Conte plans Napoli tactical shift after Neres injury | OneFootball

Reports in Italy claim that Antonio Conte is planning a shift in his formation and tactics and Napoli to cope with the loss of winger David Neres, who is expected to miss around a month of action with a muscular injury.

Napoli have confirmed that Neres picked up a muscular injury in the final minutes of the team’s 1-1 draw with Udinese in Serie A over the weekend, which could keep him sidelined for a run of key games, including ones against Lazio and Inter.

Though he joined the Partenopei in the summer transfer window, the Brazilian was effectively Napoli’s left-wing replacement for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who joined Paris Saint-Germain in a €70m deal in January. With Neres now out, Conte is currently without a natural left-winger in his first-team squad.

ROME, ITALY – FEBRUARY 02: David Neres of Napoli is challenged by of Devyne Rensch of AS Roma during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Napoli at Stadio Olimpico on February 02, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

There had been suggestions that the coach could look to deploy one of his full-backs such as Leonardo Spinazzola or Pasqualie Mazzocchi in a more advanced role while Neres is out, however, reports on Thursday suggest that Conte is now leaning towards a complete change in shape.

Conte plans Napoli tactical shift

According to the likes of La Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere dello Sport, Conte is likely to switch from a 4-3-3 to a 3-5-2, which would see Giacomo Raspadori partner Romelu Lukaku in a two-man strike partnership.

UDINE, ITALY – DECEMBER 14: Giacomo Raspadori of Napoli during the Serie A match between Udinese and Napoli at Stadio Friuli on December 14, 2024 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

If that does prove to be the case, then it would mean Raspadori’s first start in Serie A since the 2-1 win over Parma all the way back on August 31.

The 3-5-2 would allow Conte to stick with his preferred midfield three of Scott McTominay, Stanislav Lobotka and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, but would mean Matteo Politano dropping to the bench.

There are also reports that Alessandro Buongiorno could make his long-awaited return to the centre of the Partenopei defence against Lazio at the weekend.