Allegri Changes Napoli Formation: De Bruyne Projected as Midfield Engine
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- Max Allegri memilih formasi 3-4-3 untuk Napoli saat menjamu Frosinone, dengan Kevin De Bruyne ditempatkan lebih dalam sebagai pengatur serangan.
- Perubahan taktik ini dipicu oleh badai cedera yang menghantam lini tengah Partenopei, termasuk absennya Frank Anguissa dan kondisi Scott McTominay yang belum pulih sepenuhnya.
- Keputusan Allegri mempertaruhkan keseimbangan tim di tengah jadwal padat sembilan pertandingan beruntun di Serie A dan Liga Champions.
Napoli took the field with a new look as they hosted Frosinone on matchday six of Serie A at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Coach Max Allegri decided to switch to a 3-4-3 formation, a move that placed Kevin De Bruyne in a deeper position than usual. Allegri believes the Belgian midfielder can serve as the tempo-setter for the attack from midfield.
The decision was not without reason. Napoli's midfield is in the midst of a personnel crisis. Frank Anguissa has been sidelined by injury, while Scott McTominay has only just returned to the bench after a month out following surgery to address a benign arrhythmia. Antonio Vergara also joined the injury list after representing the Italy national team. The situation forced Allegri to reshuffle his options in a vital area.
In an interview with Sky Sport Italia, Allegri explained that he deliberately rested Billy Gilmour and gave playing time to Stanislav Lobotka. He stressed that De Bruyne can carry out the new role well. "We have more defenders on the right side because Matteo Politano has not been fully fit in recent days," Allegri said. He added that Politano, Lorenzo Lucca, and Giovane could be options from the bench.
Frosinone are not an opponent to be taken lightly. The promoted club have impressed with a direct style of play and high pressing. Allegri is well aware of the difficulty of this match. "We know Frosinone are a very direct team, they have great enthusiasm and press hard," he said. The pressure is heightened because Napoli are on a negative run: consecutive defeats to Como and Inter, and only a 1-1 draw against Fiorentina.
The packed schedule is a challenge in itself. Allegri revealed that Napoli will face nine consecutive matches in Serie A and the Champions League. He stressed the importance of determination on both sides of the pitch. According to him, small mistakes have cost the team points. "If you have the right determination when you have the ball, you can score more goals. But if there is no determination at the back, you will also struggle to defend," he added.
The formation change is also a chance for De Bruyne to prove himself. Although known as an attacking midfielder, he has been asked to play deeper to orchestrate the attack. Allegri appears to want to make use of De Bruyne's vision and long passing from the second line. With several defensive midfielders absent, De Bruyne's dual role is crucial to maintaining the balance between attacking and defending.
On the other hand, the returns of Alex Meret, David Neres, and Leonardo Spinazzola from injury provide a fresh boost. Their presence is expected to add squad depth amid the exhausting schedule. However, Allegri must still rotate players carefully to avoid new injuries.
The match against Frosinone is a test of Allegri's tactics. If the 3-4-3 formation and De Bruyne's new role succeed, Napoli can return to winning ways. Conversely, failure will increase the pressure on the coach and widen the gap from the top of the table. Will this experiment be Napoli's turning point, or will it simply add to their list of problems?
