Napoli: Conte eyes 4-2-3-1, Lang or Elmas to anchor midfield | OneFootball

Antonio Conte’s Napoli is preparing for a new tactical challenge ahead of the league’s restart, amid significant absences and alternatives to be evaluated during training, reports Gazzetta dello Sport.

Napoli, Conte studies the 4-2-3-1: Lang or Elmas ready to lead the midfield in an emergency

The coach, known for his versatility and constant in-game adjustments, is considering a solution he has already tested in the past: the 4-2-3-1 with Lang or Elmas as key elements in midfield supporting the defense.

The situation is complicated by the unavailability of Lobotka and Politano, with the latter being essential in the defensive phase. Conte, however, is not caught off guard: Castel Volturno offers days free from international duty to study solutions that can guarantee both balance and quality.

“The midfield triangle won’t be classic this time either,” explains a collaborator close to the coach, “but strictly ‘Conte-style’, with figures of personality and tactical dominance.” In practice, this means seeing Anguissa and McTominay protecting the defense, while De Bruyne moves between the lines near Hojlund, with plenty of freedom on the flanks for Neres, Lang, and Elmas, all capable of adapting to multiple roles and sides of the pitch.

In the past, Conte has already managed similar situations: giving up a classic playmaker has not prevented the team from maintaining order and incisiveness. “A team is a unit,” Conte emphasizes, “and certain absences change the dynamics, but they also offer the opportunity to innovate.” Rrahmani’s absence and Buongiorno being called upon to impact the pressing are concrete examples of how individuals can influence a well-established system.

The 4-2-3-1 that Conte is considering therefore represents a “third way”: a flexible solution, capable of protecting the defense while at the same time unleashing creativity and dynamism in the attacking players. The restart in Turin will provide the perfect testing ground for this new configuration, with a Napoli always ready to reinvent itself even without its traditional reference points.

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