Napoli – Como: Cesc’s Chaos Cooled Yet Conte Cannot Capitalize (0-0)

After a fast start from Como, Napoli got back into the match as a more even game state grew. Despite both teams finding advantages against one another, creativity fell far short of ever breaking the deadlock after an early penalty save.

Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker.

When coaches face their former players on the touchline, one always expects the fresher face to harness the ideas that their former boss instilled in them. However, the influence on Cesc Fàbregas is a little more complicated; a Catalonian who spent most of his career in the Premier League, he only entered Italian football to watch the sunset on Lake Como.

Mega budget aside, one of the key reasons for Como’s rise has been that the team’s structure is quite anti-Serie A. This team still beats the same drum in some respects (double pivot dropping into the defensive line, aggressive man-marking, etc.), but in a league that has traditionally been slow, Como is the transitional team. According to MyGamePlan data, Como turns the most transitions into shots (7.27%, ranks 1st) and is highly effective in counterpressing after losing possession (1.73 successful pressure actions per game, ranks 2nd). In possession, their buildup is super flexible with wingers running central to free Nico Paz in pockets of space. With these counter-cultural arrangements, it's no wonder that Como has been a difficult matchup for all teams in Serie A, and after stabilizing itself last season, Como is ready to swing for the European spots.

Antonio Conte has also shifted . . .