Napoli are the first finalists of the Italian Super Cup. Conte’s side beat Milan 2-0, with goals from Neres and Hojlund.
Napoli-Milan, how did the first half go?
Massimiliano Allegri made three changes compared to the league match against Sassuolo. One was forced by injury, with De Winter replacing Gabbia. Two were technical choices, with surprise benchings for Bartesaghi and, above all, Modric, replaced by Estupiñán and Jashari. Conte responded with a 3-4-2-1 system, also changing a few players, giving starts to Juan Jesus and Politano, and welcoming back Lobotka.
The first shot on target came after one minute, a weak right-footed effort from Elmas at the edge of the box, easily saved by Maignan. In the fifth minute, Milan had a big chance. From an Estupiñán cross, Adrien Rabiot laid the ball off for Strahinja Pavlovic, whose overhead kick turned into an assist for Loftus-Cheek, but his close-range effort was blocked by Milinković-Savić. After 15 minutes, another good chance for Milan. Tomori crossed from the right, Tomori again flicked it on at the far post for the onrushing Saelemaekers, who volleyed from around the penalty spot but sent it over.
By the way, whether a fan is checking player stats, looking for live updates, or browsing sites like topxbonus.in to discover new digital trends and platform reviews, the modern matchday experience now stretches far beyond the ninety minutes on the pitch. In fact, the fans were electric in the stands and the atmosphere with every goal opportunity was at the top.
Midway through the first half, from a Napoli corner, Maignan misjudged his exit and favored McTominay, who laid it off to Elmas, whose shot went wide. Just past the half-hour mark, Napoli threatened again. Hojlund was sent through, held up the ball and laid it off to McTominay, who shot just wide from the edge of the area, with Maignan seemingly covered anyway. Ten minutes before the break, Milan built a good move. Pulisic switched play to Saelemaekers, who crossed to the far post where Rabiot headed over.
Two minutes later, Milan wasted a clear chance. A counterattack led by Saelemaekers in numerical superiority saw the Belgian choose Nkunku instead of the onrushing Pulisic. The pass was not perfect, Nkunku controlled and shot over. In the 39th minute, Napoli broke the deadlock. A through ball found Hojlund in the box, he shielded the ball from De Winter and squared it across. Maignan parried it short into the path of Neres, who scored from a few meters out into an empty net.
Milan tried to put Napoli under pressure after conceding, but in the first of two minutes of added time, the Partenopei went close to doubling their lead. A counterattack ended with Hojlund shooting low at the near post, forcing a fine save from Maignan. The teams went into the break with Napoli leading by one goal.
How was the second half of the Napoli-Milan match?
No changes at the restart. Milan tried to keep possession, while Napoli sat deep in their own half. In the eighth minute, the reigning champions created a chance. Politano slipped Neres through, Neres entered the box and squared for McTominay, who laid it off to Rrahmani, whose shot was saved by Maignan.
In the 18th minute, Napoli doubled their lead. Spinazzola played Hojlund through, who once again got away from De Winter and beat Maignan with a shot from a very tight angle. Allegri tried to shake things up, bringing on Athekame and Fofana for De Winter and Saelemaekers, switching to a kind of 4-3-2-1.
Napoli’s second goal completely took the wind out of Milan. The Rossoneri failed to create any real chances, even after Modric came on with 15 minutes left. Napoli, instead, went close to a third goal, first with Hojlund and then with McTominay.
In the seven minutes of added time, there were few scrambles in the Napoli box, but nothing concrete. Milan bow out in Saudi Arabia while Napoli now prepares to face Bologna in the final today.
