Napoli scouting report: Tactics, star players, current form and more
Chelsea visit Napoli in the Champions League tonight. Here's everything you need to know about the Blues' opponents courtesy of footballitaliano.co.uk 's Mina Rzouki.
***
The embodiment of the city’s passion and chaos, Napoli are the underdogs that continue to stun spectators both with their enticing style of play and successful footballing project. Within the grounds of the San Paolo, perfect organisation and Presidential lunacy have combined to create a squad capable of continuing the fairy tale that has seen them go from Serie C1 to Europe’s most prestigious competition in seven years.
Having played with a three-man back-line ever since 2004, Napoli are tactically organised and usually always deployed in a 3-4-2-1 formation with lone striker ,Edinson Cavani, up top ahead of the creative geniuses that are Marek Hamsik and Ezequiel Lavezzi.
Boasting fluidity and an innate understanding of each other’s movements, the Partenopei have a clear identity and an established footballing philosophy that sees them play with energy and pace as they counter-attack to devastating effect.
Despite playing a formation that many assume to be defensive, the Neapolitan side are renowned for their vibrant attacking play that sees them unleash both their pace and aggression on unsuspecting teams. With a particular focus on wing-play, Napoli’s wing-backs work tirelessly as they run up and down the pitch to offer width to the attack as well as dropping deep to create a five-man back-line when defending against their opponents.
The central midfield offers defensive security as well as making an offensive impact with GokhanInler pulling the strings in midfield. The Swiss player has made quite the impression since his move to the clubin the summer and is the player who completes the highest number of accurate passes in the squad in addition to possessing the vision and touch that delivers perfectly accurate long balls to release the attacking trio up front.
With an exhaustive formation and one that depends on tactical discipline and the understanding between players, Napoli have suffered when rotating the squad this season. Their first team stars such as Christian Maggio, Lavezzi and Hamsik among others are simply irreplaceable and without them, the Azzurri have stuttered in Serie A this season as they attempt to cope with such a heavy schedule.
Moreover, this season has somewhat exposed Napoli for being a side that really only have one game plan: counter-attacking with pace and energy. Italian teams have evidently wised up to these tactics and the Coach has been accused of not having a plan B when it comes to unlocking defences.
For the most part, the Azzurri are defensively solid despite their style of play of absorbing pressure. Boasting the fifth best defence is Serie A, the team have only conceded three more goals than Milan this season and are blessed with fast defenders who are capable of asserting their authority to guard the rear. However, in their quest for goals they have been known to attack in numbers leaving themselves quite exposed at the back.
A side that pride themselves on their willingness to sacrifice for one another, this is a club that has prioritised Europe’s elite footballing competition above all else. Having defeated footballing giants to reach this stage demonstrates just how much Napoli crave success and they will not want to stop now. To Europe at least, Maradona’s old club are still a footballing mystery whose tactics are yet to be fully understood.
Probable line-up: De Sanctis; Grava, Cannavaro, Aronica; Maggio, Gargano, Inler, Zuniga; Hamsik, Lavezzi; Cavani
Star man: Ezequiel Lavezzi
Edinson Cavani developed into a phenomenon during his time with the Partenopei largely because he has Lavezzi behind him.
El Pocho is the little Argentine who combines breath-taking creativity with blistering pace. With a keen eye for a pass and dribbling abilities that fit perfectly with the Neapolitan footballing philosophy, the Chelsea defence is bound to struggle with the man who enjoys roaming between the lines.
Recent Form
Whilst they steamrollered their way through the league last season, playing in so many competitions has taken its toll on the team that suffers from both exhaustion and squad rotation. Having registered only nine wins in the league and ten draws, it seems Napoli simply don’t possess strength in depth whilst their tactics have been effectively studied and neutralised by their opponents.
However, after picking up only four points from five games, the Azzurri have put in convincingly displays in their least two league matches, collecting maximum points to renew their confidence in time for the big showdown. Against Fiorentina over the weekend, they appeared both confident and energetic and remained focused throughout the entirety of the match. When Napoli want to win, few can stand in their way.
***
Follow Mina Rzouki on Twitter @Minarzouki and at footballitaliano.co.uk
Column
Crass of the Day: Why Gary Lineker should be ashamed of his xenophobic mocking of Arsene Wenger
Columnists 11:07 03/05/12Shame on Gary Lineker. His mockery, stupid French accent and derision of Arsene Wenger at the end of... Read More+
Column
Stop rewriting history: Hodgson may have got it, but Redknapp is still the better man for the job
Darren Lewis 10:45 03/05/12The revisionism surrounding Harry Redknapp this week has been an education to behold. Suddenly his f... Read More+
Column
Big Match Verdict on Chelsea 0-2 Newcastle: Torres has been transformed in a week
John Cross 22:27 02/05/12Fernando Torres has been transformed in little over a week. In fact, the Spaniard was the odd man ou... Read More+
Column
Reflecting, reading and not being Redknapp: Hodgson is under fire over the three Rs
Oliver Holt 22:30 01/05/12In the circumstances, Roy Hodgson did pretty well when he was introduced to the media as the new Eng... Read More+
