BY OUR MAN IN RIYADH
NAPOLI turned the heat up in Riyadh last night as they brushed aside AC Milan to march into the Italian Super Cup final.
In a clash played out under the desert stars at the King Saud University Stadium, Antonio Conte’s side looked right at home 3,000 miles away from Naples. While the venue provided a neutral backdrop in the Saudi capital, there was nothing neutral about Napoli’s dominance as they secured a clinical 2-0 victory.
The 25,000-capacity arena—a futuristic bowl set to be a crown jewel for the 2034 World Cup—witnessed a masterclass in efficiency.
AC Milan, the current holders, arrived with Arabic lettering on their famous red-and-black shirts, but they left their spark back in Lombardy.
The deadlock was broken in the 39th minute when Rasmus Hojlund, the former Manchester United man, terrorized the Milan flank.
His fizzing low cross was only parried by Mike Maignan into the path of David Neres, who made no mistake tapping into the empty net.
The Saudi crowd, who had come to see the stars of Serie A, were treated to a Hojlund special after the break. In the 64th minute, the Dane showcased pure “Desert Power,” shrugging off Koni De Winter before slamming a thunderbolt from a tight angle into the far corner.
For Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri, the Riyadh air felt cold. Despite boasting the likes of Christian Pulisic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, the Rossoneri lacked the “bite” needed to crack a resolute Napoli defense.
Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo hailed the performance, stating the win was a massive statement for a team that has struggled in the league of late.
The Partenopei now remain in Riyadh to await the winner of the second semi-final between Inter Milan and Bologna. On this evidence, they are the team to beat in the desert.
NAPOLI: Milinkovic-Savic, Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Juan Jesus, Spinazzola, Anguissa, McTominay, Neres, Elmas, Hojlund.
AC MILAN: Maignan, Tomori, Pavlovic, De Winter, Saelemaekers, Fofana, Rabiot, Estupinan, Pulisic, Loftus-Cheek.
