Napoli booked their place in the Italian Super Cup final with a 2-0 victory over defending champions AC Milan on Thursday night in Riyadh. Rasmus Hojlund produced a match-winning performance at the King Saud University Stadium, setting up the opener and scoring the second to send Antonio Conte's side through to Monday's showpiece event.
The victory provides a much-needed morale boost for the Partenopei, who arrived in Saudi Arabia off the back of consecutive defeats, while Massimiliano Allegri’s Milan side struggled to find their rhythm throughout the contest.
After a tentative start from both teams, the deadlock was broken in the 39th minute through a moment of persistence from Hojlund. The Danish striker burst down the left channel and drilled a low cross that Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan could only get a fingertip to.
The deflection fell perfectly for David Neres at the back post, who made no mistake with a simple tap-in to give Napoli the lead. Milan, missing the creative spark of Rafael Leao, struggled to fashion clear-cut chances, with Christian Pulisic and Christopher Nkunku largely stifled by a disciplined Napoli defense.
Napoli doubled their advantage and effectively sealed the tie in the 64th minute. Hojlund, who was a constant physical presence, outmuscled defender Koni De Winter near the byline before driving into the box. From a tight angle, he unleashed a powerful low drive that wrong-footed Maignan and nestled into the far corner. The Manchester United loanee, who was later substituted to a warm embrace from teammate Romelu Lukaku on the bench.
Frustration boiled over for the Rossoneri in the closing stages as the game slipped away. Tensions flared on the pitch resulting in yellow cards for Scott McTominay and Fikayo Tomori after a scuffle, while reports also emerged of a heated exchange on the touchline involving Milan coach Allegri.
Napoli will now face the winner of Friday’s second semifinal between Inter Milan and Bologna in the final on Monday. For Napoli, the return of players like Lukaku to the matchday squad suggests they are regaining strength at a crucial point in the season, just in time to fight for the first trophy of the 2025 campaign.