Antonio Conte has delivered a clear and uncompromising message ahead of the Supercoppa Italiana final between Napoli and Bologna in the early hours of Tuesday (December 23, 2025). According to the Napoli head coach, the trophy now carries greater prestige and demands a higher level of sacrifice following the introduction of the competition’s new format.
Speaking ahead of the decisive clash, Conte stressed that the revamped structure has fundamentally changed the nature of the Supercoppa. No longer a one-off contest between two teams, the tournament now requires participants to navigate a semifinal before reaching the final—a shift that Conte believes has dramatically raised the difficulty and value of lifting the trophy.
For Napoli, the opportunity is clear, but so is the pressure. Conte has made it known that there will be no room for complacency, reminding his players that football history remembers winners alone.
New Format, New Prestige
Conte was emphatic in his assessment of the four-team format, which he believes has transformed the Supercoppa into a more competitive and meaningful title.
“This new format is interesting, but it makes everything more difficult because you have to go through a semifinal before the final,” Conte told Sport Mediaset. “A trophy designed like this becomes more important.”
Previously, the Supercoppa simply pitted the Serie A champions against the Coppa Italia winners. Now, with four elite sides involved, the margin for error has narrowed significantly. Teams must arrive sharp from the very first match, knowing that one poor performance can end their campaign.
Conte argues that this added layer of challenge enhances the hunger to succeed. Winning the trophy now requires consistency, focus, and the ability to handle knockout pressure across multiple matches.
No Reward for “Almost” Winners
In his trademark direct style, Conte reminded his squad that football offers no consolation prizes for those who fall just short.
“History only remembers the winners,” he emphasized. “There is no special place for teams that almost won.”
It is a message Conte has repeated throughout his career, reinforcing a ruthless winning mentality. For Napoli, who have spent recent seasons trying to re-establish themselves among Italy’s elite, the Supercoppa represents more than silverware—it is a statement of intent.
The coach’s words underline the seriousness with which Napoli are approaching the final against Bologna, a side that has earned admiration for its organization and resilience this season.
Building Napoli for the Long Term
Conte was also keen to place the Supercoppa final within the broader context of Napoli’s long-term project. While success in Riyadh would be celebrated, the Italian tactician insists his ambitions in Naples extend far beyond a single trophy.
“On the day of my presentation, I said that a place like Naples deserves a team capable of fighting every year,” Conte recalled. “Now we are continuing our journey in the league and in the cups, trying to build foundations that can last.”
Under Conte’s guidance, Napoli are being shaped into a side capable of challenging consistently across all competitions. The focus is on structure, mentality, and sustainability—qualities Conte believes are essential for enduring success rather than fleeting triumphs.
The Supercoppa final, in that sense, is both a test and a milestone in a much larger process.
Lessons Learned from Defeat
Interestingly, Conte drew on his own experiences of defeat to motivate his players. Despite being one of the most decorated managers in modern football, he admitted that losing finals has played a crucial role in shaping his mindset.
“I’ve won many things, but I’ve also lost many finals,” Conte said candidly. “Those defeats gave me an inner strength that many people don’t understand.”
Rather than dwelling on disappointment, Conte views those moments as formative experiences. Losing, he believes, can sharpen focus and foster a deeper hunger to win. It is a philosophy he hopes his Napoli squad will embrace—using fear of defeat not as a weakness, but as fuel.
Preparing for the Possibility of Penalties
With finals often decided by the finest of margins, Conte acknowledged the real possibility that the match against Bologna could be settled by a penalty shootout.
While Napoli have prepared for such a scenario, the coach was quick to point out that training conditions cannot fully replicate the pressure of a final.
“It can happen that someone takes penalties very well in training, but the pressure during the match becomes extremely high,” Conte explained. “You have to think that there will be no second chance.”
Choosing penalty takers, he suggested, is as much about mentality as technique. In moments of maximum tension, composure and belief can matter more than flawless execution on the training ground.
Napoli’s Moment of Truth
As Napoli step into the Supercoppa final, Conte’s message is unmistakable: this is a moment that demands courage, discipline, and a winning mindset. The new format has raised the stakes, and with it, the significance of lifting the trophy.
For Bologna, the final represents a chance to defy expectations. For Napoli, it is an opportunity to validate Conte’s vision and take another step toward sustained excellence.
Whether the match is decided in normal time or under the extreme pressure of penalties, one thing is certain—Antonio Conte has ensured his players understand exactly what is at stake. In a competition that now demands more than ever, only one name will be etched into history.
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