Napoli secured the Italian Super Cup title on Monday with a 2-0 victory over Bologna in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Brazilian winger David Neres scored both goals, continuing a strong performance in the tournament after netting in the semi-final against AC Milan. This marks Napoli’s third triumph in the Italian Super Cup, adding to their wins in 1990 and 2014.
The match, held at the King Abdullah Sports City, saw Neres open the scoring with a curling shot before halftime. He doubled the lead in the second half, capitalizing on a mistake by Bologna goalkeeper Federico Ravaglia. The win provides a boost for Napoli as they continue their Serie A campaign.
Napoli Claims Italian Super Cup in Saudi Arabia
The Italian Super Cup has undergone a format change in recent years. Traditionally contested between the Serie A champions and the Coppa Italia winners, the competition now includes the runners-up from both tournaments, expanding the field to four teams. This year’s edition, like the previous one, was hosted in Saudi Arabia, a partnership contracted to continue through 2029, according to reports from Italian sports news outlets.
Napoli’s path to the final included a 2-0 win over AC Milan in the semi-final, where Neres also found the back of the net. Bologna reached the final after defeating Lazio in their semi-final clash. The expanded format aims to increase the prestige and viewership of the Supercoppa Italiana, but has also faced some criticism regarding its location and potential disruption to the domestic calendar.
Neres Shines for Napoli
David Neres was the standout performer of the tournament for Napoli, scoring a total of three goals across the two matches. His brace in the final demonstrated his attacking prowess and ability to perform under pressure. Neres joined Napoli in August 2023 and has quickly become an important player for the team.
The victory is particularly significant for Napoli manager Antonio Conte, who took over the team this season. Conte expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, stating in a post-match interview with Sport Mediaset that the players “deserved congratulations” and would enjoy a celebratory Christmas. This is Conte’s first trophy with the club since his appointment.
Bologna, currently enjoying a strong season in Serie A, will view this as a missed opportunity. They have been one of the surprise packages in the league, challenging for European qualification spots. However, they were unable to translate their league form into success in the Italian football competition.
The Serie A season is set to resume this weekend, with Napoli facing Cremonese in an away match on Sunday. They currently trail league leaders Inter Milan by two points, and will be looking to close the gap. Bologna will host Sassuolo at home, aiming to get back to winning ways after their defeat in the Super Cup final.
Looking ahead, the future of the Italian Super Cup’s location remains a topic of discussion. While the current agreement with Saudi Arabia extends to 2029, there have been calls for the tournament to return to Italy. The Italian Football Federation will likely assess the financial benefits and logistical challenges of both options before making a decision. The performance of Italian clubs in the Super Cup and Serie A will also be closely monitored as the season progresses.
The next key date for Napoli is their league match against Cremonese, where they will attempt to maintain pressure on Inter Milan at the top of the Serie A table. Bologna’s focus will shift back to their domestic campaign, with hopes of securing a European place.
The outcome of these matches, and the broader performance of Italian teams in both domestic and international competitions, will continue to shape the narrative of Italian football in the coming months.
