SSC Napoli booked their place in the Supercoppa Italiana final with a composed 2-0 victory over AC Milan at the King Saud University Stadium in Saudi Arabia, keeping alive their hopes of lifting the trophy for the first time since 2014.

Both sides showed early intent in an open opening five minutes. Eljif Elmas tested Mike Maignan with a routine effort before Vanja Milinković-Savić spread himself well to deny Ruben Loftus-Cheek, following Strahinja Pavlović’s acrobatic attempt in the Napoli box.

Napoli gradually began to assert control of possession, though Milan carved out a clear chance when Amir Rrahmani’s looping header dropped kindly for Alexis Saelemaekers, only for the Belgian to blaze over. At the other end, Elmas fired wide after Maignan spilled a corner, while Scott McTominay dragged a long-range effort narrowly off target in an increasingly competitive first half. Adrien Rabiot and Christopher Nkunku both sent shots over for the Rossoneri as the interval approached.

The breakthrough arrived in the 39th minute. Rasmus Højlund’s low cross caused problems in the Milan area, and although Maignan got a hand to the ball, he could only divert it into the path of David Neres, who tapped home from close range.

Maignan prevented Napoli from doubling their lead before the break, reacting sharply to tip Højlund’s effort wide. The Milan goalkeeper was again called into action shortly after the restart, palming away Rrahmani’s first-time strike, before Juan Jesus beat Pavlović to the loose ball to clear the danger.

Napoli eventually made their dominance count again in the 64th minute. Højlund continued to trouble Koni De Winter throughout the match, and the striker shrugged off his marker before smashing a tight-angle effort in off the far post to put the semi-final beyond Milan.

Milan searched for a route back into the contest, with Fikayo Tomori heading wide and substitute Youssouf Fofana directing a header straight at Milinković-Savić. Tempers flared late on as McTominay and Tomori were both booked following a clash, but Napoli remained in control until the final whistle.

The win ends Napoli’s run of back-to-back defeats and sets up a Supercoppa Italiana final on Monday against either Bologna or Inter Milan. For AC Milan, the loss follows their recent Coppa Italia exit, despite remaining unbeaten in their last 14 Serie A matches.