Napoli: Lobotka returns, Conte keeps faith in 3-4-2-1 | OneFootball

The return of Stanislav Lobotka from the first minute is the news that everyone in the Napoli environment was waiting for. However, the return of the midfield 'beacon' brings with it an inevitable tactical dilemma, fueling the hypothesis that his presence might push Antonio Conte to redesign the team to return to the old love of the three-man midfield line.

Conte has clear ideas: the playmaker returns, but the "new" Napoli remains

The question is posed by La Gazzetta dello Sport in today's edition, which analyzes the possible moves of the Salento coach. The answer, however, seems to be already written and does not foresee revolutions. According to the “Rosea,” Conte has very clear ideas: no changes. “Theoretically, Lobotka's return to the heart of the Azzurri midfield could give Conte the chance to also change the tactical setup. But it won't be so, at least for now,” reads the newspaper. The reason is pragmatic: the coach is determined to give continuity to the 3-4-2-1, the system of play that has allowed Napoli to turn the page and start winning and convincing again after the blackout in Bologna.

Lobotka, therefore, will fit into the current mechanisms without overturning them. Conte believes that this setup guarantees the best possible balance between the two phases: a more solid defense, thanks to the presence of an extra man in the backline, and a more incisive attack, supported by the two attacking midfielders free to operate behind the striker. The Slovak playmaker will therefore have to take the keys to the two-man midfield, orchestrating the maneuver within the framework that has restored confidence to the team.

Andrea Alati

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