RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Napoli won the Italian Super Cup on Monday as David Neres scored twice to secure the reigning Serie A champions a 2-0 win over Bologna in the final in Jeddah.
Brazilian winger Neres curled in a brilliant shot from distance to give Napoli the lead before half-time against last season’s Italian Cup winners.
He struck again in the second half after intercepting a weak pass from Bologna goalkeeper Federico Ravaglia as he tried to play out from the back.
Neres finished with three goals in the Super Cup after also scoring in the 2-0 semifinal win over AC Milan last week.
It is the third time Napoli have won the competition, after 1990 and 2014.
“The lads deserve congratulations,” Napoli coach Antonio Conte told Sport Mediaset.
“They showed how much they wanted this trophy for the fans, and we’ll also have a great Christmas celebration now with a new trophy in the cabinet.”
Traditionally featuring the Serie A and Italian Cup champions, since 2023 the Italian Super Cup has also included the runners-up from league and cup.
The four-team tournament is contracted to be held in Saudi Arabia until 2029.
Napoli, who trail Serie A leaders Inter Milan by two points, return to league action on Sunday away to Cremonese. Bologna are at home to Sassuolo.
Meanwhile, Arsenal is top of the Premier League at Christmas, but the Champagne can stay on ice for now.
Mikel Arteta knows from painful experience that festive standings guarantee nothing when it comes to eventually lifting the title.
Arsenal led the way at this point in 2022 and 2023, only to be twice beaten to the crown by Manchester City.
Topping the table at Christmas has traditionally been a bad omen for the North London club, even before Arteta’s time as manager. On four previous occasions in the Premier League era it has held the Yuletide No.1 and never gone on to be crowned champion.
Pep Guardiola and his City side may be most encouraged by the standings, having gone on to win the title on four occasions when not leading at this stage.
Arteta, however, is not dwelling on past failures.