Real Super Cup: Bologna edge out Inter to set up clash with champions Napoli

Bologna is no longer just a team competing with Serie A’s elite through quality and style; they are a club that, after half a century, is once again hunting for silverware in Italian football. The Italian Super Cup in Riyadh will see a showdown between the reigning champions and the Coppa Italia winners this Monday, as Bologna joins Napoli in the final. This comes after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Inter in the semifinals, following a 1-1 draw in regulation.

The role of the hero fell to the legendary goalscorer Ciro Immobile, who remained calm to convert in the fifth round of penalties following a series of misses from both sides. For Inter, the failures of Bastoni, Barella, and Bonny proved too much to overcome in the shootout lottery.

Of course, Immobile’s heroics were made possible by Federico Ravaglia, who denied both Bastoni and Bonny during the spot-kicks. The excellent goalkeeper was helpless only against Thuram’s early opener, but he later pulled off a save against Luis Henrique and got a hand to a powerful diagonal strike from Federico Dimarco.

Inter took an early lead in just the second minute after a swift attack and a clinical finish by Marcus Thuram, but the complexion of the match shifted completely in the 35th minute due to an ill-advised move by Yann Bisseck. The powerful defender attempted to head the ball over the bar, but it struck his forearm instead. After a VAR review, a penalty was inevitable, and Riccardo Orsolini stepped up to equalize.

Inter was the more aggressive side throughout, effectively being the only team mounting serious attacks in the second half. However, Vincenzo Italiano’s squad remained disciplined in their goal to take the game to penalties—and they succeeded. Inter even started the shootout better, with Lautaro Martinez scoring his attempt, but complications soon followed for Cristian Chivu’s side as his players produced inexplicable misses.

Even Stefan de Vrij’s successful attempt barely crossed the line after rattling the crossbar. Immobile’s winning strike wasn't perfect either, hitting the bar before eventually finding the back of the net to seal the victory.

SUPERCOPPA ITALIANA

Semi-finals

Thursday

Napoli - Milan (1-0)

/Neres 39, Hojlund 63/

Friday

Bologna - Inter 1-1 (3-2 on penalties)

/Orsolini 35 pen - Thuram 2/