Napoli has clinched the Supercoppa Italiana title, their third in club history, following a decisive 2-0 victory over Bologna in a captivating final held in Riyadh. The triumph was largely orchestrated by the brilliant performance of Brazilian forward David Neres, who netted both goals.
Neres Shines as Napoli Dominates Bologna
The match, played on December 23, 2025, saw Napoli assert control from the outset, displaying superior ball possession and attacking prowess. Bologna, who had previously shown resilience against Inter in the semi-final, struggled to contain Napoli’s offensive movements, particularly those led by the unstoppable Neres.
Neres opened the scoring in the 39th minute with a stunning left-footed curling shot from outside the box, leaving Bologna’s goalkeeper Ravaglia with no chance. This crucial goal sent Napoli into halftime with a well-deserved lead. The second half saw Bologna attempt to regroup, but their efforts were thwarted by Napoli’s solid defense and continued attacking pressure.
Key Moments and Tactical Decisions
Napoli’s coach, who had the advantage of an extra day’s rest for his squad, fielded a lineup similar to their semi-final success. Bologna, on the other hand, made adjustments due to injuries, with Cambiaghi replacing Bernardeschi and Ferguson stepping in for Moro.
Bologna’s high defensive line initially created some space for Napoli’s wingers, with Elmas having an early opportunity in the 10th minute, though his shot went wide. Napoli’s aggression and dominance in midfield were evident, as they consistently pressed Bologna and created scoring chances. A notable save by Ravaglia in the 36th minute denied Spinazzola, but he could do little to stop Neres’s exquisite opener just three minutes later.
Second Half Seals the Deal
Bologna made a tactical change at the start of the second half, bringing on Moro for Odgaard to push Ferguson further up the field. However, this change did little to stem the tide. Ravaglia was immediately called into action, deflecting a shot from Hojilund and then saving a header from Rrahmani.
The decisive moment came in the 57th minute when Ravaglia made a costly error, allowing Neres to intercept a lateral pass to Lucumi. The Brazilian capitalized on the mistake with a delicate chip over the goalkeeper, securing his brace and extending Napoli’s lead to 2-0. This goal effectively deflated Bologna’s hopes of a comeback.
With a comfortable two-goal cushion, Napoli continued to press, nearly adding a third goal through a combination between Hojilund and Helmas. Substitutions followed, with Lang and Gutierrez replacing Elmas and Spinazzola for Napoli, while Bologna brought on Rowe and Dallinga for Ferguson and Cambiaghi.
Towards the end of the match, Neres received a well-deserved ovation as he was substituted for Mazzocchi. Bologna’s final attempts to salvage the game were unsuccessful, with Politano missing a close-range opportunity for Napoli in the 43rd minute of the second half. The match concluded with a 2-0 victory for Napoli, sparking celebrations among the team and their coaching staff.
Historical Context and Future Implications
This Supercoppa Italiana triumph marks Napoli’s third victory in the competition, adding to their successes in 1990 and 2014, both times against Juventus. The dominant performance against Bologna underscores Napoli’s strength and tactical prowess under their current management.
The victory provides a significant boost for Napoli as they continue their season, while Bologna will need to analyze their performance and regroup for future challenges. The individual brilliance of David Neres will undoubtedly be a talking point, cementing his status as a key player for the Neapolitan side.
