Napoli have been forced to alter their preparations for Wednesday’s Champions League meeting with Arsenal as Massimiliano Allegri considers changing his defensive system following two damaging Serie A defeats.
Extreme heat in Naples caused Monday’s training session to be pushed back by several hours, with Allegri also assessing how well his players have recovered from Saturday’s physically demanding 3-2 defeat at Inter.
It comes as Napoli search for a solution to a defensive problem Arsenal will hope to exploit at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
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Napoli delay training before Arsenal clash
Italian news agency ANSA reports that exceptionally hot conditions in Naples forced Allegri to move Monday’s scheduled early-afternoon training session to later in the day.
The Napoli manager is using the session to evaluate the physical condition of players who featured heavily at San Siro.
That could influence his selection against Arsenal only four days later.
Napoli led Inter 2-0 before collapsing to a 3-2 defeat, extending a difficult start which we examined in our recent analysis of Napoli’s form before facing Arsenal.
They have now conceded five goals across consecutive defeats to Como and Inter.
That defensive vulnerability appears to be having a direct impact on Allegri’s thinking.
Allegri considers back five against Arsenal
ANSA reports Napoli are unlikely to simply reproduce the 4-3-3 system used against Inter.
Allegri wants greater defensive protection and could potentially turn to a five-man defensive structure, with the midfield also expected to provide greater protection around the penalty area.
That would represent an interesting tactical change before facing an Arsenal attack containing Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard and Kai Havertz.
Our analysis of how Allegri could try to stop Arsenal in Naples already highlighted the importance of closing central spaces and preventing Ødegaard receiving possession between the lines.
A deeper defensive structure would reinforce that approach.
The question is whether it would also invite Arsenal to dominate possession for long periods.
Mikel Arteta’s side showed patience during Sunday’s 2-1 comeback victory over Chelsea and could face another game where breaking down a compact block becomes the central challenge.
Arsenal supporters prepare for Naples trip
There is another noteworthy development around Wednesday’s fixture.
Around 45,000 tickets have currently been sold for the 55,000-capacity Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, meaning a sell-out is considered unlikely.
Approximately 1,500 Arsenal supporters are expected to travel to Naples, with local authorities preparing additional security measures around the city and stadium.
Arsenal arrive in considerably stronger form than their hosts.
Arteta’s side have won all three Premier League matches this season, while Napoli are attempting to solve both physical and tactical problems before Wednesday night.
Allegri now has less than 48 hours to decide whether changing the system is the answer.
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