Massimiliano Allegri's Napoli is experiencing a phase of great offensive production which, however, is contrasted with an often fragile defense. In the last three matches, both in Serie A and in the Champions League, the team has scored 11 goals, but conceded seven: four against Bodø/Glimt, three against Roma and four against Monza. In total, in the season so far, the club has conceded 18 goals in 12 matches, with 11 in the league and seven in the Champions League, but have conceded 18 goals, highlighting a paradox between attack and defence.
The main problem, according to the analysis, emerges when Napoli tries to lower themselves. The low block, typical of Allegri's teams, does not guarantee the desired defensive solidity and, often, once they leave the field to their opponents, the team concedes opportunities and goals. For this reason, tactics are undergoing an evolution: when conditions allow, the team tends to defend forward, recovering meters rather than just protecting their own area. This change is still under development, but is considered necessary to find a new balance.
Despite defensive fragility, Napoli has shown notable offensive growth. The club is currently third in offensive production in the league, according to xG, a metric that Allegri recently adopted. The analysis underlines that the 11 goals in the last three matches represent a sign of improvement, especially in a phase in which the team seems to have gained quality and solutions. However, the seven goals suffered in the same period of time prevent us from considering the complete transformation.
Napoli's future evolution will have to focus on maintaining their offensive threat without necessarily having to score three or four goals to feel safe. The club, which was once known for its "short face", now produces, scores and builds open games, but the defense remains one of its most glaring weaknesses. The next step will therefore be to find a balance between attack and defense, maintaining the new offensive danger without compromising defensive solidity.