Fiorentina – Napoli: Pioli Needs Improvements, Conte Needs Cruise Control (1-3)

A three-goal lead should be enough to comfortably see out a game, but the Italian champions can still put themselves into a position of discomfort, even when the opponent has struggled to create throughout the game.

Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker.

After slow starts to the new Serie A season, two title-winning coaches have a lot to work on for their respective teams.

Fiorentina hired Stefano Pioli for his second stint as manager, who has kept the back three that Raffaele Palladino was trying to work with. They struggled to progress against both Cagliari and Torino, the buildup favoring the left side, and Moise Kean was very uninvolved in both matches. Late transfer investments in striker Roberto Piccoli (who did play against Torino), midfielder Hans Nicolussi Caviglia and wing-back Tariq Lamptey hope to reinforce a structure which needs improvement.

Antonio Conte’s quest is to determine how he fits Kevin de Bruyne into a midfield that is already set in stone. Napoli has tried De Bruyne as a false winger, dropping to the defenders to distribute, but being required to lead pressing moments too. The results have been awkward in a framework that is still very reliant on the right side established by Luciano Spalletti, but Napoli has the player quality to alleviate certain issues. With Romelu Lukaku’s injury, Napoli was able to make loan signings of ex-player Eljif Elmas and Rasmus Højlund on deadline day; fixing Man United players seems to be more of Conte’s forte.

Pioli made two changes from the team that drew 0-0 with Torino. Albert Guðmundsson . . .