Di Lorenzo: ‘Napoli trying something new for tactical balance’ | OneFootball

Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo admits they are ‘trying to do something different’ against Inter, as Antonio Conte reshuffles his pack with a False 9.

It kicks off at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s four Serie A games on the Liveblog.

The injury crisis continues with Rasmus Hojlund, Stanislav Lobotka, Alex Meret, Amir Rrahmani and Romelu Lukaku on the treatment table, but Lorenzo Lucca is shelved in favour of David Neres as the centre-forward.

Di Lorenzo overseeing Napoli experiments

epa11999973 Napoli’s forward David Neres in action during the Italian Serie A soccer match SSC Napoli vs AC Milan at Diego Armando Maradona stadium in Naples, Italy, 30 March 2025. EPA-EFE/CIRO FUSCO

“We are trying to do something different, but without losing our tactical balance. We need to find the right medium, as great teams fall, but they know how to get back on their feet. We are against very strong opponents and want to challenge ourselves today,” Di Lorenzo told DAZN Italia.

There was reportedly a crisis meeting where Antonio Conte pushed the ‘old guard’ in the squad to give a bigger contribution, and Di Lorenzo acknowledges the importance of their role.

“Those of us who have been here for longer have to inspire the new arrivals. We need to rediscover the spirit that we had last season, and we certainly didn’t see in Eindhoven. The desire to fight together, defend together, attack together, that was the key to our success last season.”

NAPLES, ITALY – MAY 23: Giovanni Di Lorenzo of Napoli lifts the Serie A TIM Scudetto title trophy after his team’s victory in the Serie A match between Napoli and Cagliari at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on May 23, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

Napoli won their second Serie A title in three years after a head to head battle with Inter that lasted to the final day, allowing them to secure the Scudetto.

Now those teams meet again at the Stadio Maradona and are once more fighting for top spot, as AC Milan were held 2-2 by Pisa last night.