Napoli v Juventus: injury woes force Conte and Spalletti to adapt | OneFootball

The clash between Napoli and Juventus is approaching in an atmosphere marked by absences and the need to resort to alternative solutions. Both teams arrive at the big match with a reduced squad, and the coaches’ ability to adapt their principles and game structure becomes even more crucial. Antonio Conte, who chose not to speak at the pre-match press conference, and Luciano Spalletti, dealing with a decimated defensive unit, come into the game with forced tactical plans and emergency choices.

Napoli-Juventus, bandages and limited men: Conte and Spalletti forced to reinvent formations and strategies

Napoli must cope with a list of unavailable players that includes key elements. In addition to Lukaku, Conte is without De Bruyne, Anguissa, Gilmour, and Lobotka, all players who are structural reference points in his system. The coach has already made a formation change, shifting the focus to a double pivot to compensate for the absence of a true playmaker.

Juventus finds itself in a similar situation, with an emergency particularly concentrated in defense. Spalletti cannot count on Bremer, Rugani, and Gatti, while up front he must do without Vlahovic, making a complete reshuffle necessary both in marking and in building from the back.

Conte’s choices: central balance and aggression between the lines

To survive the absences, Conte has set up a pragmatic 3-4-2-1, based on a double central shield. “Elmas and McTominay will have to manage the filtering and support phases,” is the internal line coming from the technical staff.

Behind them will operate the back three of Beukema, Rrahmani, and Buongiorno, while on the flanks Di Lorenzo and Olivera are confirmed, tasked with interpreting the role consistently both in width and in making runs forward. In the attacking midfield, Neres and Lang will move, with Hojlund as the offensive reference point.

The goal is to maintain central density and create positional superiority through continuous movement between the lines.

Spalletti’s ideas: reinvented defense and redistributed offensive responsibilities

Spalletti too will be forced to propose a reworked 3-4-2-1. With the defensive unit reduced to the bare bones, Juventus could field Kelly at the center of the line, flanked by Kalulu and Koopmeiners, adapted to the role out of necessity.

On the wings, McKennie and Cambiaso will operate, while in midfield the burden of balance will fall on Locatelli and Thuram, called upon to link build-up play and high pressing.

Without Vlahovic, the attacking spearhead will be Jonathan David, supported by Conceiçao and Yildiz. “The front three are being asked to increase their ability to attack space,” explain sources close to the team.

Two mirror formations: the risk of a match full of constant duels

The encounter promises to be a match marked by aggressive marking and systematic one-on-ones. The two game models are in fact identical and favor a direct reading of situations:

wingers ready to tuck in or spread out to create wide superiority;

very mobile attacking midfielders to break the lines;

high pressing and immediate transitions.

It will be above all on the flanks that the match could take a clear direction. The ability to beat your man, create depth, and attack without the ball will be the real tactical difference-maker. With reduced squads and redesigned strategies, the coaches’ influence will be decisive.

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