A busy schedule and depleted squad saw a blunt bout between two Champions League-competing clubs. But where Antonio Conte struggled to draw influence from the bench, Raffaele Palladino made substitutions that complemented his team’s strongest phase. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker. When these two met in January last season, the chase for […]
After Roma seized early control through an incisive transitional move finished clinically by Donyell Malen, Napoli gradually restored structural balance, tightening their midfield distances and asserting greater territorial authority before Leonardo Spinazzola’s looping strike levelled the contest ahead of the interval. The second half evolved into a measured tactical exchange, with Roma briefly regaining the […]
Three competitions turn into one. After fighting on multiple fronts, Napoli have left two tournaments in the space of two weeks, citing familiar problems despite some second-half improvements. Cesc Fàbregas found the early advantages as Como’s rebirth continues. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker. The quest for the Coppa comes at a conflicting […]
After an early stuttering phase in which Genoa capitalised on defensive miscommunication to seize the lead from the penalty spot, Napoli gradually wrestled control of the midfield through incisive vertical transitions and incisiveness from Scott McTominay and Rasmus Højlund, snatching a swift double to flip the scoreline inside the first half. Despite being pegged back […]
This Champions League fixture reunites a top-class manager with one of his old pitstops. It appeared that both parties are bringing baggage into this contest as they chase objectives on continental soil, and this five-goal affair failed to end to pain of an established figurehead. Tactical analysis and match report by Emmanuel Adeyemi-Abere. Antonio Conte […]
Juventus got their revenge against Napoli, as Luciano Spalletti learned from the errors made at the Maradona. An aggressive man-to-man operation set the tone, the staggering from midfielders blocked the Antonio Conte pattern and Napoli had few solutions in possession, in a result that feels like a turning point. Tactical analysis and match report by […]
As one contender has embodied new ideas from their young coach, the other has embodied old ideas from their experienced one. Whilst Internazionale seemed destined to break their hoodoo and gain a significant lead in the standings, Scott McTominay struck again to keep the title race wide open. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel […]
Napoli and Bologna faced off in a final that featured the two champions that Italian football had last season. What transpired was a game of duels, as both managers proposed a man-to-man aggressive defense that looked to disrupt each other’s games. And Conte’s side knew how to play this type of game. Tactical analysis and […]
Rasmus Højlund had two decisive contributions as Napoli overcame AC Milan in this Supercoppa semi-final. Early on, Napoli lacked cleanliness in their pressing that Milan were unable to punish, and then Massimiliano Allegri’s side lacked a creative edge against Napoli’s second-half low-block. Tactical analysis and match report by Josh Manley. We decided to make this article […]
Upon his return to the Maradona, Luciano Spalletti entered with a Napoli tattoo on his forearm whilst sitting in the Juventus dugout. Though returning to the place where he produced his best work, Juve drew no offensive inspiration as Napoli appeared to have moved on. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker. We decided […]