The Back 3

Napoli's Back 3:

Invite, Exploit, Opponent's Possession

They might use a back three, but Chelsea is outnumbered 8 to 5 in this attack.
Result- goal kick for Napoli.

 Jonathon Wilson discussed the use of the back 3 in Italian soccer (he claims 11 of 20 Serie A clubs use a back 3 regularly) and offers a great analysis of how Napoli can play with three in the back, yet not seek to dominate possession.  In 2012, with the loss of Dzeko & Lavezzi, it will be interesting to see if Napoli go the same route...(ED. Note, 6/30/13: they did.)

ED. Note, 9/4/12: Wilson revisits the back 3 phenomenon here at the beginning of the 2012-13 season.  As aggressive as youth/amateur teams are, one wonders if the approach using a back 3, a clogged, numerically superior midfield and three front runners isn't the best way to exploit the tendency of young and inexperienced players to play too directly.

Against a side that, like Chelsea, played with a lone central striker, the man who would otherwise be redundant becomes effectively an additional spare man, another body to pick up runners from midfield. If the opponent has an extra man in midfield, so be it. Napoli don't particularly care if the opposition dominate possession. The issue is to hold them at arm's length, prevent easy chances and then strike on the break. That's why Napoli's record is comparatively so much better against the top sides than the bottom: in a mini league of the top seven teams in Serie A they would be second, precisely because they want their opponent to take the initiative.

It's a clever gambit.  Invite the other team to come on strong, then hit them on the counter with the front three of Hamsik, Cavani and Lavazzi (all three of whom are all-world) and four supporting midfielders.  That's a lot of attackers to handle in counter-attack mode.  Interestingly, it seems that this approach would be stifling and boring to watch, just like the Italian sides of 10 years ago with the infamous Catenaccio style of play...but Napoli are so aggressive in defense, they frequently end up playing very open games such as this one against Chelsea.  Wilson's point is simply that against lower-tier teams who are also used to not having the bulk of possession, Napoli struggle a bit because their game plan is now not as easily applied.

The goal kick (and virtually all the goal kicks taken by Napoli in this match) was launched long, with the three backs 45 yards upfield from their own goal.  The presumption being the 50/50 ball doesn't hurt them as they'd prefer the opponent have plenty of possession so the Napoli attack can be started from it's preferred origins; a turnover and quick break.  Defense as offense.  Similar attitude to Barcelona's approach, but miles apart in how that attitude is deployed on the pitch.  Recall Guardiola's famous comment that Barca were a "horrible team" without the ball!

In general, a team playing with five midfielders is seeking to dominate possession according to conventional wisdom.  Napoli break that mold in adding a player to the midfield/front line, but conceding possession.  It is a good reminder that conventional wisdom ought always be taken with a grain of salt.  Questioning the why of our organization of teams is as important as any other step we take in training players.