Two Napoli options for Mazzarri after January transfer window

Napoli News Newsnow Serie A

ByLorenzo Bettoni

Feb 2, 2024 11:45

Walter Mazzarri can choose between a three or a four-man defence for Napoli after the January transfer window where the Partenopei signed four new players.

The defending Serie A champions secured the services of Pasquale Mazzocchi, Hamed Junior Traoré, Cyril Ngonge and Leander Dendoncker during the winter transfer window so, as reported by Friday’s printed edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport on page 20, the Mazzarri can now pick two different formations.

Dendoncker can play in central midfield or even defence, while Mazzocchi can be deployed in a three or four-man defence in either of the two wings. Ngonge is also quite versatile as a secondary striker, an attacking winger or an attacking midfielder, while Traoré can play as an attacking midfielder, left winger or central midfielder.

Mazzarri has recently switched to a three-man defence, but according to Gazzetta and Corriere dello Sport, he’s been working on a four-man defence set-up over the last few days at Castel Volturno.

The Tuscany-born coach had started his second tenure in Naples by confirming Luciano Spalletti’s 4-3-3 which he switched to a 3-5-2 system in Supercoppa games in January.

A system that provides a three-man defence remains Mazzarri’s favourite, but this doesn’t mean he won’t change the line-up in the second part of the campaign when Napoli must climb up the table hoping to reach a top-four placement.

Napoli’s potential XIs according to Gazzetta

4-3-3: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Natan, Mario Rui; Anguissa, Lobotka, Zielinski; Politano, Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia.

3-4-2-1: Meret; Ostigard, Rrahmani, Natan; Di Lorenzo, Dendoncker/Traore, Lobotka, Mazzocchi; Ngonge, Kvaratskhelia; Osimhen.