Napoli – Atalanta Bergamo: Gasperini Throws Cold Water On Conte’s Face (0-3)

Eight wins had Neapolitans on cloud nine, but Atalanta Bergamo soon brought their opponent back to reality. Allowing them to work into their problems, they benefitted from Napoli’s poor dynamics in the attack whilst being able to move the game in any direction they pleased.

Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker.

After Atalanta’s historic Europa League victory, rumours fluttered that Gian Piero Gasperini could make his way down south to Napoli. “It’s like being married with children, but you meet a beautiful woman.” How this season would have looked so different if the affair had taken place.

In the end, Napoli wooed the wishes of Antonio Conte, the former Juve and Inter coach who has his team above both of them ten games in. It’s a stark transformation after the disastrous opening day defeat, but Conte has thrown a tactical curveball with the league leaders arranging in a 4-2-2-2 in possession. Nevertheless, whether the title run is sustainable is yet to be seen. Napoli has defensive issues on the right side: where their 4-5-1 defensive block turns into a 5-4-1 system, and their organisation on the ball creates a disconnect between its forwards.

A team more than capable of disrupting its opponent with its off-the-ball structure is Atalanta. After a slow start to the season – just . . .