Napoli could not afford to drop points. They went into the lead at half-time, but slight adjustments in the buildup from José Mourinho firmly placed control in AS Roma’s hands. Stephen El Shaarawy’s injury-time finish was devastating, but had been coming.    Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker.  With both Milan clubs making strides, […]

Four years on from Fiorentina executing Napoli’s Scudetto dreams, they may have just done it again. Napoli failed to capitalize on early momentum, and structural issues off the ball paved the way for their opponents to provide a crushing blow, in the race for the Serie A title. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker.  […]

In another highlight Serie A meeting, Atalanta had the better of their visitors in terms of game dynamic through their aggressive press and work in the wide areas was the foundation for them to trouble Napoli between the lines and they caused the most danger in terms of chance creation. But it was Napoli who […]

In what was expected to be a fiercely contested fixture between these two rivals, a mostly scrappy affair was played out. Verona’s man-marking toughened Napoli’s task but their individual quality shone through as dynamic combination play led to a steady stream of attacking danger. Osimhen proved pivotal in spearheading the visitors’ attack with his brace […]

In identical formations, similar avenues were available for both Napoli and Milan in punishing space offered in midfield. This set the scene for a thrilling battle worthy of its billing as a top-of-the-table contest. Napoli’s creative force was blunted in the final third with the Osimhen-reliant play leading to limited chances as Milan proved more […]

After both Milan and Inter were held to draws by sides in the bottom half of the table on Friday, Napoli had a huge chance to jump up to the top of the table in this Serie A cracker. Lazio would be no pushovers though, as they needed to stay at the top of their […]

Barcelona made their Europa League debut against Napoli in the first knockout round of the competition. Lifting the Europa League trophy might not have been either side’s grandest ambition, but now they found themselves in it to win it. Napoli must have been the happier side after the final whistle as Barcelona missed lots of […]

In a table topping duel between first and second, Inter Milan and Napoli had the ideal chance to make a statement of intent. In the end, true to the tightness of this title race, neither team could break the deadlock. The former verified their current delicate status in the new year, while the latter will […]

Amid a busy schedule, two of Serie A’s main draws came to a head. In matching Atalanta’s formation, Napoli pulled the usual manoeuvres, to varying success, to try to exploit Atalanta’s man-marking. But it was some of the usual suspects who popped up to give Atalanta the edge in a battle where isolated moments were […]

Early success applying pressure and threatening in transition suggested Napoli would continue their undefeated run. However, the away side began to be overwhelmed by the width on display from Inter. And being clinical in punishing Inter’s midfield turnovers, Napoli’s attack was relatively muted for much of this clash as Inter eventually secured the tight victory. […]