Napoli and Spalletti’s Inter, here are the similarities

There is a tactical thread that unites the work that Luciano Spalletti is doing at Napoli with the two seasons at Inter (2017-2019). In Milan, the Tuscan coach had in fact started with the 4-2-3-1 as a basic set-up, the same module used also last Sunday in the internal match with Verona. Nainggolan was flanked by Politano and Perisic behind Icardi, the Nerazzurri’s attacking terminal. Support in the median was guaranteed by Vecino and Brozovic. The defensive quartet, ahead of Handanovic, was made up of D’Ambrosio, De Vrij, Skriniar and Asamoah. Due to Nainggolan Spalletti’s injury, however, he had to change form and went to 4-3-3 with the addition of Joao Mario.

Change

—

Also in Naples the starting form was the 4-2-3-1, but the stop of Demme in the friendly match in July with Pro Vercelli, also as a consequence of the knee operation to which the German midfielder underwent, dictated a tactical change. With the boost also of the arrival of Anguissa at the end of the summer market. The Cameroonian has found himself an ideal prop for the three-man midfield to be wedged into the 4-3-3. With Anguissa giving substance in the median, Fabian Ruiz was completely diverted to the control room and Zielinski was sorted into the left lane of the department. From the trip to Salerno (31 October) in which Osimhen and Insigne were missing, Spalletti has dusted off the 4-2-3-1, also repeated last Sunday with the return of the two forwards. In practice, Zielinski was centered on the trocar. Compared to Inter, the management of ball possession has changed, which now focuses more on rapid verticalizations to trigger Osimhen and Insigne’s forays into the net.

NUMBERS

—

After 12 days, Napoli has built the lead in the standings with an amazing record of 10 wins and two draws, resulting from 24 goals scored and just 4 conceded. In 2017-18, Spalletti’s Inter were in fourth place with 30 points (2 from the top of Napoli) derived from 9 wins and 3 draws, with 23 goals scored and 9 conceded. A year later the Nerazzurri with the Tuscan coach were third with 25 points, coming from 8 wins, a draw and 3 knockouts, with 22 goals scored and 10 taken. For sure, Napoli’s sprint start this season also in terms of numbers is a step forward among Spalletti’s previous ones.