Giacomo Raspadori scored a brace in Napoli’s 3-2 victory over Antalyaspor in the first of two matches the Partenopei will play during the Winter Football Series. Here are three takeaways selected by Forza Napoli Press.
Experimentation
Luciano Spalletti used the opportunity to experiment with different formations and combinations of players. He started the match lined up in a 4-2-3-1 – a formation that was abandoned after Napoli’s Matchday 4 draw against Lecce.
With three central defenders not available, Spalletti played Giovanni Di Lorenzo alongside Leo Østigård at centre back. Similarly, with André-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Piotr Zielinski vacationing after the World Cup, Stanislav Lobotka and Eljif Elmas played in the double pivot, with Giacomo Raspadori at the ten.
Spalletti made seven changes at the break and switched to a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Raspadori and Gianluca Gaetano playing behind Giovanni Simeone. The Napoli coach commented on the formation in his post-match press conference.
“[It’s] another card we have at our disposal, then we were missing a lot of defenders tonight and we’re going to put other players in the role, learning new things.”
Spalletti’s Joker
By the hour mark, Jack Raspadori had already guaranteed himself Man of the Match honours. The Napoli forward was involved in all three goals, scoring two and assisting the other. He also hit the upright with his “weaker” left foot in the first half and teed up Tanguy Ndombele for a quality chance in the second half.
While many Napoli players looked rusty, including Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who returned from a back injury, Raspadori was sharp as ever. Both goals were well taken, struck with power and precision.
Whether he’s playing in a friendly, Serie A, Champions League or for the Nazionale, Raspadori has the killer mentality that Napoli have so desperately needed in seasons past.
The ex-Sassuolo man is living up to expectations, proving to Spalletti that he’s capable of playing in multiple different positions. A true wild card.
Weakness Exposed
Napoli entered this match with only one natural centre back – Leo Østigård. Amir Rrahmani continues to recover from the thigh muscle injury that caused him to miss Napoli’s final six matches before the World Cup break. Juan Jesus was kept out for precautionary reasons while Kim Min-jae, who competed in the World Cup, awaits the club’s return to Napoli.
Di Lorenzo shifted into the centre of the defense, as he’s done on occasion, and Alessandro Zanoli played at right back. Zanoli’s performance was sub-par, confirming that Napoli’s weakest position is back-up right back.
Should Di Lorenzo get hurt, or indeed, should Napoli have multiple injuries at centre back, the Partenopei could have a serious gap on the back line.
Meanwhile, finding a backup to Lobotka may not be as big of a priority, even if Diego Demme is sold in January. Spalletti has hinted that Gianluca Gaetano can play in that role, and his performance against Antalyaspor confirmed as much. For some, Gaetano could already be ahead of Demme in the pecking order.
[…] experimenting with different formations and player combinations in the friendly against Antalyaspor, Luciano Spalletti returned to his preferred 4-3-3 formation against Crystal […]