Napoli vs. Lazio: Four at the Back?

By: Neil | March 7th, 2009

This could be the day many Napoli fans have been waiting for: according to a number of sources, Reja will start with four defenders against Lazio. If you recall Napoli’s 1-0 victory over Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico back in October, the team switched to four defenders after taking the lead and continued to control the game. Hopefully the tactical switch will allow Napoli to rediscover the form they were in last October that saw the team at the top of the standings.

The goal.com preview has Napoli using the Christmas tree formation, with the following lineup:

Navarro
Santacroce, Cannavaro, Rinaudo, Aronica
Blasi, Gargano, Datolo
Hamsik, Denis
Lavezzi

But this lineup might not happen. Napoli 2000 has proposed an interesting 4-3-1-2 lineup, which looks as follows:

Navarro
Santacroce, Cannavaro, Contini, Aronica
Gargano, Blasi, Datolo
Hamsik
Lavezzi, Zalayeta

In this lineup Contini replaces Rinaudo and Zalayeta starts over Denis, but the important change is in midfield: Gargano moves outside, and Blasi takes up centre midfield. I really like Gargano but I don’t think he’s as experienced tactically as Blasi, and I like the idea of Blasi in the centre with the more mobile Gargano working the right wing.

Napoli Press is predicting a 4-3-1-2 which is similar to the last formation, only with Denis as the second striker.

The problem with all these formations is that Jesus Datolo is doubtful for tomorrow according to Solo Napoli.

And while the goal.com preview has Vitale and Contini injured, both have apparently recovered but look for Aronica to start instead of Vitale.

On the Lazio side, the biancocelesti have won their last three games and are undefeated in four. To read the Lazio approach for this game, check out the Lazio offside page.

This game is being labelled as Napoli’s last chance to qualify for Europe next season. I don’t really like that tag. First, even if we win, there’s every possibility that we still won’t qualify for Europe. And if we lose or tie I don’t see how that will kill the season, although eventually there will be too many points to make up and too few games left in the schedule.

I think this is going to be a very tense and tightly contested game. Neither side will want to take too many risks, but the pressure will be on Napoli because we’re at home and there’s an urgency to end the winless streak. One crucial factor is that Lazio played on Wednesday in the Coppa Italia, defeating Juventus 2-1. In the second half Napoli should have a little more energy and stamina, and if we’re still tied or losing look for the team to turn up the tempo, and possibly change to a 3-4-3.

I’m really looking forward to this game because it looks like Napoli has taken some big steps the last couple of games to get out of the slump. But Lazio has also redisovered its form and the three points are definitely up for grabs on Sunday. Forza Napoli !!