SSC Napoli will take on AC Milan in the high-stakes Supercoppa Italiana clash in Riyadh on Thursday night.

For the first time in Supercoppa Italiana history, Napoli and AC Milan will meet on neutral ground, with Riyadh hosting a heavyweight semi-final that promises tension, pedigree, and high stakes. With a place in the final on the line, where either Inter Milan or Bologna await, both clubs momentarily step away from the Serie A title race to chase silverware.

Napoli arrive in Saudi Arabia with ambition tempered by recent setbacks. Crowned Italian champions for the fourth time last season, the Partenopei are aiming to lift the Supercoppa for the third time, having previously done so in 1990 and 2014. However, momentum has stalled at an awkward time. Consecutive defeats in Serie A and the Champions League have disrupted confidence, ending a five-match winning streak across all competitions.

A limp 2-0 loss away to Benfica was followed by a narrow 1-0 league defeat at Udinese, and in both matches, Napoli struggled to impose themselves offensively. Those results have once again highlighted a recurring issue under Antonio Conte: performances away from Naples.

Napoli have already lost seven matches on the road this season, with six of Conte’s eight Serie A defeats coming outside Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, including all four league losses in the current campaign. By contrast, their home form has been formidable, completing an unbeaten calendar year in Naples.

The setting in Riyadh offers something of a reset, but uncertainty remains over how Napoli will respond in a high-pressure neutral venue. Currently sitting one point and one place behind Milan in Serie A, and two adrift of new leaders Inter, this semi-final represents an opportunity to regain belief and momentum through silverware.

AC Milan, meanwhile, arrive with their own inconsistencies but a stronger recent record in this fixture. The Rossoneri qualify for the Supercoppa as Coppa Italia runners-up, yet they are also the defending champions, having defeated Inter in January to lift the trophy. Another triumph would see Milan draw level with Juventus on a record nine Supercoppa titles, a powerful incentive.

Historically, this match-up is finely balanced. Across the last 20 meetings, Napoli and Milan have won seven apiece, with six draws. However, recent encounters slightly favour Milan. Their only defeats to Napoli across the last eight clashes came in Serie A last season, while the Rossoneri emerged victorious in the 2023 Champions League quarter-finals and beat Napoli again two months ago at San Siro.

Milan’s form has dipped in recent weeks, but not without flashes of resilience. After an early Coppa Italia exit, Massimiliano Allegri’s side scraped past Torino before being held to a draw by Sassuolo. In that match, Milan showed character by overturning a deficit, with young wing-back Davide Bartesaghi scoring a remarkable brace, only to concede late and settle for a point.

Defensively, standards have slipped. After keeping clean sheets in their first six matches of the season, Milan have managed just four shutouts in their next 12, often conceding soft goals against teams outside the elite. Still, experience remains a powerful asset.

Allegri’s calm game management and the enduring influence of Luka Modrić have helped AC Milan stay firmly embedded in a congested Scudetto race, and crucially, they remain unbeaten away from home.

With both sides searching for rhythm rather than flowing football, this Supercoppa semi-final feels more likely to be decided by moments rather than momentum. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how the clubs could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.

Team News & Tactics

SSC Napoli

The reigning Serie A champions arrive in Riyadh with a mixed injury picture that offers both encouragement and limitations for Antonio Conte. There is positive news in attack, as Romelu Lukaku has returned to full training after spending four months sidelined with injury.

While a starting role would be a major surprise, the Belgian striker could be named among the substitutes, providing Conte with an additional option from the bench. Stanislav Lobotka also returned to action at the weekend, a timely boost in midfield given Napoli’s recent struggles to control games away from home.

However, several key absentees remain. Kevin De Bruyne continues to miss out, depriving Napoli of creativity and leadership in central areas, while Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Billy Gilmour are also unavailable, further thinning midfield depth. Goalkeeper Alex Meret remains sidelined as well, ensuring changes between the posts. There are no suspension concerns, but Conte’s selection is clearly shaped by injuries rather than preference.

In Lukaku’s prolonged absence, Rasmus Hojlund has assumed responsibility as Napoli’s attacking focal point and has delivered consistently. The Danish forward has registered eight goal involvements across all competitions, combining physical presence with intelligent movement, and he is expected to continue leading the line in this Supercoppa semi-final.

From a tactical standpoint, Napoli are expected to deploy a 3-4-2-1 system that prioritises defensive structure while allowing flexibility in advanced areas. Vanja Milinkovic-Savic should start in goal, offering physical presence and shot-stopping reliability.

