Antonio Conte’s First Trophy: David Neres Brace Sinks Bologna in Riyadh
Super Neres Fires Napoli to Historic Third Italian Super Cup Title
The match began with high intensity as both sides looked to establish control. Bologna, appearing in their first-ever Supercoppa final after a historic cup run, initially matched Napoli's aggression. However, the deadlock was broken in the 39th minute by a moment of pure individual brilliance. David Neres received a quick throw-in, cut inside from the right, and unleashed a stunning 25-yard curling effort with his left foot. The ball bent perfectly into the far top corner, leaving Bologna goalkeeper Federico Ravaglia rooted to the spot.
Capitalizing on Defensive Errors
Napoli entered the second half with a clear intent to kill off the game. While Bologna's Lewis Ferguson missed a golden opportunity to equalize with a header, Napoli remained ruthless. In the 57th minute, a catastrophic defensive mix-up between Ravaglia and defender Jhon Lucumí handed Neres his second. The winger pounced on a weak pass, dispossessed the defender, and delicately chipped the ball over the onrushing keeper. It was a goal that showcased not just Neres' skill, but his relentless pressing and game intelligence.
A Tactical Triumph for Antonio Conte
This victory marks a significant milestone for Antonio Conte, who secured his first trophy since returning to Italian football. Napoli's defensive organization was impenetrable, with Vanja Milinkovic-Savic providing a calm presence in goal. Despite missing key players like Alex Meret and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, the Partenopei dictated the tempo throughout the 90 minutes. Bologna fought valiantly, even introducing veteran Ciro Immobile late in the game, but they could not find a way through the compact Neapolitan wall.
The Legacy of the 2025 Supercoppa
With this win, Napoli adds a third Supercoppa Italiana to their cabinet, joining their previous triumphs from 1990 and 2014. For David Neres, the brace cements his status as a fan favorite following his summer move from Benfica. As the team flies back to Italy with the trophy, the focus now shifts back to their Serie A title charge, where they currently sit among the top contenders.
