In Riyadh for the Italian Super Cup final:
Napoli-Inter 0-1 LIVE
"FIGC and Lega Serie A will observe a minute's silence at the start of the second half of the EA SPORTS FC Supercup to remember one of the most beloved champions in the history of Italian football." The Lega Serie A explained this in a note, explaining that Inter and Napoli will observe a minute's silence at the start of the second half of the Italian Super Cup final.
EVE
For further information ANSA Agency Super Cup: Inter overwhelms Lazio 3-0 and goes to the final against Napoli In Riyadh the Nerazzurri won the second semi-final with goals from Thuram, Calhanoglu and Frattesi
Inter are targeting Napoli for the record.
After the overwhelming victory against Lazio, in fact, in the Italian Super Cup final in Riyadh the Nerazzurri, already winners in the last two seasons, will aim to equal Milan, the only team so far capable of winning three consecutive trophies (between 1992 and 1994).
And not only that, because with a victory in Riyadh in the final Simone Inzaghi would win his fifth Super Cup, thus overtaking Capello and Lippi, currently stuck at four, and would become the most successful coach in the history of the trophy.
A double objective towards which Inter is arriving with the wind in their sails, after the show of strength against Lazio.
A match dominated from the first to the last minute, so much so that the score, in light of the opportunities created by the Nerazzurri, could have even been more rounded.
Or at least Lautaro and his teammates could have ended the match much earlier, perhaps guaranteeing themselves a second half of greater control while also being able to take a breather, a factor that would have definitely been useful given the many close races.
Simone Inzaghi, Inter coach
There are many positive signs for Inzaghi, not only in the result and in the performance (also considering the state of form of Lazio, which came from five consecutive victories in all competitions) but also in the singles, with the increasingly greater weight of Dimarco (15 assists in the last two seasons, no Italian has done better) up to a rediscovered Barella, passing through a decisive Frattesi from the bench and also to a Latuaro who, despite not scoring, is increasingly driving.
"Match approached in the right way, only one more step left to reach one of our seasonal objectives. Now recover energy and prepare the final in the correct way. Thanks Riad for all the love", wrote the Argentine on social media after the success against Lazio.
"Strong together, forward together! Great match, for our fans in Italy and abroad", echoed Benjamin Pavard on Instagram.
Towards the match against Napoli, barring any last-minute surprises, Inzaghi should opt for the same starting line-up that faced Lazio, with the only possible run-off between Darmian and Dumfries on the right flank.
For further information Agenzia ANSA Supercoppa: Napoli in the final, Fiorentina beaten 3-0 PHOTO The Italian champions beat Viola and go on to play for the first Italian trophy of the season
The Super Cup is up for grabs, but above all we need to find Napoli who know how to play with the big teams, as was the case last season and which has now been lost. The Azzurri arrive concentrated at the final in Riyadh against Inter fresh from the match against Lazio, won with the same score with which Napoli beat Fiorentina (3-0).
Mazzarri knows the value of the match well: "For the team - he says - the final is important, they are good, young boys who have won the scudetto, they know that it is not easy to play this Super Cup and they have the ambition of winning the trophy. And 'a weapon and I will remember it in the locker room before the match."
Ambition must be transformed into awareness: "I never sign for a draw, I am training boys who are Italian champions. Against Inter in the championship, Napoli had superior ball possession but then lost 3-0 through the Inter's counterattack. But football is a subject that we professionals need to know how to interpret and we do so, we are lacking in terms of personnel with several defections but we are playing on an equal footing with Inter without underestimating anything."
Two starters like Anguissa and Osimhen are missing, but Mazzarri has faith in Simeone up front and in Cajuste who is better and is ready to play in midfield, while Zielinski starts on the bench, ready to pack his bags to join the Nerazzurri.
Walter Mazzarri and Victor Osimheh
Napoli were joined by two new faces, the ex-Verona talent Ngonge and the ex-Sassuolo Traoré: "With Ngonge - says the coach - I spoke for 5 minutes, he told me he was ready and available, if he plays a few minutes he won't have problems. I'm evaluating whether to play a player who has arrived in the team for two days and knows little about our automatisms. Traoré has to do a mini preparation for the second phase of the season, we're waiting for him. The others are fine even if we've done little training, tomorrow morning we will also have another small session in the hotel and we'll see, we'll get Cajuste back, Zielinski is fine from a physical point of view, while for Demme we'll see if we can bring him to the bench."
Captain Di Lorenzo underlines the desire to find the team that works again: "Inter as favourites? In a final it's the wrong word, two great teams are facing each other who are here because of what they did last season, the values of the championship are eliminated in 90', Inter are in great condition but we will be ready and give our all."
Di Lorenzo also talks about Mazzarri's new 5-man defence: "Beyond the formation - he said - it matters how you interpret it on the pitch, on paper it seems more defensive but instead it brings many of us in the offensive phase".
The formations
NAPLES
Gollini, Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Jesus, Mazzocchi, Cajuste, Lobotka, Zerbin, Politano, Kvaratskhelia, Simeone.
All.: Mazzarri.
INTER
Sommer, Pavard, De Vrij, Acerbi, Darmian, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco, Thuram, Lautaro.
All.: S.Inzaghi.
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