Napoli Hand Rrahmani Start as Lazio Recall Mandas for Maradona Clash

Napoli and Lazio have confirmed their starting XIs for Sunday's Serie A fixture at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, with Massimiliano Allegri and Gennaro Gattuso each opting for distinct shapes.

Napoli line up in a 3-5-1-1. Amir Rrahmani anchors the back three, with Billy Gilmour in the midfield five. Andrea Pinamonti leads the line, supported by Antonio Vergara in the attacking midfield role.

Lazio set up in a 4-3-3. Christos Mandas starts in goal. The front three will look to stretch Napoli's back three, while the midfield trio aims to control the centre.

Allegri's 3-5-1-1 gives Napoli three central defenders, with Rrahmani as the central figure. The five-man midfield includes Gilmour, who will be tasked with linking defence and attack. Pinamonti's role as the lone striker depends on Vergara finding space between Lazio's midfield and defence.

The shape asks a lot of the wing-backs. They must provide width in possession and recover quickly when Lazio turn the ball over. If they are caught high, Rrahmani and his fellow centre-backs face Lazio's front three with space behind them. That is the risk Allegri has accepted.

Gattuso's 4-3-3 provides width from the front three and a compact midfield three. Mandas starts in goal, looking to command his area against Napoli's crosses. The shape suggests Lazio will press Napoli's back three and try to isolate the wing-backs.

Lazio's midfield trio will look to dominate possession and cut off the supply to Vergara. If they succeed, Pinamonti becomes isolated and Napoli's attacks stall. If they fail, Vergara can turn and run at the back four.

Napoli's back three must handle Lazio's front three without being dragged out of position. Rrahmani's positioning will be key. In midfield, Gilmour faces a Lazio trio that will look to dominate possession. Up front, Pinamonti needs service from Vergara, who must find pockets between the lines.

Lazio's 4-3-3 can exploit the space behind Napoli's wing-backs if they win the ball quickly. Mandas will be busy if Napoli get crosses into the box. The match kicks off with both sides committed to their chosen shapes.