Napoli performed optimally despite losing part of the pillar players when they beat Fiorentina 3-0 in the semifinals of Supercoppa Italiana at Al-Awwal Park Stadium, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Friday, January 19 in the morning WIB. Napoli also advanced to the final to face Inter Milan or Lazio.
Italian Serie A and Coppa Italia champions are no longer fighting for Supercoppa Italiana. The new concept with a final format four was first applied in the race for the trophy.
The format no longer brings together the league champions and the Italian Coppa but also runners up. The final four match was held in neutral places in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which previously hosted the Spanish Super Cup. Napoli, who is a league champion, started the new format by winning over Fiorentina as well as stepping into the final. Fiorentina took part in the race for the trophy after becoming the runner-up of the Coppa Italia.
In that match, Napoli did not come down with full strength. Some of the players driven by Victor Osimhen strengthened the national team in the Africa Cup of Nations. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Alex Meret was not taken to Saudi Arabia because he was still injured. Likewise Mathias Olivera, Natan, Diego Demme, Nico Gonzalez, Gaetano Castrovilli and Dodo are recovering.
Practically, coach Walter Mazzarri could not field the best squad. However, I Partenopei can still perform optimally.
Napoli immediately held an offensive game that suppressed the Napoli defense. Their efforts gave positive results.
Striker Giovanni Simeone put Napoli ahead after breaking into Fiorentina's goal in the 22nd minute, Simeone, who is none other than the son of Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone, finished his assist from Juan Jesus well.
Left behind 1-0, Fiorentina tried to get up. Although they still lose in the possession ball, occasionally their attacks can be a hassle for Napoli's defense.
In the 29th minute, La Viola almost got a penalty. However, after the referee reviewed it via VAR, the opportunity was canceled because no violations were committed by Napoli players.
Fiorentina finally got a penalty before the end of the first half. The penalty was given after defender Mario Rui dropped Jonathan Ikone in the forbidden box.
However, Icone who carried out the execution failed. His shot bounced over the crossbar so that Napoli remained one goal ahead when closing the first half.
In the second half, Fiorentina played more openly. Unfortunately their attacks always run aground. Pierluigi Gollini goalkeeper who replaced Meret showed his best performance.
He thwarted Lucas Beltran's attempt. Likewise, the attack by M'Bala Nzola failed to bear fruit. Meanwhile, midfielder Arthur Melo's kick still soared.
On the other hand, Napoli actually managed to add more goals towards the end of the match. Striker Alessio Zerbin who entered in the 81st minute immediately scored a brace within two minutes.
Having only played for three minutes, Zerbin, who came in to replace Pasquale Mazzocchi, immediately broke into Fiorentina's goal.
Zerbin really became Fiorentina's nightmare. In good condition, this 24-year-old player immediately ransacked the opponent's defense.
Not satisfied with one goal, he again beat goalkeeper Pietro Terracciano to score a brace, two minutes later. The score changed to 3-0 for Napoli and lasted until the end of the match.
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