{"id":1415278,"date":"2025-11-30T08:15:00","date_gmt":"2025-11-30T08:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=features&#038;p=1415278"},"modified":"2025-11-28T16:31:55","modified_gmt":"2025-11-28T16:31:55","slug":"tactical-analysis-napoli-three-man-backline","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-napoli-three-man-backline\/","title":{"rendered":"Napoli analysis: Why Conte\u2019s return to a three-man defence may be the key to saving their Scudetto defence"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>The Scudetto deciders are coming thick and fast.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Last week, AC Milan beat Inter in the Milan Derby. This weekend, league leaders Roma host defending champions Napoli. Just three points separate the top five heading into gameweek 13.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><h2>In this article, we&#8217;ll cover:<\/h2><ul><li><a href=\"#h-three-man-backline-a-favourite-for-scudetto-challengers\" data-level=\"3\">Three-man backline a favourite for Scudetto challengers<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-conte-reverted-to-tried-and-tested-system\" data-level=\"3\">Conte reverted to tried-and-tested system<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-napoli-look-settled-in-a-three-man-backline\" data-level=\"3\">Napoli look settled in a three-man backline<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>For Napoli, the stakes couldn\u2019t be higher. Antonio Conte\u2019s side can ill-afford to fall five points behind Roma in the race for the title. Gian Piero Gasperini has made a fine impact having succeeded Claudio Ranieri at the Olimpico. The three-man backline that delivered success for Atalanta is having the desired effect for the capital outfit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-three-man-backline-a-favourite-for-scudetto-challengers\">Three-man backline a favourite for Scudetto challengers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Roma aren\u2019t the only side to implement a similar setup of those chasing the Scudetto. Christian Chivu is continuing with a 3-5-2 system that delivered Simone Inzaghi success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And you better believe Conte has returned to his tried and tested system in a bid to get Napoli\u2019s title pursuit back on track. The Napoli boss favoured a 4-3-3 formation last season. It was a system that delivered the title, so it made sense to continue with the setup this time around.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"article-page__title\">Dabble sign-up offer: <b data-stringify-type=\"bold\">Bet \u00a310+ &amp; Receive \u00a310 In Free Bets<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p><strong>Not signed up to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/dabble-sign-up-offer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Dabble<\/a> yet? Here's how to claim the <b data-stringify-type=\"bold\">Bet \u00a310+ &amp; Receive \u00a310 In Free Bets<\/b> welcome offer:<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<ol>\r\n<li>Sign up to Dabble through this <a href=\"\/en\/go\/dabble?q=gb-all-con-wof-s-spo\">link<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li>Register your account with accurate personal details<\/li>\r\n<li>Place your first bet of \u00a310 or more<\/li>\r\n<li>Receive your \u00a310 in free bets when your qualifying bet has setted<\/li>\r\n<li>Use your Free Bet on any eligible sportsbook market within 7 days<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<p><a href=\"\/en\/go\/dabble?q=gb-all-con-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1423518 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/12083841\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-083822-300x250.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"250\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/12083841\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-083822-300x250.png 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/12083841\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-083822-320x267.png 320w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/12083841\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-083822-240x200.png 240w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/12083841\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-083822-72x60.png 72w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/12083841\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-083822-150x125.png 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/12083841\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-083822-40x33.png 40w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/12083841\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-083822.png 712w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\r\n<p>#AD 18+ 7-day free bet expiry. Stake not returned. Promotional Terms Apply.\u00a0<a class=\"c-link\" href=\"http:\/\/gambleaware.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-stringify-link=\"http:\/\/GambleAware.org\" data-sk=\"tooltip_parent\">GambleAware.org<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, the 2-0 loss to Bologna saw Conte rid Napoli of the four-man backline. Defeat marked a third successive game the <em>Partenopei<\/em> had failed to score in. The 56-year-old had some harsh words for his players following the reverse at the Renato Dall&#8217;Ara. \u201cI don\u2019t want to accompany a dead man,\u201d was the choice phrase from Conte following the loss. There were murmurings of a resignation doing the rounds post-Bologna clash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Over the international break, Conte took some time off as assistant Cristian Stellini took training sessions. The time away from the training pitch gave Conte food for thought. And the obvious answer was to revert to his tried-and-tested three-man backline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-conte-reverted-to-tried-and-tested-system\">Conte reverted to tried-and-tested system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Conte essentially fought fire with fire for last weekend\u2019s 3-1 win over Atalanta. Incoming <em>La <\/em>Dea boss Raffaele Palladino continued with a three-man defence but the 2024 Europa League winners struggled to contain Napoli. A David Neres brace and a Noa Lang strike meant the match was settled as a contest by the break.