A goal from the Argentine Giovanni ‘Cholito’ Simeone and a lightning double from Zerbin in the final stages tipped the balance this Wednesday in favor of Naples, which got rid of Fiorentina (3-0) and sealed with authority its pass to the final of the Italian Super Cup, which awaits the winner of the duel between Inter and Lazio this Friday.
The first Italian Super Cup with the Spanish model, with four teams and three games in total, was presented with an empty Al-Awwal Park stadium. Controversy has reigned in Italy these days for holding the tournament in Saudi Arabia and the absence of Milan and Juventus in it has been one of the causes of lack of interest from the local public.
But Naples and Fiorentina left everything behind when the ball started rolling. It was a key duel for Mazzarri after the rumors of Mourinho’s offer to the Neapolitan bench; and a new level test for a ‘Fiore’ that last year lost two finals.
Without the Argentine Nico González in the ‘Viola’ eleven, still injured, it was another Argentine who opened the season for the duel. He took advantage of Simeone’s precious opportunity, the one offered by the Nigerian Victor Osimhen when he left to play in the Africa Cup. In 23 minutes, ‘Cholito’ gave his coach a warning and raised his hand to ask for a seat.
The forward line of the ‘Fiore’ and Mazzarri’s change of system, which changed Luciano Spalletti’s 4-3-3, non-negotiable until now and almost forced by the club’s own president, the Italian Aurelio de Laurentiis, allowed Napoli be more comfortable on the field. The drop in level of the ‘Fiore’ in recent weeks continued, giving more options to those from Vesuvius.
With just two touches, Naples took the game. A diagonal and low pass from the Brazilian Juan Jesús found the perfect unmarking of Simeone behind the advanced Florencia defense. The striker stood in the area and shot the Italian Pietro Terracciano to get the tie back on track.
The ‘Fiore’ woke up after conceding. The Argentine Lucas Beltrán found the goal, but it was disallowed due to offside by the Italian Giacomo ‘Jack’ Bonaventura. And just before the break, Frenchman Jonathan Ikoné sent the penalty he himself caused into the clouds.
‘Fiore’ forgave and Naples became stronger. He did not suffer in the entire second half, he controlled the duel with maturity and authority, all of which he had lacked to date since he lifted the third ‘Scudetto’ in his history less than a year ago. He regained confidence and stood his ground. The feeling was that the game was theirs.
And this was confirmed by the young Italian Alessio Zerbin, who took the field in the 81st minute and in the 87th minute had already signed his double. The first with a shot to the far post after a combing by the Italian Giovanni Di Lorenzo that earned him, in addition to sealing the match, a good blow against the post.
Recovered after a minute lying on the ground, in his team’s next possession he put an end to any possible ‘Viola’ insurrection. Powerful and fast driving and unquestionable shot close to the stick. 3-0 and to think about the final, in which Naples already awaits Inter or Lazio. The ‘Fiore’ continues with its bad streak in the decisive moments.
