Inter Milan advanced to the final of the 2024-25 Supercoppa Italiana after defeating Atalanta 2-0 at Al-Awwal Park Stadium in Riyadh. The match, played on January 2, 2025, saw Denzel Dumfries shine with two spectacular goals, securing Inter's place for the title match scheduled for January 6.
The Supercoppa Italiana has pitted the elite of Serie A against each other, with Inter, Juventus, AC Milan, and Atalanta all vying for not only the prestigious title but also their share of the €23 million prize pot. Each team is guaranteed €1.6 million just for their appearance, with the stakes getting higher as the tournament progresses.
Taking the field first, Inter and Atalanta faced off where Dumfries executed what can only be described as acrobatics worthy of the highlight reels. Just after the half-time break, Dumfries opened the scoring with a stunning bicycle kick. His flair didn’t stop there, as he doubled the lead with another impressive strike 12 minutes later—one rifled off the crossbar and past Atalanta’s keeper Marco Carnesecchi.
Despite multiple attempts from Atalanta to find backers, including face-offs at several corners and goal attempts from players like Lookman and Zappacosta, the formidable Inter defense led by goalkeeper Yann Sommer held firm, ensuring they kept their goal intact for another clean sheet.
According to reports, the final match will see Inter face the winner of tomorrow's semi-final between Juventus and AC Milan, which promises to be another thrilling encounter. Inter coach Simone Inzaghi expressed confidence going forward, stating, “We’re playing really well.” Dumfries echoed this sentiment, saying, “But above all, I’m happy about the win.”
This tournament format has been significantly lucrative for the participating clubs, with semifinalists having pocketed not only their guarantees but the hope of added prize money. The team finishing as the runner-up will take home €5 million, whereas the victors will walk away with €8 million, making every kick on the pitch extremely valuable.
Marking the historical significance of this competition, Denzel Dumfries's two-goal performance saw him become the fifth Dutch player to score goals during the Supercoppa, joining legends such as Ruud Gullit, Marco Van Basten, and Frank Rijkaard. His success this match stands out considering he had only scored three goals all season up to this point.
This Supercoppa Italian season continues the format of the Final Four, similar to many other league cup competitions, ensuring intriguing matchups as teams strive for national glory. The clash between Juventus and AC Milan promises not only to determine who will face Inter, but will also serve as the debut of AC Milan’s new coach, Sergio Conceição, giving it added drama.
With so much at stake, every moment of this Supercoppa is gripping for fans, coaches, and players alike. Each game showcases tactical intelligence, as Inter's history with Atalanta reveals them to be tactical 'kryptonite' for the Bergamo side, with only two draws and six wins since coach Simone took over.
For football fans, the excitement is palpable as we await the final showdown. How will Inter fare against either the Rossoneri or the Bianconeri? Only time will reveal, but as players sharpen their skills and coaches prepare their strategies, anticipation builds for January 6.