They no longer need much of the ball to hurt you.
“Anche questo è un dato indicativo: al “nuovo” Napoli non serve più tenere molto il pallone, per poter essere pericoloso.”That too is telling: the 'new' Napoli no longer need to keep the ball much to be dangerous. our translation
Pundits are split on how fast they attack: some say they break fast, others that they build slowly.
“Le azioni degli azzurri sono diventate più rapide, più dirette, anche se spesso vengono rifinite con assist dagli esterni (contro la Roma i giocatori di Allegri hanno tentato 16 volte il cross) ma vengono costruite su direttrici verticali.”Napoli's moves have become quicker and more direct; they are still often finished with assists from wide (against Roma, Allegri's players tried 16 crosses), but they are built along vertical lines. our translation
“Il Napoli tende maggiormente a costruire che a colpire immediatamente dopo il recupero.”Napoli tend to build up rather than strike straight after winning the ball back. our translation
They rarely win the ball back high up the pitch, and when they switch off without it they get caught on the break.
“Their pressing has also lacked the intensity required to regain possession high up the pitch, while lapses without the ball have exposed the team to dangerous transitions.”Napoli do not press high: they wait for you to come to them.
“Così, facendo però la squadra di Allegri rinuncia contemporaneamente a pressione alta (PPDA 24.4!) e presenza immediata nella metà campo offensiva lasciando quasi del tutto il pallone del gioco all’Inter.”In doing so, however, Allegri's side gives up both high pressing (a PPDA of 24.4!) and an immediate presence in the attacking half, leaving the ball almost entirely to Inter. our translation
Against a strong side, Allegri's Napoli are happy to sit deep and let the other team have the ball.
“Appena 60 passaggi dal 54’ al 82’, di cui quasi uno su 3 lunghi, signicano che l’Inter avesse il predominio nel possesso e nel palleggio anche nel terzo offensivo e che il Napoli aspettasse praticamente arroccato in difesa a difendere il fortino per il resto della gara.”Just 60 passes from the 54th to the 82nd minute, almost one in three of them long, mean that Inter dominated possession and passing even in the final third, while Napoli waited, practically barricaded in defence, for the rest of the game. our translation
Almost everything they do with the ball goes down the touchlines. They rarely find a pass through the middle, so expect crosses rather than balls threaded between defenders.
“In questo senso, i dati sulla distribuzione delle azioni sono eloquenti: gli azzurri hanno concentrato le loro giocate offensive sulle due corsie laterali per il 71%.”On that point, the data on where the play went is telling: Napoli concentrated 71% of their attacking play in the two wide channels. our translation
Allegri is happy to hand the ball over and sit deep, and this early in his time at Napoli that has meant long spells where they simply defend and wait.
“Gli azzurri si sono consegnati alla squadra di Fabregas, difendendo bassi e male, e hanno provato a reagire solo dopo il primo schiaffo.”Napoli handed themselves over to Fabregas's side, defending deep and badly, and only tried to react after the first slap in the face. our translation
Without the ball, Napoli form two rows of players in front of their own goal and stay there. Their right winger no longer drops back to help defend, so it is one man up front until a midfielder sprints forward to join him.
“Pure in fase di non possesso: a differenza di quanto avveniva con Conte, Politano non si aggiungeva alla linea difensiva, restava davanti a Di Lorenzo per disegnare un 4-5-1 che diventava un 4-4-2 quando una delle due mezzali, soprattutto McTominay, andava ad alzarsi in pressione accanto a Hojlund.”Out of possession too: unlike under Conte, Politano did not drop into the back line, he stayed in front of Di Lorenzo to make a 4-5-1 that became a 4-4-2 when one of the two central midfielders, McTominay above all, pushed up to press alongside Hojlund. our translation