Napoli – US Sassuolo: Offside Calls Take Center Stage As Napoli Best A Spirited Sassuolo (2-0)

Two of Italy’s most entertaining sides came together to produce a captivating game. Both sides were troubled with each other’s pressing, yet both were lively going forward. The headline-stealing four disallowed goals only added to the spectacle. In the end, a strong Napoli performance, marked by sharp transitions and their left-sided play, made them deserving victors. 

Tactical analysis and match report by Julian Chingoma.

Heading into this game, automatic Europa League qualification was still on Napoli’s agenda. Gennaro Gattuso’s side were six points behind fifth-placed AS Roma. Napoli lined up in Gattuso’s trademark 4-3-3 formation. David Ospina was the man between the posts while Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Kostas Manolas, Kalidou Koulibaly and Elseid Hysaj formed the backline. The trio in midfield were Stanislav Lobotka, Fabián Ruiz and Piotr Zieliński. The wingers, José Callejón and Lorenzo Insigne, flanked Arkadiusz Milik.

Sassuolo were in eighth spot and looking for a strong finish to a brilliant and entertaining campaign. Roberto de Zerbi had his side in their usual 4-2-3-1 formation. In goal was Andrea Consigli and ahead of him was a defensive line of Mert Müldür, Marlon, Gianmarco Ferrari and Rogério. The double pivot Two central midfielders next to each other. was formed by Francesco Magnanelli and Manuel Locatelli while Domenico Berardi, Filip Đuričić and Hamed Traorè were the three in support of veteran striker Francesco Caputo.

Tale of two pressing systems

Both teams found success with their early commitment to the press. Napoli pressed out of a 4-4-2 shape. One of Ruiz . . .