RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – In a night defined by tactical discipline and individual brilliance, SSC Napoli defeated Bologna FC 2-0 at Al-Awwal Park to lift the 2025 Supercoppa Italiana. 

A stunning brace from Brazilian winger David Neres proved the difference, securing Antonio Conte’s first piece of silverware since leading the Partenopei to the Scudetto earlier this year.

The victory marks Napoli's third Super Cup title in club history—their first since 2014—and offers a sense of "vendetta" after their recent 2-0 league defeat to Vincenzo Italiano’s side in November.

Match Summary: The Neres Show

The final was a clash of styles: Conte’s rigid, counter-attacking efficiency versus Italiano’s high-pressing, fluid Bologna. While the Rossoblù held their own for much of the first half, they struggled to find a clinical edge without several key starters, including Remo Freuler and Lukasz Skorupski.

• 39th Minute: The deadlock was broken in spectacular fashion. After a period of sustained pressure, David Neres picked up the ball outside the area and unleashed a curling strike that left Bologna goalkeeper Federico Ravaglia helpless, nestling into the far corner.
• 57th Minute: Napoli doubled their lead by capitalizing on a defensive lapse. Neres pounced on a loose ball following a high press on Jhon Lucumí, drove into the box, and coolly chipped Ravaglia to effectively seal the trophy.

Bologna attempted to respond by introducing veteran Ciro Immobile late in the second half, but Napoli’s backline—marshaled by Amir Rrahmani and captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo—remained impenetrable.

Tactical Breakdown

Antonio Conte’s 3-4-2-1 system prioritized defensive solidity, allowing Scott McTominay and Stanislav Lobotka to control the tempo while Neres and Eljif Elmas exploited the half-spaces. For Bologna, despite the loss, reaching the final after a historic penalty shootout win over Inter Milan cements their status as a rising force in Italian football.

Post-Match Reactions

Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis was quick to praise his manager:

• "Antonio Conte is a maestro. We lost to Bologna in the league, but here we showed our true character. This trophy is for the fans who traveled across the world to be with us."
• Rasmus Højlund, who started the match and has been in fine form since joining on loan from Manchester United, took to social media to celebrate the win, captioning a photo with the trophy: "What a great decision looks like," a subtle nod to his successful transition to life in Naples.

The Evolution of David Neres under Conte

When David Neres arrived in Naples, he was often labeled a "luxury substitute"—a high-flair winger better suited for late-game chaos than structured tactical systems. However, the Supercoppa final in Riyadh proved that Antonio Conte has transformed him into a disciplined tactical weapon.

From Flair to Function

Under Conte’s 3-4-2-1, Neres has transitioned from a touchline-hugging winger to an "inverted playmaker."

• The Inside Channel: Instead of staying wide, Neres occupied the "half-spaces" alongside Eljif Elmas. This forced Bologna’s full-backs, Holm and Miranda, into uncomfortable central positions, leaving room for Napoli’s wing-backs to push high.
• The Defensive Shift: Conte's signature demands are defensive work rates. In Riyadh, Neres was seen tracking back to assist Di Lorenzo, a discipline rarely seen during his stints at Benfica or Ajax.
• The "Pouncing" Goal: His second goal (57th minute) was a classic Conte goal. It wasn't born from individual dribbling, but from a coordinated high press that forced Jhon Lucumí into a mistake. Neres’s anticipation highlighted his new "tactical intelligence."

Historical Comparison: 1990 vs. 2025

Napoli fans are naturally drawing parallels between this current era and the club's golden age. This Supercoppa victory marks the first time since 1990 that the club has held both the Scudetto and the Supercoppa simultaneously.

The Cultural Shift

The 1990 victory was an explosion of joy at home, a statement of dominance over the "OLD LADY" (Juventus). It was the pinnacle of the Maradona era, fueled by individual genius and a sense of local defiance.

The 2025 victory feels more like the "Industrialization" of Napoli. Under Conte, the team has moved away from the romantic, "beautiful football" of the Sarri or Spalletti years and toward a relentless, winning machine. 

Winning in Riyadh—thousands of miles from the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona—signifies Napoli's status as a global brand and a modern European powerhouse.

While Neres is no Maradona, his brace in Riyadh echoes Careca’s brace in the 1990 final. 

Both Brazilians found their best form under the shadow of Vesuvius, proving that Napoli's "Samba connection" remains as vital as ever.