'One-against-all' Neres scores brace and wins Supercoppa for Napoli

Although many expected a spectacle in Riyadh in the Supercoppa Italiana grand final, they saw only one team on the pitch. Napoli showed up in their full strength, but Bologna didn't.

From the first referee's whistle, it was clear that Antonio Conte's crew's motivation was at the highest possible level, pushing them forward throughout the game.

Only thanks to the Bologna keeper Federico Ravaglia did they hold off until almost the break. However, once David Neres broke the deadlock with a genuine banger in the 39th minute, the Neapolitans' victory wasn't at risk.

The second half brought a new bunch of chances for Conte's team, but once again, Neres was the only one capable of converting them. When the Brazilian completed a brace and set the final score, making it 2-0 in the 57th minute, Napoli's celebration could start.

As if Napoli were the only rival keen on winning the Supercoppa Italiana trophy, Antonio Conte's men established ruthless dominance from the start of the final.

Ten minutes into the game, Eljif Elmas wasted a colossal chance, missing the whole target from close range, but that was only the beginning.

Scott McTominay threatened shortly after, but Federico Ravaglia made an excellent save - his first of many at King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh.

In the 36th minute, Leonardo Spinazzola found himself in a one-on-one situation with the keeper, but the custodian, with a great deflection, and Bologna captain Lewis Ferguson, with a goal-line clearance, prevented the Neapolitans' opener.

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Or better said, they just postponed it by three minutes, as David Neres made no mistake in the 39th minute, scoring a banger from around 25 metres and giving Napoli a well-deserved lead at the break.

The second half started in the same rhythm as the first one ended - with the Serie A champions' offence.

In the opening two minutes of the second period, Ravaglia had to react twice and stop Rasmus Hojlund and Amir Rrahmani's dangerous attempts. Only after the Dane's second threatening effort a couple of minutes later did Bologna start hinting at a potential return, as Ferguson had a good chance to level with a header. Yet, it was only an illusion. This game belonged to Napoli.

Twelve minutes after the break, Ravaglia threw everything good he did out the window by sending a poor pass for Jhon Lukumi in his own box. Neres seized the chance to steal the ball, complete a brace, and double Conte's team's lead, bringing it to the brink of their first trophy of the season.

Shortly after the second, Napoli was close to scoring the third, and on several occasions, but mainly Hojlund's selfishness cost them a three-goal advantage. At the same time, a 2-0 lead kept Bologna's hopes of making a comeback alive.

In the end, Ravaglia managed to prevent more goals in his net, while his teammates' display remained uninspired and subpar. Bologna finished the game with three mild shots on target and Napoli deservedly lifted the first Italian trophy of the season.

SUPERCOPPA ITALIANA

Final

Napoli - Bologna 2-0 (1-0)

/Neres 39, 57/