Luciano Spalletti Tactics At Napoli 2021/2022: How Napoli Formation Change Saw Comeback And Keep Juventus Winless – Tactical Analysis

The 3rd game week of the 2021-22 Serie A saw long-standing rivals Napoli host Juventus at the Diego Maradona stadium. 

Both teams have started a new era, with Napoli moving on from Gattuso to hire ex-Inter Milan coach Luciano Spalletti, and Juventus sacking club legend Pirlo to bring back ex-manager Massimiliano Allegri, while also selling Cristiano Ronaldo to Manchester United just before the deadline day. 

While Napoli have started in decent fashion, notching up two wins in two games, Juventus have struggled to get going, remaining winless and suffering a shock defeat to Empoli last time out. 

This tactical analysis discusses the tactics deployed by both managers and Napolis second-half comeback to clinch three points against their rivals.

Let’s begin the analysis.

Napoli Vs Juventus Lineups

Napoli made three changes to the lineup that beat Genoa as Spalletti gave a debut to his latest signing A. Zambo Anguissa, while also bringing in Osimhen and Ospina in place of Hirving Lozano and Alex Meret. 

Juventus, on the other hand, made seven changes to the lineup and lost to Empoli, with only Szczesny, Bonucci, McKennie, and Rabiot retaining their places, as the likes of Danilo and Dybala were absent due to a late finish to the international break for South American players.

Juventus exposed Napoli’s disorganised press in the first half

Napoli’s formation in the first half was an outright 4-1-4-1 with Ruiz playing the lone pivot while Anguissa and Elmas went forward to put pressure on the Juventus midfielders. The forwards would cover the half-spaces while looking to pressure the full-backs if the ball went out to them.