AS Roma Vs Napoli [0–1] – Serie A 2025/2026: How Antonio Conte Tactical Tweaks Won Derby Del Sole – Tactical Analysis

The 13th fixture of Serie A ended with a decisive narrow 0-1 win for Napoli against Roma in the Derby del Sole.

It was one of the most important editions of Derby del Sole, as the match came at a time when both teams were at the top of the Serie A standings and were actually battling for the top four spots alongside AC Milan and Inter Milan.

Over the last few years, Napoli have been battling for these spots, but Roma have failed to get close, as theyve been struggling with various issues and posting poor results.

This season, Roma have been able to create a happy surprise for their fans and Serie A fans in general by putting on some very convincing performances, keeping up with the other top teams at the top of the standings.

This frustrating home loss to Napoli will see Roma lose the advantage for the top spot, as AC Milan take first, leaving Napoli second.

Nevertheless, Roma are still well in the race.

For Napoli, the team have exploited the latest international break well as they came back from it much stronger and more united, especially with Antonio Conte tactical tweaks and reliance on some new names to lead the attacking line.

Conte’s tactical changes helped Napoli get back to winning ways, as they have won all three games since the international break.

The difficult win against Roma can only consolidate the team’s recent positive results and push them into playing the next game against Juventus with high confidence and motivation levels.

The tactical analysis will mainly focus on Napoli’s attacking performance and how they exploited Roma’s defensive weaknesses to score the single goal of the match and get closer to scoring other goals.

Roma Vs Napoli Formations & Lineups

Gian Piero Gasperini started the match in his preferred 3-4-2-1 formation, with Mile Svilar in goal, and a defensive line of three centre-backs: Gianluca Mancini on the right, Evan Ndicka in the centre, and Mario Hermoso on the left.

The midfield line was composed of Zeki Çelik and Wesley França as right and left wing-backs, with Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné as central midfielders.

In attack, Gasperini used both Matías Soulé and Lorenzo Pellegrini as advanced playmakers, often as wingers, with Evan Ferguson as the main striker.

Gasperini chose to rest Paulo Dybala and Leon Bailey and rely on Soulé on the right wing while subbing both players in during the second half to play as wingers behind Tommaso Baldanzi, who was used as a striker since the start of the second half.

On the other hand, Conte opted for the 3-4-3 formation with Vanja Milinković-Savić as goalkeeper, and a defensive line of Sam Beukema, Alessandro Buongiorno, and Amir Rrahmani.

The midfield featured Stanislav Lobotka and Scott McTominay as central midfielders, Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Mathías Olivera as wing-backs, with David Neres and Noa Lang being the starting wingers once again following their latest convincing performances, alongside the main striker, Rasmus Højlund.

Napoli Explosive Attacking Transitions

Since the Derby del Sud saw both teams rely heavily on man-marking, it was difficult to create numerical superiority.

Napoli relied on their attacking players’ individual dribbling skills, especially in the wide areas where there were fewer Roma players.

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