The back three is likely to feature Sam Beukema on the right, Amir Rrahmani as the central organiser, and Alessandro Buongiorno on the left, forming a compact and disciplined defensive unit. In midfield, Giovanni Di Lorenzo is expected to operate as the right wing-back, providing leadership and overlapping runs, while Miguel Gutierrez fills the left wing-back role, tasked with stretching play and supplying crosses.

Stanislav Lobotka should anchor central midfield, dictating tempo and recycling possession, alongside Scott McTominay, whose box-to-box energy and physicality add balance. Ahead of them, Noa Lang and David Neres are likely to play as the two attacking midfielders, drifting inside to support the striker and attack half-spaces. Rasmus Hojlund is set to lead the line as the lone centre-forward for Napoli against AC Milan.

Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Milinkovic-Savic; Beukema, Rrahmani, Buongiorno; Di Lorenzo, Lobotka, McTominay, Gutierrez; Lang, Neres; Hojlund

AC Milan

The current Serie A leaders head into the Supercoppa semi-final with a relatively stable squad, though a handful of fitness concerns continue to shape Massimiliano Allegri’s selection. Santiago Gimenez remains unavailable as he continues to recover from an ankle problem, leaving Milan without a natural centre-forward.

Matteo Gabbia has also been ruled out after failing to travel to Saudi Arabia due to a minor knee injury, opening the door for changes in central defence. There are no suspension issues for the Rossoneri. Rafael Leao is available again after missing the weekend draw with Sassuolo as a precaution, and his fitness will be assessed closer to kick-off.

Once again, Milan’s attacking focal point is Christian Pulisic. The American has been in outstanding form, most recently scoring a decisive brace against Torino. Since arriving in Serie A two years ago, Pulisic has amassed 41 goals and 22 assists in all competitions, underlining his importance to Milan’s attacking output. He has also already found the net against Napoli this season, further reinforcing his threat in this matchup.

From a tactical perspective, Milan are expected to line up in a 3-5-2 formation that prioritises midfield control and wing-back width. Mike Maignan should start in goal, providing leadership and shot-stopping reliability. The back three is likely to see Koni De Winter deployed on the right, with Fikayo Tomori operating centrally as the organiser and Strahinja Pavlovic providing balance on the left.

In midfield, Alexis Saelemaekers is expected to operate as the right wing-back, offering energy and pressing, while Davide Bartesaghi fills the left wing-back role, tasked with stretching play and delivering from wide areas. The central midfield trio should include Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Luka Modrić and Adrien Rabiot, combining physical presence, tempo control and experience.

Ahead of them, Christian Pulisic is set to lead the attack, likely partnering Christopher Nkunku if Rafael Leao is not deemed ready to start. Pulisic’s movement and finishing, alongside Nkunku’s link-up play, give Milan a dynamic attacking edge.

Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Maignan; De Winter, Tomori, Pavlovic; Saelemaekers, Loftus-Cheek, Modric, Rabiot, Bartesaghi; Pulisic, Nkunku

Key Stats

• Napoli and AC Milan have won seven matches each across their last 20 meetings in all competitions, with the remaining six ending in draws.
• AC Milan have lost just two of their last eight encounters with Napoli, with both defeats coming in Serie A last season; the Rossoneri have otherwise enjoyed success in key clashes, including the 2023 Champions League quarter-finals.
• Napoli have already lost seven away matches this season in all competitions, with six of their eight Serie A defeats under Antonio Conte coming outside Naples.
• Christian Pulisic has recorded 41 goals and 22 assists since joining Milan, and he has already scored against Napoli earlier this season.
• This is the first-ever Supercoppa Italiana meeting between Napoli and AC Milan, guaranteeing a new chapter in the history of the competition.

Player to Watch

Scott McTominay

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The reigning Serie A MVP could be a decisive figure for Napoli in this Supercoppa semi-final, particularly given the absences in central midfield. Tasked with balancing defensive responsibility and forward momentum, the Scotland international offers Antonio Conte a reliable source of physicality, discipline, and late attacking runs from deep.

McTominay’s strength in duels and ability to cover ground will be vital against a Milan midfield packed with experience and technical quality. He also poses a threat in the opposition box, especially during set pieces and second-phase situations, areas that often prove crucial in tight knockout matches.

In a contest likely to be decided by fine margins rather than sustained dominance, McTominay’s control of transitions and willingness to step up in key moments could play a major role in shaping the outcome.

Prediction

SSC Napoli 1-2 AC Milan

With both sides searching for rhythm, this Supercoppa semi-final is likely to be tight and tactical. Napoli’s midfield intensity should keep them competitive, but Milan’s greater efficiency in knockout matches and the cutting edge provided by Christian Pulisic could prove decisive on neutral ground, edging the Rossoneri into the final.