It's the final! Neres and Hojlund send Napoli soaring, Milan head home | OneFootball

Milan does not repeat last year’s exploit and is eliminated by Napoli in the semifinals of the Italian Super Cup. Conte’s team plays a careful and clinical match. The Rossoneri waste chances with Saelemaekers and Nkunku, while Neres, just before the break, scores the opening goal with an assist from Hojlund. In the second half, Milan pushes forward but soon runs out of energy. Hojlund leaves De Winter behind in the box and doubles the lead. Napoli defends, Allegri’s team is never dangerous, and the Azzurri advance to Monday’s final.

It’s the Final! Neres and Hojlund make Napoli soar, Milan heads home

The Italian Super Cup heats up immediately with a clash that leaves no room for indifference. Napoli and Milan kick off the program with the most meaningful semifinal, not only because of the prestige of the teams on the field but also due to the historic moment both are experiencing. In the standings, combining league points, they are tied at 63; emotionally, both arrive after complicated days and questions that demand immediate answers.

The match in Riyadh is not just a simple cup game. It’s a turning point in the season, a psychological crossroads. And, as often happens when the stakes are high, mistakes can cost more than expected.

Antonio Conte is looking for a strong signal after two consecutive defeats, one in the league and one in the Champions League. In Naples, moods are notoriously sensitive to shocks: a third consecutive loss would be seen as an alarm bell, even if the season is still long. So far, every serious stumble by the Azzurri has been followed by an immediate reaction. Failing to do so now would change the narrative.

On the other side, Massimiliano Allegri seems to be in a more serene situation. Milan has been growing for months, is steadily in the top spots of Serie A, and has put a complicated previous season behind them. Allegri’s return and the management led by Tare have restored solidity and vision. However, elimination from the Coppa Italia weighs heavily, and reaching Christmas with two out of three objectives already gone would leave a bitter taste, even in an overall positive journey.

The paradox is clear: the “worst” Milan of recent years still managed to bring home a Super Cup and reach a Coppa Italia final. That’s why Allegri knows well that lifting a trophy now would mean more than just adding to the record books.

Because this is not a semifinal like the others. It’s a match that leaves its mark, whatever the result. And the verdict, whatever it may be, will be clear to all: between Napoli and Milan, whoever falls gets hurt.

The start of the match rewards Napoli’s approach, aggressive and organized, but as the minutes pass, Milan takes control of possession. The Rossoneri build consistently and threaten Milinkovic-Savic’s goal several times, giving the impression they could unlock the score. Allegri’s men move the ball fluidly, but lack precision in the final pass.

However, it’s Napoli who takes the lead. In the 39th minute, Hojlund attacks the space decisively, escapes De Winter’s marking, and delivers a perfect ball to the center of the box. Neres arrives at the right moment and makes it 1-0 with a tap-in, rewarding his reading of the play and Napoli’s verticality.

At the end of the first half, Napoli nearly doubles their lead: a quick counterattack orchestrated by Elmas and Hojlund, with the Dane finishing at the near post. Maignan reads it and deflects for a corner, keeping Milan alive.

Intense second half, Maignan holds on but Hojlund seals the deal

The second half opens with Napoli immediately dangerous. Rrahmani tries a powerful and angled shot from distance, but Maignan once again pulls off a great save, taking the ball almost out of the top corner. It’s a sign the match is still open.

Milan responds by increasing their pace and aggression. Allegri asks for more pressure and more men in the opponent’s half, and the Rossoneri try to break down the Italian champions’ defense with persistent possession. However, at the height of Milan’s effort, Napoli strikes again.

In the 64th minute, Hojlund once again makes the difference: a decisive run into space, another duel won with De Winter, and a powerful diagonal shot that beats Maignan. It’s 2-0, definitively steering the semifinal.

Final management and Napoli in control

In the final minutes, Milan tries a last-ditch assault, relying on substitutions. Fofana, just on the pitch, tries to inject energy, but without creating real danger for Milinkovic-Savic. Napoli, on the other hand, nearly scores a third with McTominay, who wastes a good chance by shooting high with his right foot.

The last minutes pass with the Azzurri calmly in control and the Rossoneri frustrated, unable to reopen the match despite their effort and possession.

The final 2-0 certifies a deserved victory for Napoli, who show solidity, ruthlessness, and a clear tactical identity. Conte knocks out Allegri and secures a spot in the Italian Super Cup final, scheduled for Monday, December 22. Two years after the 2023 final, Napoli will once again play for the trophy: now it’s just a matter of finding out who their opponent will be.

NAPOLI-MILAN 2-0

Napoli (3-4-3): Milinkovic-Savic 6.5; Juan Jesus 6.5, Rrahmani 7.5, Di Lorenzo 6.5; Politano 6.5 (32’ 2nd half Mazzocchi N/A), McTominay 6.5, Lobotka 6.5, Spinazzola 6.5 (36’ 2nd half Gutierrez N/A); Neres 7 (43’ 2nd half Vergara N/A), Elmas 6 (32’ 2nd half Lang 6), Hojlund 7.5 (36’ 2nd half Lucca N/A) Coach: Conte 6.5

Milan (3-5-2): Maignan 5.5; Tomori 6, De Winter 5 (24’ 2nd half Athekame 5.5), Pavlovic 6; Saelemaekers 6 (24’ 2nd half Fofana 6), Loftus-Cheek 5.5, Jashari 5.5 (30’ 2nd half Modric 6), Rabiot 5.5, Estupinan 5.5; Pulisic 5.5, Nkunku 4.5 Coach: Allegri 5

Referee: Zufferli 5.5 Scorers: 39’ Neres (N), 64’ Hojlund (N) Booked: Spinazzola, McTominay (N), Rabiot, Tomori, Athekame (M) Sent off: -.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.