The Italian Super Cup continues in Saudi Arabia on Friday, with Bologna taking on Inter Milan in the second semi-final.
Here’s everything you need to know before this interesting encounter.
When and where will the game be played?
The second semi-final match will be played on Friday, December 19.
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The match starts at 22:00 local time (20:00 CET) and will be held at the King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh, which is also the home of the mini football match.
It has a capacity of just over 26,000, which will be increased in order to host the 2034 World Cup, and is the current home of Al-Nassr.
How do teams advance?
In 2023, the Italian Super Cup will change from the traditional format of the league champion against the Italian Cup winner to a four-team format.
Bologna won May’s Coppa Italia thanks to Dan N’Doye’s loan goal against Milan, while Inter returned to Saudi Arabia as runners-up in Serie A.
One watchable player per team
Federico Bernardeschi (Bologna)
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Opportunities haven’t always come easily for the 31-year-old since his return from Toronto this season as he aims to prove he still has the old magic that made him a fan favorite at Fiorentina and Juventus.
The majority of his 21 starts (four of them) came in the Europa League, where he did the most damage with three goals, while another impressive cup performance could convince the Fersine coaching staff that he deserves more regular starts.
Piotr Zielinski (Inter Milan)
With Hakan Calhanoglu unavailable, the Pole is widely expected to step up against Bologna and fill the void in midfield.
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He has so far stalled since joining San Siro on a free transfer, but his incredible Serie A goal of the month against Hellas Verona in November proved his ability.
Who is the coach?
Vincenzo Italia (Bologna)
The 48-year-old enjoyed three impressive years of football at Fiorentina before moving to Bologna in 2024 following Thiago Motta’s exit, winning a rare trophy in his first season.
This season has been a more difficult one, if only in personal terms, with the Italian suffering a worrying bout of pneumonia in October, although his team are still flying high and currently sit sixth in Serie A.
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Christian Chivu (Inter Milan)
Just four months after taking his first senior coaching job at Parma, the Romanian finds himself replacing Simone Inzaghi in one of the most stressful jobs in world football.
After some early slowdowns, his side now look to be at the top of the Serie A table while also occupying top spot in the Champions League table.
Expected lineup
Bologna (4-2-3-1): Lavaglia; Holm, Hegem, Lukumi, Miranda; Moreau, Pobega; Bernardeschi, Odegaard, Lo; Castro.
Inter Milan (3-5-2): Sommer; Bisek, Akanji, Bastoni; Luis Enrique, Barrera, Zielinski, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Martinez.
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