Can Returning Romelu Lukaku Deny Bologna a Historic First Supercoppa Triumph?

Bologna are one step away from winning the Supercoppa Italiana for the first time in the club’s 116-year history. Standing in their way, however, is a familiar obstacle — a returning Romelu Lukaku, who could yet derail the Rossoblù’s historic hopes.

This final also carries wider significance, with Vincenzo Italiano’s side aiming to become just the 10th different club to lift the Supercoppa trophy.

Can Vincenzo Italiano and Co turn the dream into reality?

Bologna required a penalty shootout to dispatch eight-time winners Inter Milan in Friday’s semi-final, following a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes at the King Saud University Stadium.

What makes their potential success even more impressive is that Bologna are competing in the Supercoppa Italiana for the first time in their history, having qualified by winning last season’s Coppa Italia.

Statistically, the signs are encouraging. Bologna are unbeaten in their last nine away matches across all competitions (W6, D3) and have already beaten Napoli once this season in Serie A.

Goals from Thijs Dallinga and Jhon Lucumí secured a 2-0 win over the Partenopei in November, a result that will only strengthen belief ahead of this final.

Historically, Napoli hold the advantage

Defending Serie A champions Napoli are the final hurdle standing between Bologna and a long-awaited piece of silverware.

Napoli’s most recent trophy also came in this competition, when they lifted the Supercoppa during the 2019/20 season. In the semi-finals this week, Antonio Conte’s side overcame AC Milan 2-0, with goals from David Neres and Rasmus Højlund.

The Neapolitan club have won the Supercoppa twice before, in 1990 and 2014, and have also finished runners-up on three occasions — in 2012, 2020 and 2023.

Will a returning Romelu Lukaku be Napoli’s trump card?

Lukaku was an unused substitute in the semi-final victory over Milan, marking his return to the squad after a 22-match absence across all competitions following a thigh injury.

The Belgian striker will be keen to make an immediate impact after contributing 24 attacking returns (14 goals, 10 assists) in 36 matches during Napoli’s 2024/25 Scudetto-winning campaign.

It remains to be seen whether Conte will start Lukaku from the outset, particularly with Neres and Højlund both on the scoresheet in midweek.

If the powerful forward is restored to the starting XI, Bologna will need to be defensively disciplined to keep him quiet.

While Lukaku’s return could prove decisive, Conte himself is no stranger to this competition, having lifted the Supercoppa three times during his playing career.

Could injuries undermine Napoli’s plans?

One potential concern for Napoli is their current injury situation, with Conte still unable to call upon several key players.

Midfield talisman Kevin De Bruyne is unavailable, as are defensive and midfield options Frank Anguissa and Billy Gilmour.

Those absences could yet tilt the balance in Bologna’s favour in what promises to be a finely poised final.

Predicted starting XIs

Bologna: Ravaglia; Holm, Lykogiannis, Lucumí, Miranda; Moro, Ferguson; Orsolini, Odgaard, Cambiaghi; Immobile

Napoli: Milinković-Savić; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Jesus; Politano, McTominay, Lobotka, Spinazzola; Neres, Højlund, Lukaku