Supercoppa Italiana verdict: Newspapers crown Napoli deserving champions

Antonio Conte and Napoli claimed their second title of the calendar year with a 2-0 victory against Bologna to claim the Supercoppa Italiana trophy on Monday night in what has been described as a dominant and deserving victory. Here is a look at what the morning papers have had to say after the latest Conte ‘masterpiece’. 

A clean sheet and a David Neres brace sent Naples into a frenzy on Monday night. This is Napoli’s third ever Supercoppa Italiana victory, and the first time since 1990 that they have won both the Serie A and Supercoppa titles within the same year. Diego Maradona was still the star of the show the last time that happened. 

This is also Conte’s third Supercoppa Italiana victory, adding to the two that he won with Juventus in 2012 and 2013. He now has 11 major titles as a head coach on his CV. 

Naturally, most of the praise after Monday night’s final has centred around head coach Conte and goalscorer Neres. 

La Gazzetta dello Sport have labelled the Brazilian an ‘honorary prince of Riyadh’ after his performance over the Supercoppa Italiana final and semi against Milan on Thursday. 

The Pink Paper has also described Neres as being ‘this season’s McTominay’, suggesting that it is his goals – three in the Supercoppa and three in his last four Serie A appearances – that are sending Napoli on their way to more silverware this campaign. 

There has also been praise for centre-forward Rasmus Hojlund, whose 10 goal involvements in his last 19 appearances have made a massive difference in the absence of Romelu Lukaku this season. 

Corriere dello Sport labels Napoli the ‘Superchampions’. They say that the Partenopei were ‘dominant from start to finish’ on Monday night, and that from early on, it didn’t even look like a fair contest. As well as Conte and Neres, Corriere dello Sport has also highlighted the performances of Stanislav Lobotka and Juan Jesus over the last two matches.

Editor Ivan Zazzaroni, a self-described ‘disappointed Bolognese’, says that Napoli ‘deserved it and were clearly superior’. 

Il Mattino describes this victory as the perfect end to a stellar year for Napoli, and a great way to prepare for their centenary, which they will celebrate on August 1, 2026.