The EA SPORTS FC Supercup in numbers
The countdown is on for the EA SPORTS FC Supercup, taking place in Riyadh on 18, 19 and 22 December. The competition will feature Napoli, winners of the 2024/25 Serie A Enilive; Bologna, holders of the 2024/25 Coppa Italia Frecciarossa; Inter, runners-up in last season’s league; and AC Milan, finalists in the most recent Coppa Italia.
FINAL FOUR FORMAT
This will be the third time the winner is decided using the Final Four format. In the first four-team edition, Inter, Coppa Italia Frecciarossa winners the previous season, lifted the trophy by defeating reigning Serie A champions Napoli in the final, after knocking out Lazio in the semifinals. The Nerazzurri were also finalists last season but were beaten by AC Milan in the “Arab Derby”. On their way to the final, the Rossoneri eliminated Juventus in the semifinals, while Inter, then coached by Simone Inzaghi, beat Atalanta.
A FIRST FOR RUNNERS UP, AND FOR BOLOGNA
After two consecutive seasons in which the Coppa Italia holders lifted the Supercoppa, there has been a reversal of the competition’s historical trend given that league champions have won the trophy on 65% of occasions so far (24 out of 37). Last season marked the first time in the competition’s history that the Serie A runners-up claimed the Supercoppa. The trophy has gone to Coppa Italia winners on ten occasions, and only twice to Coppa Italia finalists, in 2016 and 2017, when AC Milan and Lazio defeated Juventus. Bologna will become the 13th club to take part in the competition. The most recent debutants were Atalanta last season and Lazio in 1998. Juventus have won the most Supercoppa titles, with nine, followed by Inter and reigning champions AC Milan both on eight.
DECIDED IN 90 MINUTES, OR BY PENALTIES?
Last season, as in the previous edition, all three Supercoppa matches were decided within 90 minutes. AC Milan produced two remarkable comebacks: first in the semifinal against Juventus, with goals from Pulisic and an own goal by Gatti after Yildiz had given Juventus the lead; then in the final against Inter, who had beaten Atalanta 2-0, overturning a two-goal deficit following strikes from Lautaro Martinez and Taremi. The Rossoneri completed the comeback through Theo Hernández, Pulisic and an Abraham goal in the 93rd minute.
After two consecutive seasons in which the Coppa Italia holders lifted the Supercoppa, there has been a reversal of the competition’s historical trend given that league champions have won the trophy on 65% of occasions so far (24 out of 37). Last season marked the first time in the competition’s history that the Serie A runners-up claimed the Supercoppa. The trophy has gone to Coppa Italia winners on ten occasions, and only twice to Coppa Italia finalists, in 2016 and 2017, when AC Milan and Lazio defeated Juventus. Bologna will become the 13th club to take part in the competition. The most recent debutants were Atalanta last season and Lazio in 1998. Juventus have won the most Supercoppa titles, with nine, followed by Inter and reigning champions AC Milan both on eight.
DECIDED IN 90 MINUTES, OR BY PENALTIES?
Last season, as in the previous edition, all three Supercoppa matches were decided within 90 minutes. AC Milan produced two remarkable comebacks: first in the semifinal against Juventus, with goals from Pulisic and an own goal by Gatti after Yildiz had given Juventus the lead; then in the final against Inter, who had beaten Atalanta 2-0, overturning a two-goal deficit following strikes from Lautaro Martinez and Taremi. The Rossoneri completed the comeback through Theo Hernández, Pulisic and an Abraham goal in the 93rd minute. (Photo LaPresse)