Napoli – Fiorentina: Fiorentina Win In Free-Flowing Game (1-3)

Fiorentina arrived at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona with a proactive gameplan, and were rewarded with an early goal. Their high pressing could not be sustained for the full game through, and Napoli showed some nice combination play at times. The away side prevailed though after playing a more counter-attacking game in the second half.
Tactical analysis and match report by Josh Manley.

Following their Champions League defeat against Real Madrid in midweek, Napoli now hosted Fiorentina on Sunday night. Rudi Garcia lined his side up in a 4-3-3 shape for this game, with a back four of Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Leo Skiri Østigård, Natan, and Mathías Olivera. The midfield three was comprised of Stanislav Lobotka, André-Frank Zambo Anguissa, and Piotr Zieliński, while the frontline contained Matteo Politano and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in support of Victor Osimhen.

Fiorentina have continued to impress under Vincenzo Italiano after last season’s effort where they reached a Coppa Italia Final and a UEFA Europa Conference League Final, although they were not able to win either trophy. They started this game in a 4-2-3-1 system, with Michael Kayode, Nikola Milenković, Lucas Martínez Quarta, and Fabiano Parisi making up the back four. Arthur and Alfred Duncan were the double-pivot, while Giacomo Bonaventura . . .