Napoli – Lazio: A New Role For De Bruyne (1-1)

Napoli and Lazio served up an interesting tactical battle, with both managers looking to outdo each other. Napoli struggled to build from the back, forcing Massimiliano Allegri to change Kevin De Bruyne’s role in the build-up. Lazio looked to take advantage, but Napoli improved after the break and found an equaliser to earn a point at home.

Tactical analysis and match report by Mustafa Hassan.

Napoli lined up in a 3-5-1-1 formation under Massimiliano Allegri. Vanja Milinković-Savić started in goal, behind a back three of Sam Beukema, Amir Rrahmani and Rafa Marín. Antonio Vergara operated as the right wing-back, with Mathías Olivera occupying the opposite flank. Billy Gilmour and Scott McTominay partnered in central midfield, while Kevin De Bruyne played further forward.

Noa Lang operated behind Rasmus Højlund, who led the line as the lone striker. Napoli's structure relied on the wing-backs to provide width, with De Bruyne linking the midfield to the front two and McTominay looking to make forward runs into the box.

Lazio lined up in a 4-3-3 formation under Gennaro Gattuso. Christos Mandas started in goal, with Romano Floriani Mussolini at right-back and Nuno Tavares on the opposite side. Josip Šutalo and Oliver Provstgaard partnered in central defence.

Reda Belahyane occupied the holding midfield role, with Davide Frattesi and Kenneth Taylor playing ahead of him. Gustav Isaksen started on the right wing, while Tijjani Noslin operated from the left, with Andrea Pinamonti leading the attack through the middle.

Lazio's Pressing Structure

Lazio's man-oriented approach put Napoli's build-up . . .