Armies of Iznaghi and Gasperini collide in Saudi desert for place in showdown
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Reading Time: 1min | Thu. 02.01.25. | 14:01
Inter Milan and Atalanta face off in the opening semi-final game of the Italian Super Cup on Thursday night (10 pm)
While other European teams enjoy a few days of the festive season break, Italians are ready to lock horns far away from their homeland, in Saudi Arabia, to decide the winner of their Super Cup.
However, unlike many other similar competitions, the Supercoppa Italiana gathers not two but four teams. They face off in a one-leg semi-final, and then the defeaters decide who wins the trophy in the showdown.
The first semi-final tie of this year's edition is scheduled for Thursday night (10 pm) at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh between the reigning Serie A champion Inter Milan and the current UEFA Europa League winners Atalanta.
Juventus will take on Milan (10 pm) on Friday to decide the other finalist.
Regarding the clash between two black-and-blues, Simone Inzaghi and Gian Piero Gasperini are not expected to make too many changes to their starting XIs. This means the Nerazzurri captain, Lautaro Martinez, will pair up with Marcus Thuram in the offence, while Nicolo Barella, Hakan Calhanoglu and Henrikh Mkhitaryan will feed them with balls.
According to Sky Sport Italia, Gasperini is considering giving Nicolo Zaniolo his first Atalanta start in a trident with Ademola Lookman and Charles De Ketelaere.
ITALY SUPER CUP - SEMIFINALS
Thursday
22.00: (2.25) Inter (3.50) Atalanta (3.35)
Friday
22.00: (2.40) Juventus (3.40) Milan (3.20)
***odds are subject to change***
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