Rudi Garcia suggests that the change to a 4-4-2 system was decisive for the comeback against Milan and could be used again by Napoli in future. ‘There is not only the 4-3-3 in football.’
The Partenopei had a dismal first half and were trailing 2-0 within 31 minutes to a pair of Olivier Giroud headers, both on crosses from the right by Christian Pulisic and Davide Calabria.
Garcia made a triple substitution during the break, introducing Giovanni Simeone, Leo Ostigard and Mathias Olivera, and it paid off for the comeback with a Matteo Politano solo effort and Giacomo Raspadori free kick.
“It is always better to come back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 than to go from leading 2-0, that is obvious. It was a game of two halves, I liked the reaction of the team, the intensity and above all believing in our qualities to open it up,” Garcia told DAZN.
“The third goal is always important in a match, I told the players at half-time that if we got it back to 2-1, anything could happen.”
Despite Natan receiving his second yellow card in the final minute, Napoli down to 10 men almost won it with the last kick of the game, Mike Maignan sticking out a leg to deny Kvicha Kvaratskhelia.
“Even at the end with a man down we had the chance to win it with Kvara, but the ball did not want to go in. The lads did well, we wanted to win this match, but Milan are a strong team and we proved that we are too with our second half performance.”
Garcia was asked for his thinking that inspired the triple substitution at half-time and his response was a message to President Aurelio De Laurentiis, who famously said he only hired the Frenchman because he uses the same 4-3-3 formation that allowed Luciano Spalletti to win the Scudetto.
“I wanted to change our system, because there is not only 4-3-3 in football. We have a centre-forward like Cholito and also a player who moves between the lines like Raspadori,” explained Garcia.
“In order to press much higher, we needed an extra striker, and the midfielders have to be helped by the full-backs. It’s something we still need to improve, but Di Lorenzo and Olivera did well. It’s a pity about the red card, Natan was naïve there, but I saw the right hunger from the team.”
It has been said many times that Raspadori’s versatility can make it difficult for him to find a consistent run of form in a single role.
“I always said Raspa can play anywhere in attack, in the centre, on the right, as a trequartista, on the left. He is two-footed, he can score goals, provide assists. Today he was a centre-forward and then a trequartista, he did very well.”
Politano had not scored at the Stadio Maradona since February 2022, but found the net today with a sensational solo effort.
“Matteo is a player who I like because he is very intelligent, and one of the few left-footed players we have. On the right flank, he combines really well with Di Lorenzo. I know that last season the left wing was the strongest for Napoli, but I think this season we can count on both wings.
“Politano can be decisive, so is Kvaratskhelia, so that is why they continue to play. The other wingers must do well in the time they have on the pitch to be more decisive and earn their places.”
Considering the success of that change of shape, will Garcia and Napoli use the 4-4-2 in future, especially while Victor Osimhen is out injured?
“We’ll see who is at our disposal. We’re waiting for Victor, you saw Frank Zambo was not able to start and hopefully this substitute appearance can help him get back to full fitness to start next time.
“I said when I arrived that this team has to be able to play in a few different tactical systems, because we have three centre-forwards in the squad.”