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/11\/28162000\/NapoliQarabagPositions_28112025-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1415333\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/11\/28162000\/NapoliQarabagPositions_28112025-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/11\/28162000\/NapoliQarabagPositions_28112025-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/11\/28162000\/NapoliQarabagPositions_28112025-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/11\/28162000\/NapoliQarabagPositions_28112025-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/11\/28162000\/NapoliQarabagPositions_28112025-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/11\/28162000\/NapoliQarabagPositions_28112025-267x267.jpg 267w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/11\/28162000\/NapoliQarabagPositions_28112025-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/11\/28162000\/NapoliQarabagPositions_28112025-60x60.jpg 60w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/11\/28162000\/NapoliQarabagPositions_28112025-40x40.jpg 40w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/11\/28162000\/NapoliQarabagPositions_28112025.jpg 1620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The Napoli boss continued with the system for the midweek 2-0 win over Qarabag. Back among the goals and back to winning ways, Conte is unlikely to divert from the formation again any time soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In part, the reason he switched tactics was due to player absences. Kevin De Bruyne, Billy Gilmour and Frank Anguissa are all currently injured, leaving Conte short of central midfielders. Scott McTominay has partnered Stanislav Lobotka in the middle of the park in both post-international break victories. Eljif Elmas is Napoli\u2019s only other midfield option at present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In truth, though, it\u2019s a system that is far more compatible for the players at Conte\u2019s disposal. Napoli have a plethora of centre-backs on the backs and attack-minded wing-backs in Giovanni Di Lorenzo on the right, and one of Leonardo Spinazzola, Miguel Oliveira, or summer signing Miguel Gutierrez down the left. The appeal of a four-man defence was understandable when Conte had the luxury of a fully fit squad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-napoli-look-settled-in-a-three-man-backline\">Napoli look settled in a three-man backline<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Additional tactical confusion was another reason behind the slump. However, having since returned to his favoured three-man defence, Napoli look a far more threatening outfit. Admittedly, wins over a dysfunctional Atalanta and European minnows Qarabag doesn\u2019t ultimately suggest Napoli have turned a corner. It is, however, very much a step in the right direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The use of wing-backs provides additional defensive resolve, allowing for Napoli to alternate between three at the back and five at the back. The additional protection means Conte is unlikely to revert to the 4-3-3 fans saw so frequently last season, especially with the number of central midfielders missing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So what does this mean for Sunday\u2019s game at Roma? Well, Gasperini is also expected to continue with a three-man defence. Roma boast the best defensive record in the division having conceded just six times, meaning the 67-year-old is unlikely to tinker his tactics against Napoli.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The issue will be that Roma have the midfield superiority. With a 3-4-2-1 Gasperini\u2019s go-to, the capital outfit can add an extra man into the middle of the park to dictate the tempo and exploit Napoli\u2019s midfield shortcomings. Conte can always through Elmas into the mix to tighten up but with the ongoing crisis; it\u2019s a risk he may not be willing to take.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even so, it was an unfortunate stroke of luck that saw Conte revert to a three-man defence. Injuries to key midfielders would be enough to wreck any team\u2019s season. For Napoli, it may have just saved theirs.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3><strong>Read more:<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/\"><strong>Latest football news<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Football betting tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Best betting sites<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/best-free-bet-offers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Best free bet offers<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/accumulator\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Football accumulator tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Scudetto deciders are coming thick and fast. Last week, AC Milan beat Inter in the Milan Derby. This weekend, league leaders Roma host defending champions Napoli. Just three points separate the top five heading into gameweek 13. For Napoli, the stakes couldn\u2019t be higher. Antonio Conte\u2019s side can ill-afford to fall five points behind&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3564,"featured_media":1415279,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"","_yoast_wpseo_title":"","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"With injuries forcing a shift to a back three, Napoli look sharper under Conte, but Roma\u2019s midfield threat poses a major challenge.","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"features-category":[],"class_list":["post-1415278","features","type-features","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":{"external_featured_image_url":"","hide_featured_image_pattern":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.1 (Yoast SEO v27.1.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Napoli analysis: Why Conte\u2019s return to a three-man defence may be the key to saving their Scudetto defence | Squawka | EN<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"With injuries forcing a 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