Il Lab dell'8
Il Lab dell'8Football intelligence

Analysis · Data · Tactics

Football, explained through data and visuals.

An editorial space that turns event data, metrics and playing patterns into readable tactical questions. Pre-match analysis, opponent scouting and visual analysis without losing sight of the game.

Pre-matchOpponent scoutingMatch dataVisual storytelling

Latest analysis 01

Villarreal–Napoli 3-1: three lost balls, three goals.

Napoli had more territory and shot from closer, but all three Villarreal goals come from a ball they lost in their own half.

POST-MATCH · VILLARREAL–NAPOLIVillarreal–Napoli 3-1: three lost balls, three goals

POST-MATCH · UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE · 14 OCTOBER 2026

Villarreal–Napoli 3-1: three lost balls, three goals.

Napoli had more territory and shot from closer, but all three Villarreal goals come from a ball they lost in their own half.

3 of 3Villarreal goals from a ball Napoli lost
10 of 11Napoli shots from inside the box
1.70–1.24Sofascore xG: Napoli and Villarreal
Read the post-match

ARCHIVE 02

Previous analyses.

PRE-MATCH · 12 OCT 2026UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE · MATCHDAY 2Villarreal–Napoli: two faces, one weak spot.Villarreal change skin between home and away, but nine of the twelve goals they concede come from a lost ball. Napoli arrive with many absentees and an ending that can decide the game.READ AGAIN → POST-MATCH · 11 OCT 2026SERIE A · MATCHDAY 6Napoli–Frosinone 3-0: the risk was there, but Napoli got ahead first.Frosinone recovered more balls than usual but hit the target only once: Napoli scored in three different ways, twice between the 28th and the 31st minute.READ AGAIN → PRE-MATCH · 10 OCT 2026SERIE A · MATCHDAY 6Napoli–Frosinone: the danger comes from a lost ball, not a held one.Napoli will have more of the ball, but Frosinone live on interceptions and counter-attacks: the risk is the second after losing it.READ AGAIN → POST-MATCH · 20 SEP 2026SERIE A · MATCHDAY 5Fiorentina–Napoli 1-1: value changes when possession changesNapoli create more through organised possession; Fiorentina turn changes of possession into territory more efficiently.READ AGAIN → PRE-MATCH · 20 SEP 2026SERIE A · MATCHDAY 5Fiorentina–Napoli: the game starts when the first press is beatenVanoli had shown two ways of beating the first line. The pre-match focused on how Napoli could prevent that exit becoming an advantage.READ AGAIN → POST-MATCH · 13 SEP 2026SERIE A · MATCHDAY 4Napoli–Bologna 1-0: when possession becomes control.Napoli had more of the ball, more territory and more attacking output. Ferguson stayed in the circulation, but Bologna lost what came next.READ AGAIN → PRE-MATCH · 13 SEP 2026SERIE A · MATCHDAY 4Napoli–Bologna: not all possession is worth the same.The pre-match focused on Ferguson, wide progression and the moment Bologna possession might become territorial control.READ AGAIN → POST-MATCH · 10 SEP 2026UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE · MATCHDAY 1Napoli–Arsenal 0-1: the block keeps the scoreline close, not the game under control.Arsenal control territory and final-third connections. The goal after 88 seconds and 29 passes sums up the game.READ AGAIN → PRE-MATCH · 9 SEP 2026UEFA Champions League · Matchday 1Napoli–Arsenal: the risk of waiting, the risk of stepping out.Allegri’s Napoli may defend in a medium-low block. Arsenal’s right side, Ødegaard and the moments when Napoli step out shape the tactical dilemma.READ AGAIN → POST-MATCH · 6 SEP 2026Serie A · Matchday 3 Inter–Napoli 3-2: the problem starts after the regain.Napoli go 2-0 up and also manage to deny Inter many central entries. Then the game changes: Inter’s pressure rises, Napoli’s block drops and, above all, almost every regain gives the ball back to Inter too quickly. The comeback starts there, before the three goals themselves. READ AGAIN → PRE-MATCH · 2 SEP 2026Serie A · Matchday 3 Inter–Napoli: close the centre without giving up on attacking.Allegri already beat Chivu’s Inter twice last season. Those games suggest a possible route: protect the centre, guide Inter towards the outside and stay organised when the cross arrives. But this Inter can also punish a block that drops too deep, especially through Çalhanoğlu. And without McTominay, De Bruyne could change not only one player, but the way Napoli interpret the game. READ AGAIN → POST-MATCH · 30 AUGUST 2026Serie A · Matchday 2 Napoli–Como 1-2: when control changes shape.Como control the first half through the ball, territory and pressure; after the break they change height and structure without losing their grip on the game. READ AGAIN → PRE-MATCH · 29 AUG 2026Serie A · Matchday 2 Napoli–Como: who controls where the game is played.Possession, first pressure, transitions and second phases before kick-off. READ AGAIN → POST-MATCH · 24 AUG 2026Serie A · Matchday 1 Genoa–Napoli 0–2: same signals, a different response.Genoa still look recognisable; Napoli handle those patterns better and push the game higher after the break. READ AGAIN → PRE-MATCH · 20 AUG 2026Serie A · Matchday 1 Genoa–Napoli: opponent scouting through data.Pressing, build-up, progression, width and transitions before the game. READ AGAIN →

The method 03

Don't start with the chart. Start with the question.

01

Question

Which behaviour are we trying to understand, and why could it matter in the match?

02

Evidence

Select metrics and visuals that genuinely add information instead of showing data for its own sake.

03

Story

Connect the patterns to the tactical reading, separating what the data shows from what it only suggests.