Serie A 2019/20: 3 ways Napoli could line up with Hirving Lozano

Hirving Lozano finally got his move to one of the big teams in Europe, after he signed with SSC Napoli from PSV Eindhoven a few days ago for a fee of €40m.

It is safe to say that Lozano is one of the hottest wingers in world football. He has been catching the eyes of everyone ever since his winning goal against Germany for Mexico in the 2018 World Cup.

His sure-footed pace and eagle eye for goal resulted in an impressive 2018-19 season. The speedster hit a personal best of 21 goals in 40 appearances and provided a further 12 assists in all competitions.

Overall, he hit an astonishing 40 goals and assisted 23 times in his two seasons at PSV. This just proves the mercurial rise of the 24-year-old.

He now has the chance to play with a number of top-quality attacking players in Naples, such as Arkadiusz Milik, Dries Mertens and Lorenzo Insigne. Napoli manager Carlo Ancelotti will face a headache every time he puts out the team sheet since his side have a plethora of forwards to choose from.

Without further ado, let us look at three ways that Ancelotti could set his team with the Mexican winger.

---

#3 Lozano in a 4-4-2 formation

Lozano could provide crosses for Milik (left) and Mertens (right)

This is the formation that Ancelotti is most likely to use, with Arkadiusz Milik and Dries Mertens as the two main strikers. Lozano will most likely play on the right hand side since Lorenzo Insigne is more accustomed to the left.

In this formation, the Mexican will be able to move down the flank and provide crosses for the two centre forwards in the box. He can link up with the right backs Kevin Malcuit or new signing Giovanni de Lorenzo, who both like to push forward. As a result, Lozano can drift into the middle and get into good goalscoring positions.

Lozano on the right in a 4-4-2

#2 Lozano in a 4-2-3-1 formation

Lozano could link up with Insigne (left) and Callejón (right)

With Milik or Mertens up top, Lozano could potentially play in his favored left wing position. Insigne would play in the center and Jose Callejón would play on the right.

The left winger likes to cut in with his right foot and this gives him many options in attack. He can play quick one-two passes with the teammates around him and go through on goal himself.

He can deliver an in-swinging cross for Milik to head past the goalkeeper. However, his trademark sequence is to cut inside and curl a shot at the far post.

If Ancelotti allows, this formation would bring out the best of Lozano’s abilities and bring Napoli closer to the Serie A title.

Lozano in his favored position on the left in a 4-2-3-1

#1 Lozano in the 4-3-3 formation

Lozano used to play with De Jong at PSV Eindhoven

The 24-year-old is most familiar with this formation, playing with his former winger partner Steven Bergwijn and Luuk De Jong in the no. 9 position.

The 4-3-3 formation is a serious option that Ancelotti should consider. The front three can interchange roles. This created a more fluid and dynamic attack, which defenders find difficult to break down.

One could imagine Lozano connecting Insigne and Milik or Mertens with quick, short passes. This would put him in better positions to score and assist in equal proportions.

He could play through balls to the two attackers alongside him. On the other hand, his teammates could draw defenders to them and allow the pacy winger to drive forward with the ball and go one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

With so many options for Ancelotti to choose from, there is no doubt that Lozano will play a key role in Napoli’s quest for the Italian championship. Hopefully, he will get to play against major rivals Juventus on Saturday and get a chance to prove his worth. For fans and neutrals, it will be a joy to watch the winger tear apart Serie A defenders this season.

Lozano on the right in a 4-3-3