The Editorial Team Monday 22 January 2024, 10pm
RIYAD (SAUDI ARABIA) – Lautaro Martinez in injury time he gave the fifth Italian Super Cup to Simone Inzaghi. The Nerazzurri coach, who had already won four finals out of four, became the most successful coach in the event, beating Fabio Capello and Marcello Lippi and put the trophy on the board for the third consecutive year after the successes in 2022 against Juve (2-1 after extra time) and 2023 against Milan (3-0). For Inter it is the eighth total trophy in the history of the competition, overtaking Milan and now close to Juventus, before the roll of honor with nine triumphs.
Simeone sent off in the second half, Napoli’s fort held until the 90th minute
Balanced match, neither of them wants to offer their side immediately. The first ring bears the signature of Dimarco, but his left-footed shot only grazes the post while shortly afterwards Mkhitaryan tries from the edge, without success. Inzaghi’s team has the ball in their hands and would even take the lead with Lautaro Martinez if it weren’t for the Argentine’s offside which forced the referee to cancel the goal. The first half ends goalless with the teams going to the locker rooms at 0-0.
Upon returning to the pitch, after the minute’s silence for the death of Gigi Riva, the Nerazzurri are trying, but the best opportunity comes to Kvaratskhelia who receives it on the left, he centralizes and attempts a right-footed shot, finding a great response from Sommer. The turning point of the match, however, comes immediately afterwards: Simeone, already booked for a foul on Cahlanoglu, enters on Acerbi, the referee Rapuano extracts the second yellow leaving Napoli with ten men and Mazzarri in the throes of anger. Second sacrosanct yellow, the first quite outside the yardstick held during the match.
The coaches try to draw from the bench, the Azzurri’s to defend themselves, Inzaghi for the victory. Thuram came close to taking the lead first, following a header from Pavard, then Mkhitaryan from the edge with a great right-footed shot which however went high. When penalties seem the most probable hypothesis, however, here is the flash of Lautaro Martinez who, following a cross from Pavard, turns the ball into the net which is worth the triumph in the Italian Super Cup.
NAPLES-INTER 0-1: NERAZZURRA SUPERCUP