The Supercoppa Italiana mini-tournament concludes on Monday night in Saudi Arabia with the final between Napoli and Bologna.Here is everything you need to know ahead of the first piece of silverware o...
The Supercoppa Italiana mini-tournament concludes on Monday night in Saudi Arabia with the final between Napoli and Bologna.
Here is everything you need to know ahead of the first piece of silverware of the season being handed out in Italy.
Where and when is the game?
The Supercoppa Italiana final begins at 22:00 local time (20:00 CET) at the King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh on Monday, December 22.
The same stadium played host to each semi-final and in the event of a draw after 90 minutes, the contest will be decided by a penalty shootout with no extra-time.
How did the teams qualify?
It is perhaps fitting that both Milan clubs were swatted aside in the semi-finals and this is the final we are treated to as it carries with it a sense of tradition.
The fixture will see the Scudetto holders Napoli take on the Coppa Italia winners Bologna after their respective victories.
David Neres and Rasmus Højlund scored in each half as the Partenopei comfortably defeated Milan 2-0, while Bologna fought back from an early deficit to take Inter to penalties where they triumphed 3-2 on spot-kicks.
One player to watch from each team
Rasmus Højlund (Napoli)
The Dane was the star man in the semi-final victory over Milan and popped up with the vital clinching goal that sealed his side's place in Monday night's showdown.
He'll lead the line again as he looks to pick up his first winner's medal since swapping Manchester United for Campania on loan during the summer.
Federico Ravaglia (Bologna)
The 26-year-old is accustomed to playing second fiddle to Łukasz Skorupski between the posts for the Felsinei but has made the most of his opportunities recently.
He made an outstanding semi-final save from a ferocious Federico Dimarco volley then went on to make two stops in the penalty shootout to send his side to the final, where he'll have to be at his best again if they are to end the year with a trophy.
Who are the coaches?
Antonio Conte (Napoli)
To say the former Italy coach's 18 months in Naples have been turbulent would be an understatement, often flitting between success and spicy comments as he looks to improve his squad.
But his influence has been undeniable - becoming just the fourth man ever to lead the Partenopei to the title and is the favourite to add a Supercoppa gold medal to his haul.
Vincenzo Italiano (Bologna)
After impressing for three years with his exciting football at Fiorentina, the 48-year-old moved on to Bologna in 2024 after Thiago Motta's exit and won a rare trophy in his first campaign.
This season has been a much more difficult one, if only on a personal note with Italiano suffering from a concerning case of pneumonia in October, although his side are still flying high and currently sixth in Serie A and he now has the chance to add a second trophy to an already impressive CV.
Predicted line-ups
Napoli (3-4-2-1): Milinkovic-Savić; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Juan Jesus; Politano, Lobotka, McTominay, Spinazzola; Neres, Elmas; Højlund.
Bologna (4-2-3-1): Ravaglia; Holm, Heggem, Lucumí, Miranda; Moro, Pobega; Orsolini, Odgaard, Rowe; Castro.
📸 GIUSEPPE CACACE
Category: General Sports