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Napoli's Defense Stance as Perceived by Ancelotti

Napoli adopts a 4-5-1 formation in a non-possession phase, with wingers Verdi and Ounas falling back to the midfield line, aiding the full-backs to dodge potential one-on-one situations.

, and Administrator

2025 September 8 . 7:35 PM

2 min read

Napoli's defense, as per Ancelotti's viewpoint.

Napoli's Defense Stance as Perceived by Ancelotti

Napoli's Defensive Masterclass Against Chelsea

Napoli put on a defensive masterclass in their recent match against Chelsea, showcasing a well-balanced formation and a less adventurous attitude that helped their defenders thrive.

The full-backs, Mario Rui and Kalidou Koulibaly, were instrumental in Napoli's defensive strategy, putting in good defensive work despite their usual attacking contributions. The Frenchman, whose name remains unspecified in the search results, played a significant role in supporting Mario Rui, who initially faced challenges against Pulisic.

The Romanian Chiriches made decisive sliding tackles in the match, demonstrating his defensive prowess. His performances, alongside Maksimovic, were practically perfect in the first half. The duo showed potential alongside the already established Albiol-Koulibaly pair.

Verdi and Ounas, Napoli's wingers, dropped to the line of midfielders to help the full-backs avoid one-on-ones, a move that was crucial in maintaining Napoli's defensive structure. The midfielders were strategically positioned closer to the defenders, lowering Napoli's team center of gravity and allowing them to defend compactly.

The right distance between the lines was crucial in allowing Napoli to defend compactly and counter-attack quickly. This balanced formation was key to their defensive success, as it enabled them to defend as a unit and transition into attack swiftly.

The less adventurous attitude of the team also played a role in Napoli's defensive success. By adopting a more conservative approach, they were able to suffer less defensively, particularly in the non-possession phase where they used a 4-5-1 formation.

In conclusion, Napoli's defensive performance against Chelsea was a testament to their strategic acumen and teamwork. The duo of Maksimovic and Chiriches, along with the support from Verdi, Ounas, and the full-backs, demonstrated that they can be a formidable defensive unit, capable of competing with the best.