David Neres delivered when it mattered most, scoring twice to power Napoli past Bologna 2-0 and claim Super Cup silverware in a dominant display.
The Brazilian winger broke the deadlock six minutes before halftime, capitalizing on Napoli’s attacking pressure to give his side a crucial advantage. Bologna had already shown their frustration, with Torbjørn Heggem picking up a yellow card in the 44th minute, while Napoli’s Antony Conte was booked earlier in the 26th minute as tensions simmered.
Bologna manager rang the changes immediately after the break, introducing Jens Odgaard in search of fresh impetus, but it was Neres who continued to torment the opposition defense. The winger doubled his tally in the 57th minute, effectively putting the match beyond Bologna’s reach with a clinical finish.
Despite holding a slight edge in possession (50.6% to 49.4%), Bologna struggled to create clear-cut chances, managing just three shots on target compared to Napoli’s eight. Their frustration mounted as the match wore on, with N. Cambiaghi cautioned in the 50th minute and E. Holm joining the book in the 77th minute. Bologna’s 15 fouls to Napoli’s nine further illustrated their inability to contain the Italian side through fair means.
The final half-hour saw a flurry of substitutions, with Bologna making five changes in total—introducing Cambiaghi, Ferguson, Castro, and Orsolini in desperate attempts to find a way back. Napoli responded by withdrawing their hero Neres in the 78th minute, alongside changes including Elmas, Spinazzola, and Juan Jesus.
Napoli’s clinical edge proved decisive, converting eight of their 15 shots into efforts on target, forcing Bologna’s goalkeeper into five saves. The Super Cup now heads to Naples.
