Napoli vs Roma: Official Lineups and Tactical Stakes Ahead of Big Serie A Clash

Napoli and Roma go head-to-head in a pivotal Serie A encounter as both clubs fight for position in the top tier of the table. Managers Antonio Conte and Gian Piero Gasperini have named their starting XIs for matchday 25, delivering a fresh tactical puzzle for a high-stakes confrontation.

Official lineups

Conte lines up Napoli in a 3-4-2-1 that balances width and defensive solidity, with a clear preference for wing-back attacking support and a lone target man up front.

Napoli (3-4-2-1): Milinkovic-Savic; Beukema, Rrahmani, Buongiorno; Gutierrez, Lobotka, Elmas, Spinazzola; Politano, Vergara; Hojlund. Head coach: Conte.

Gasperini replies with his own 3-4-2-1, a formation designed to press high and exploit transitions through wide midfielders and inside forwards feeding the central striker.

Roma (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Ghilardi; Celik, Pisilli, Cristante, Wesley; Zaragoza, Pellegrini; Malen. Head coach: Gasperini.

Tactical battle and what to watch

At the heart of this match is the midfield contest. Napoli’s double pivot of Lobotka and Elmas will be tasked with neutralizing Roma’s engine room of Pisilli and Cristante. Lobotka’s positioning and ability to recycle possession will be crucial for Napoli to launch controlled attacks without getting caught on the break.

The wing-backs on both sides are likely to determine the game’s tempo. Gutierrez and Spinazzola give Napoli dynamic outlets to stretch Roma’s back three, while Celik and Wesley will look to provide width for Roma and supply Malen in the box. Both managers prefer attacking full-backs, so expect end-to-end phases where space on the flanks becomes decisive.

Up front, Hojlund remains Napoli’s reference point. He will rely on the support of Politano and the creative instincts of Vergara in the trequartista roles. Roma counter with Malen as the central focal point, flanked by Zaragoza and Pellegrini — a trio that can punish defensive errors and transition quickly into the final third.

Defensively, Milinkovic-Savic’s role as goalkeeper is more than shot-stopping: playing out from the back will be important for Napoli to maintain possession under pressure. On the other end, Svilar must remain composed against Napoli’s incisive wide play and late runs into the box.

Team news, absences and bench notes

Napoli will be without McTominay through injury and Juan Jesus due to suspension, which explains the choice of Beukema and Buongiorno flanking Rrahmani in the back three. That combination emphasizes pace and one-on-one defending against Roma’s wide threats.

Roma face their own selection issues. Dybala is not available for this match, while Soulé is fit enough to make the bench but does not start, leaving Gasperini to trust Zaragoza and Pellegrini to supply Malen. The bench options will matter late in the game: Gasperini’s willingness to shuffle attacking pieces could alter the balance if the match opens up.

Beyond personnel, the broader stakes are clear. A Napoli victory would strengthen their cushion in the push for European places, while Roma can erase that gap with a win and re-enter the immediate battle for the top spots. With momentum on the line and contrasting tactical blueprints set, this promises to be a measured, high-intensity contest where small margins will decide the outcome.

Kickoff details are set for the 25th round of the season; the teams have rolled out their chosen lineups and the chessboard is ready for what could be a defining fixture in the Serie A calendar.