Como – Napoli: Title Dreams Left Drowning In Lake Como (2-1)

After three draws on the spin, Napoli needed a bounce back before the huge game at the Maradona next week. What followed was an array of the season’s problems coming to the forefront as Como exploited the title challengers in impressive fashion.

Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker.

Before their first meeting on the touchlines, back in October, Cesc Fàbregas examined the systems that he and his former mister had brought to their respective clubs: “He does question himself, and he has changed something at Napoli compared to his usual system. I think we’ve also found a system that suits our characteristics.” 

So how have Como and Napoli fared since then? After a dreadful run of form at the end of last year, Fàbregas has appeared to have got Como to safer ground: although four points separated six teams in the bottom eight of the standings. Fábregas has moved away from the box-midfield (which took up a slightly more alternative arrangement, as the right side of the field would be unoccupied) and more onus on Nico Paz to do the connecting on his own from the center, an approach that worked well against Fiorentina.

Antonio Conte has since had to return to his trademark 3-5-2 formation but showed an abundance of problems in their previous outing to Lazio. As Khvicha Kvaratshkelia was sold and David Neres got injured, title-chasing Napoli found themselves very light on the left. Regardless of the system, Conte’s Napoli . . .