Cagliari-Napoli Official Lineups: Conte Unleashes De Bruyne and Lobotka in Sardinia

Sardinia, March 20, 2026 – The tension is palpable at the Unipol Domus as Napoli prepares to face Cagliari in a high-stakes Serie A clash. Antonio Conte’s men are looking to extend their dominance, while Fabio Pisacane’s side is fighting for survival in what promises to be a defining moment of the 2025/26 campaign.

Conte’s Tactical Masterstroke: The Return of the Stars

Antonio Conte has made his intentions clear with the release of the official lineups. The headline news for the Partenopei is the inclusion of Kevin De Bruyne from the first minute. The Belgian maestro is set to pull the strings in the final third alongside Scott McTominay, providing the creative spark behind Danish striker Rasmus Højlund.

In the heart of the midfield, Stanislav Lobotka regains his starting spot, partnering with Billy Gilmour in a “double-play” setup that Conte has recently praised. Between the sticks, Milinkovic-Savic returns to reclaim the goalkeeper jersey, anchoring a three-man defense featuring Beukema, Buongiorno, and Olivera.

Pisacane’s Cagliari: A Battle for Survival

On the opposite side, Fabio Pisacane finds himself under immense pressure. Cagliari has endured a dismal run, picking up only two points from their last six matches. This poor form has dragged the Sardinians dangerously close to the relegation zone, making today’s encounter a must-win to restore faith among the home supporters.

Cagliari will mirror Napoli’s defensive solidity with a 3-5-2 formation. The attacking duo of Folorunsho and Sebastiano Esposito will lead the line, hoping to exploit any gaps left by Napoli’s aggressive wing-backs. The midfield will rely heavily on the energy of Gaetano and Sulemana to disrupt Napoli’s rhythm.

Official Lineups

Cagliari (3-5-2)

Starting XI: Caprile; Zé Pedro, Mina, Dossena; Palestra, Adopo, Gaetano, Sulemana, Rodriguez; Folorunsho, Seb. Esposito.
Coach: Fabio Pisacane.
Bench: Sherri, Ciocci, Mazzitelli, Kilicsoy, Deiola, Raterink, Albarracin, Lite, Zappa, Pavoletti, Mendy, Grandu, Trepy.

Napoli (3-4-2-1)

Starting XI: Milinkovic-Savic; Beukema, Buongiorno, Olivera; Politano, Gilmour, Lobotka, Gutierrez; De Bruyne, McTominay; Højlund.
Coach: Antonio Conte.
Bench: Meret, Contini, Juan Jesus, Lukaku, Elmas, Alisson, Mazzocchi, Spinazzola, Anguissa.

Match Expectations and How to Watch

Napoli enters the match as clear favorites following three consecutive victories against Verona, Torino, and Lecce. However, the atmosphere in Cagliari is notoriously difficult for visiting teams, and Pisacane will be demanding a “warrior-like” performance from his squad to halt the slide.

The match is scheduled for kick-off at 18:30 CET. Fans can follow the action live and exclusively on DAZN, with coverage starting shortly before the opening whistle.

Conclusion

With De Bruyne’s vision and Lobotka’s control, Napoli looks geared for another masterclass. Yet, for Cagliari, this is more than just a game; it is a fight for their Serie A life. Whether Conte’s tactical superiority or Pisacane’s desperation wins the day remains to be seen in what is sure to be an enthralling evening of Italian football.