Serie A 2021/22: How Dionisi’s astute tactical tweaks struck a blow to Napoli’s title push – tactical analysis

Sassuolo hosted Napoli on Tuesday night in what looked to be a potential banana-skin game for Luciano Spalletti’s side.

The Azzurri were coming into this fixture at the Mapei Stadium in fine form in Serie A, having trounced Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio 4-0 in the previous league game.

By the hour mark against Alessandro Dionisi’s Sassuolo, Napoli were 2-0 in front thanks to two excellent goals Fabian Ruiz and Dries Mertens. It looked like another comfortable night for the league leaders.

However, Gianluca Scamacca and Gian Marco Ferrari had other ideas, scoring a goal each to level the game. The Neroverdi managed to nick a winner right at the end through Gregoire Defrel but the goal was unfortunately disallowed after a VAR check due to a foul in the build-up from Domenico Berardi.

This was two massive points dropped for Napoli as both Internazionale, and Milan picked up wins in their respective matches. Spalletti even got himself sent off in true Spalletti fashion to top off a wonderfully entertaining second half.

This article will be a tactical analysis of Tuesday’s game. It will be an analysis of the tactics deployed by both sides as well as where the game was won and lost.

Lineups and formations

Overall, there were not too many surprises from either Dionisi or Spalletti apart from Napoli using more of a 4-4-1-1 out of possession which switched to a 4-4-2. Sassuolo deployed a 4-3-3 but Napoli’s was certainly more of a 4-3-3 in possession.

For the hosts, the experienced Andrea Consigli started in goal behind a backline comprising of Jeremy Toljan and Rogerio as the fullbacks with Vlad Chiriches and Ferrari as the central defenders.