Key Takeaways:
- Napoli clinched a 2:0 victory against Bologna in the Italian Super Cup final in Riyadh
- David Neres scored both goals, securing only Napoli’s second ever Scudetto and Super Cup double following 1990
- Bologna lost in their first appearance in a Super Cup final
Historic Triumph for Partenopei
Napoli captured their third Italian Super Cup title with a commanding 2:0 win over Bologna in Riyadh, courtesy of a remarkable brace from David Neres (39′, 57′). This achievement marks only the second time in club history that the Neapolitans have secured both the Serie A title and the Super Cup in a single year, a feat last accomplished in 1990 during the Diego Maradona era.
⏹️ Full time: #NapoliBologna 2-0
Vinciamo la SUPERCOPPA ITALIANA!!! 💙💙💙💙💙
💙 #ForzaNapoliSempre pic.twitter.com/thh3KPRO5o
— Official SSC Napoli (@sscnapoli) December 22, 2025
Tactical Line-Ups and Pre-Game Spectacle
Antonio Conte opted for an unchanged starting eleven from the 2:0 victory over Milan earlier in the week, with Rasmus Hojlund leading the line supported by Neres and Eljif Elmas. Bologna manager Vincenzo Italiano made two alterations to the side that overcame Inter on penalties in the semi-final. Captain Lewis Ferguson replaced Nikola Moro in midfield, and Nicolo Cambiaghi deputised for the injured Federico Bernardeschi on the left flank. Santiago Castro continued to spearhead Bologna’s attack.
Prior to kick-off, a host of former Serie A stars, including Fabio Capello, Roberto Baggio, Alessandro Del Piero, Christian Vieri, Marco Materazzi, Leonardo Bonucci, Cristian Panucci, Ciro Ferrara, and Vincent Candela, were honoured by the Saudi hosts. Amidst the celebrations, the stands were notably sparse, likely influenced by the absence of last year’s mini-tournament finalists, Milan and Inter. Nonetheless, the spectators present were treated to a vibrant pre-match show.
Match Analysis
Napoli began on the front foot, generating their opening chance in the 10th minute through an Eljif Elmas effort that missed the target. Five minutes later, Elmas tested Federico Ravaglia from distance, but the Bologna goalkeeper gathered comfortably. Bologna’s first attempt arrived in the 21st minute when Jens Odgaard fired well off target. The Neapolitans continued to press, with Amir Rrahmani heading wide from a corner in the 28th minute.
A slick Napoli move in the 37th minute saw Leonardo Spinazzola attempt a clever chip, forcing a deflection from Ravaglia and a subsequent goal-line clearance by Ferguson. The breakthrough came moments later, when Neres rifled home following a throw-in in the 39th minute, leaving Ravaglia stranded. Bologna responded immediately, but Vanja Milinkovic-Savic dealt with the ensuing effort.
Second Half: Neres Clinches the Double
Early in the second half, Rasmus Hojlund and Amir Rrahmani both threatened Bologna’s goal, but Ravaglia produced key saves. Ferguson then tested Milinkovic-Savic with a header, while the Scotsman and Emil Holm both failed to find the target with speculative attempts. The decisive moment arrived in the 57th minute, when Neres capitalised on a loose pass by Ravaglia, intercepting and delightfully chipping the goalkeeper to double Napoli’s advantage.
Neres nearly completed his hat-trick in the 65th minute but narrowly missed Hojlund’s delivery. Hojlund himself squandered a subsequent opportunity, and substitute Matteo Politano failed to extend the lead in the 72nd minute. For Bologna, Santiago Castro was unable to reduce the deficit, and Jonathan Rowe, off the bench, fired several off-target attempts. Politano spurned a clear opportunity for Napoli’s third goal in the 88th minute, failing to score from close range, while subsequent efforts from both sides’ substitutes could not alter the result.
Statistics and Line-Ups
| Team | Line-up |
|---|---|
| Napoli | Milinkovic-Savic, Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Jesus, Politano, Lobotka, McTominay, Spinazzola, Neres, Elmas, Hojlund |
| Bologna | Ravaglia, Holm, Heggem, Lucumí, Miranda, Pobega, Ferguson, Orsolini, Odgaard, Cambiaghi, Castro |
| Score | Scorers |
|---|---|
| Napoli 2:0 Bologna | 1:0 Neres (39′), 2:0 Neres (57′) |
Legacy and Club Honours
This sixth appearance in the Italian Super Cup final saw Napoli lift the trophy for the third time, following successes in 1990 and 2014. Bologna, meanwhile, fell short in their maiden final in this competition. Club captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo celebrated his third piece of silverware as Napoli skipper, adding to the two league titles secured within the past three years.
