Napoli, Conte to rotate: 4-3-3 and changes expected vs Pisa | OneFootball

Against Pisa, the coach might dust off the old formation with David high on the left and the former player of the match as center forward. McTominay can take a breather, and Gilmour is eager for a chance.

Napoli, Conte relies on rotation: a 4-3-3 with changes in every department expected against Pisa

After the Champions League away match against Manchester City, the coach is preparing targeted rotations to manage energy and the squad.

After a year spent almost exclusively in Serie A, without European commitments, Antonio Conte now finds himself having to manage a packed schedule that includes the Champions League and, later on, the Coppa Italia. The need to resort to rotation becomes inevitable: this is not a “Napoli B” team, but rather smart rotation to keep competitiveness high.

Defense: Meret returns, Buongiorno rests

Against Pisa, in the late match of Serie A’s fourth round, Alex Meret is expected to return between the posts, after Milinkovic-Savic was preferred in the last two matches. In defense, Conte will not give up the back four, but with a twist: Alessandro Buongiorno will rest, most likely replaced by Juan Jesus.

Midfield: possible return to 4-3-3

The coach is also considering a tactical change. By leaving out one between Anguissa, Lobotka, and McTominay, the 4-3-3 could return to the field. This choice would allow Elmas to be relaunched, ready to support the play alongside Kevin De Bruyne, who played less than expected against City. Gilmour is eager and could take Lobotka’s place as playmaker. But the real novelty is the return of David Neres to the starting lineup, the extra man in last season’s title run. And with the Brazilian back on the pitch, the team will return to the old system with an attacking trident, leaving out one between Anguissa and McTominay, with the Scot seeming the main candidate for a rest.

Attack: space for Lucca and Neres

Up front, Hojlund is set to start from the bench after two consecutive starts. In his place, Lorenzo Lucca should return to the starting eleven, while there will also be room for David Neres, finally recovered.

Rotation as a resource

Conte has reiterated it several times: “No talk of Napoli B is allowed.” Rotation is not a fallback choice, but an essential tool to face a busy schedule and keep all players motivated. With the Champions League just started and the Coppa Italia heating up from January, the Azzurri coach aims to use the entire squad to compete on multiple fronts.

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