a few weeks, they will compete for the Supercoppa with Milan, Inter, and Bologna. The main credit goes to the coach, who managed to turn the season around in difficult times. With an intuition that may have given birth from the ruins of Bologna to the Napoli of the present and the future. The team gives the impression of having fully embraced the new tactical setup, shaped in the midst of a total emergency and with six key players absent. Regardless of who plays, the new 3-4-2-1, interpreted with man-to-man pressing all over the pitch, provides great defensive solidity. At the same time, it offers the attacking players constant and effective support, exploiting the width and quality of the wingbacks. Even though the idea probably came about during the week when Conte took a break to recover his energy, the squad also seems tailor-made to absorb the change. If you include Marianucci and Olivera, there are six central defenders available to rotate (adding Beukema, Rrahmani, Buongiorno, and Juan Jesus). On the flanks, the pairs are Di Lorenzo and Mazzocchi on the right and Gutierrez and Spinazzola on the left (with the former Roma player able to play on the opposite side if needed, and Olivera able to provide cover on the other side). In the center, besides the current starters Lobotka and McTominay and the current substitutes Elmas and Vergara, Anguissa and Gilmour are also expected to return. Likewise, in the attacking midfield, Lang and Neres could rotate with Elmas, Politano, the versatile McTominay, and even De Bruyne when he returns. For the center forward position, there is an embarrassment of riches: Hojlund, Lucca, and Lukaku, who is now close to returning to the field. Who knows if Conte had already made this calculation when he decided on the change. That idea, born in his home in Turin, risks not being just a temporary solution. At this rate, it will become Napoli’s new guiding principle.

Even yesterday against Cagliari, the imprint of the new 3-4-2-1 was evident despite eight changes. The performance of those who play less was impeccable, at least for one half, until Pisacane decided to give Cagliari more energy by bringing on several starters. Seba Esposito above all, a talent who can make a difference in any context, has the personality and above all the quality to impose himself at the highest level. He scored thanks to a lucky rebound (with apologies to the Azzurri fans), but he also produced some top-class moves and skills. With him, Borrelli, Gaetano, Felici, and the wall Caprile, chasing survival will not be complicated.

Conte also received positive responses. Lucca found the net again, although he still doesn’t seem like the player who used to bulldoze opposing defenders, as everyone admired in Udine. The young Vergara impressed: lively, enterprising, and even provided a wonderful assist. And Milinkovic confirmed himself as an extra man: he participates in play, saves penalties, and even scores them. All this in front of 40,000 Maradona fans who were rehearsing for the next big event. On Sunday night, Juve will arrive, and the man of the third Scudetto will return. Against Spalletti, it won’t be a match like any other.

Carlo Gioia

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.