Vincenzo Italiano could not hide his disappointment after Bologna failed to lift the Supercoppa Italiana, conceding defeat to a dominant Napoli in the final. The clash, staged in Riyadh, ended with a convincing 2–0 victory for the Partenopei and dashed Bologna’s hopes of adding a prestigious trophy to their cabinet.
For Bologna, the final represented a golden opportunity to cap an impressive run with silverware. Instead, they were forced to acknowledge Napoli’s superiority on a night where the reigning Italian champions showcased their class, intensity, and composure on the big stage.
Napoli’s Authority Decides the Final in Riyadh
From the opening whistle, Napoli looked determined to assert control. Their movement off the ball, sharp pressing, and fluid attacking combinations placed Bologna under constant pressure. Despite Bologna’s willingness to fight and compete, the gap in quality gradually became evident as the match unfolded.
Napoli broke the deadlock midway through the first half, setting the tone for the rest of the encounter. Bologna attempted to respond by raising the tempo and committing more players forward, but this only created additional space for Napoli to exploit.
The second goal proved decisive, effectively ending Bologna’s resistance and confirming Napoli’s grip on the Supercoppa. As the final whistle blew, Napoli’s players celebrated another statement victory, while Bologna were left to reflect on a painful but instructive defeat.
“Napoli Were Fantastic” – Italiano’s Honest Assessment
Italiano was refreshingly candid in his post-match assessment, openly admitting that his side had been second best.
“We tried to do everything we possibly could tonight against a team that played at an extraordinary level,” Italiano told Sport Mediaset. “Napoli were fantastic, and we simply couldn’t raise our performance enough to match theirs.”
The Bologna coach emphasized that effort was not the issue. His players ran, pressed, and fought until the end, but Napoli’s precision and control ultimately made the difference.
“We gave everything,” he added. “But when you face a team like Napoli, sometimes that still isn’t enough.”
David Neres Shines as Napoli’s Match-Winner
One of the standout performers on the night was David Neres, whose pace and creativity caused constant problems for Bologna’s back line. The Brazilian winger repeatedly found space between the lines, stretching the defense and creating dangerous situations.
Italiano singled out Neres as a key factor in the match, describing him as a “nightmare” for Bologna’s defenders. His direct running and technical quality gave Napoli a cutting edge that Bologna struggled to contain.
Although Bologna did have moments of promise — including a golden opportunity for Lewis Ferguson to equalize — Napoli’s second goal extinguished any remaining hope and shifted the momentum decisively in their favor.
Italiano Defends Goalkeeper Federico Ravaglia
Attention inevitably turned to Bologna goalkeeper Federico Ravaglia, whose costly mistake contributed to Napoli’s second goal. A misplaced pass in a dangerous area was ruthlessly punished, prompting criticism from some observers.
Italiano, however, refused to place the blame on his goalkeeper. Instead, he offered a passionate defense of Ravaglia, highlighting his commitment and previous contributions.
“Ravaglia has done great things for us in recent matches,” Italiano said. “He had a moment of difficulty, but that doesn’t change anything.”
The coach went further, expressing deep appreciation for the goalkeeper’s loyalty and connection to the club.
“He cares deeply about Bologna — it’s as if he has the club’s colors tattooed on his skin,” Italiano added. “One mistake does not erase everything he has given.”
A Fifth Final Without a Trophy, But No Regrets
The defeat marked another frustrating chapter in Italiano’s career, as it extended his record of losing four out of five finals as a head coach. Despite the statistic, the Bologna manager insisted he felt no regrets.
“I have no regrets tonight,” he said firmly. “The players gave everything they had.”
Italiano acknowledged that his team may have lacked patience at crucial moments, particularly when trying to force passes or play too quickly against a disciplined Napoli side. Still, he viewed the experience as a valuable lesson rather than a failure.
“Perhaps our biggest mistake was trying to force things instead of staying patient,” he explained. “But we were facing the reigning Italian champions. Reaching this final is an achievement in itself.”
Bologna Take Pride Despite Defeat
While the result was painful, Italiano emphasized that Bologna’s journey to the Supercoppa final deserved recognition. Competing on such a stage against elite opposition underlined the progress the club has made under his leadership.
The coach urged his players to take confidence from the experience and use it as motivation for the remainder of the season. Bologna may have fallen short on this occasion, but their resilience and ambition remain intact.
As Napoli celebrated another trophy, Bologna left Riyadh without silverware — but with their heads held high. For Italiano, the message was clear: defeat hurts, but growth often comes through moments like these.
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