Riyadh (Sports News): The EA SPORTS FC™ Italian Supercup returns to Saudi Arabia (Thursday, 18 December) as Serie A champions Napoli take on AC Milan in the first semi-final of the competition at Riyadh's Alawwal Park.
The opening fixture raises the curtain on the sixth Italian Supercup to be hosted in Saudi Arabia and sees two of Italy’s most storied clubs compete for a place in the final. Napoli currently sit third in Serie A as they aim to successfully defend last season's title, while AC Milan are second and return to Riyadh having won the previous Italian Supercup in the same stadium in January.
Both clubs arrived in the Kingdom earlier this week and Napoli were given a warm welcome by local supporters at their first training session earlier on Wednesday. Speaking later the same day, Napoli head coach Antonio Conte welcomed the support his side had received in Riyadh.
“It's a good sensation to find Napoli fans here in Riyadh," said Conte. "It is normal that the more matches the Club plays abroad, the more it becomes known and can attract more and more fans.
“We know that fans are drawn to teams through victories, and we try to be attractive from this point of view as well, but we are already happy to have found fans with Napoli shirts here in Riyadh who asked us for autographs and photographs.”
AC Milan captain Mike Maignan was the man who lifted the trophy at Alawwal Park in January, when thousands of Rossoneri supporters came together in support of their team.
The France goalkeeper expects a stern test against the current Italian champions on Thursday but is excited to once again play in front of a passionate fanbase in Saudi.
“We need to be focused on this game," said Maignan. "We need to think about how we play and what the coach wants from us. It will be a great game because the opponent is strong.
“Our fans are very passionate here, so we will give 100 percent. It was great last year, but we need to give 100 percent now to repeat ourselves.”
Following Napoli vs. Milan is the second semi-final, which takes place the next day (Friday, 19 December). That game pits 2024–25 Coppa Italia winners Bologna against last year's Serie A runners-up Inter Milan.
The winners of both semi-finals will advance to the Italian Supercup final on 22 December, also to be played at Alawwal Park.
