Saudi Arabia Hosts the Italian Super Cup for Fourth Time
It will mark the fourth time the tournament is hosted in the Kingdom.
Serie A president Ezio Simonelli said the semi-finals will take place on December 18 and 19, with the final scheduled on the 22nd.
The city where the matches will be hosted has not yet been determined, as the decision rests with the host country.
The four teams taking part are Napoli who won the scudetto, Bologna who lifted the Coppa Italia, and runners-up Inter Milan and AC Milan. The tournament was expanded in 2023 to include four clubs.
AC Milan won the most recent edition, beating Inter 3-2 to lift their first Super Cup since 2022.
In another statement, the President of the Italian League, explained that the league contacted the Italian Football Federation, the European Union (UEFA), and the International Federation (FIFA) to submit an official request, to move next February's match between Milan and Como to Australia, as a result from the closure of the San Siro stadium during the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, as it will be used for the opening ceremony, scheduled for February 6-22.
Simonelli said the aim is to draw attention to the league's interest in turning this edition into an opportunity to strengthen the International presence of the Italian League.
Despite these ambitions, the decision to host the competition has not gone down well with many Italian fans.
'A country's Super Cup should never be played abroad,' one vented online.
'They sold their soul to the highest bidder,' said another. 'Football used to be about fans who turn up in stadiums'
And a third was more blunt: 'Nice image of Italian football. All for two Arab pennies. And the fans have to watch it from home. But then the Super League is evil…'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Morocco World
2 hours ago
- Morocco World
Oussama El Azzouzi Set to Join Auxerre on Loan from Bologna
Moroccan international Oussama El Azzouzi is expected to join AJ Auxerre on loan from Bologna, with the move likely to be confirmed in the coming days. The 24-year-old midfielder will arrive on a season-long loan without an option to buy, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano. El Azzouzi endured a difficult 2024–25 campaign, featuring for just 25 minutes in Serie A due to a serious knee injury. He joined Bologna from Union Saint-Gilloise in 2023 but made only three league appearances during his time in Italy. Capable of playing as a defensive midfielder or centre-back, El Azzouzi was part of Morocco's Olympic squad last summer and has recently broken into the senior national team. His move to Ligue 1 is seen as an opportunity to regain match fitness and secure a place in Walid Regragui's squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be hosted in Morocco from 21 December. Auxerre, who are looking to consolidate their place in Ligue 1, have been active in the transfer market and view El Azzouzi as a low-risk, high-reward addition to their midfield and defensive options. While the loan comes without a long-term commitment, it offers the player a chance to relaunch his career ahead of a busy international calendar that also includes qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.
Morocco World
3 hours ago
- Morocco World
Torino Step up Chase for Zakaria Aboukhlal
Torino are stepping up efforts to sign Moroccan winger Zakaria Aboukhlal from Toulouse. According to Sky Sport Italia and Gianluca Di Marzio, the Serie A side have tabled an $8m bid, plus bonuses, for the 24-year-old winger with talks now underway between the two clubs. Aboukhlal, who scored seven goals and delivered four assists in 26 Ligue 1 appearances last season, is on the list of players expected to leave Toulouse this summer. Club president Damien Comolli confirmed the club are open to offers. 'We're leaving the door open for Zakaria Aboukhlal,' he said in a press conference. Wolves, Southampton and Rennes are also reportedly monitoring the player, though no formal bids have been submitted by the Premier League sides. Born in the Netherlands, Aboukhlal holds an EU passport and is under contract at Toulouse until June 2026. He joined the French side in 2022 from AZ Alkmaar for $2m. Torino director Davide Vagnati attended Saturday's friendly between Toulouse and RB Leipzig in Villingen-Schwenningen, reportedly to advance negotiations. Aboukhlal was absent from the matchday squad. Meanwhile, Torino are also in talks with RB Leipzig for a possible return of North Macedonia midfielder Eljif Elmas, who spent the last six months on loan with the German club. Aboukhlal's versatility and pace down the right flank are seen as key to Torino manager Marco Baroni's plans for the upcoming season. Tags: TorinoToulouseZakaria Aboukhlal
Morocco World
4 days ago
- Morocco World
Brahim Díaz Frozen Out: Xabi Alonso Drops Bombshell
Real Madrid's head coach Xabi Alonso has informed Moroccan international Brahim Díaz that he is not in the club's starting plans for the 2025-26 season. According to Marca , Alonso told Díaz that he would begin the season as a substitute, while assuring him that all players would have an opportunity to prove themselves and potentially earn a more prominent role in the squad. Díaz, 25, has struggled to secure a consistent place under both Ancelotti and Alonso. During the Club World Cup, he played just 103 minutes and was left out of key fixtures against Juventus and Borussia Dortmund. Alonso also issued warnings to Rodrygo and Raúl Asencio, stating that competition for starting spots will be intense. Díaz's contract runs until 2027. The Atlas Lion has already collected six trophies with Real Madrid, including a UEFA Champions League title and a Serie A title during his loan at AC Milan. Tags: AC MilanBrahim DiazReal MadridXabi Alonso
