Napoli planning Politano tweak to 3-5-2 formation | OneFootball

Antonio Conte is expected to stick with the 3-5-2 formation when Napoli face Como this weekend, but with a few tweaks to the personnel.

The Partenopei were held to a third consecutive stalemate in their 2-2 draw away to Lazio.

That game saw them scrap the 4-3-3 approach and return to Conte’s old 3-5-2 that had been favoured throughout his career at Juventus, Inter, Chelsea and the Italy squad.

This was prompted by the lack of available full-backs, as Leonardo Spinazzola and Mathias Olivera were both injured, along with winger David Neres.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, those three are still going to be out of the trip to Como this weekend.

Napoli adjusting formation on the right flank

ROME, ITALY – FEBRUARY 15: Giacomo Raspadori of Napoli celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammates during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Napoli at Stadio Olimpico on February 15, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

The 3-5-2 should therefore remain, but with some adjustments, as Matteo Politano can step into the starting XI on the right flank.

He is a far more attack-minded option than captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo, who can instead be used in the back three.

That in turn would push Juan Jesus towards the bench now that Alessandro Buongiorno is available again.

On the left, Pasquale Mazzocchi remains the only real option, hoping that Spinazzola or Neres will be fit in time for the Scudetto showdown against Inter.