In a much anticipated move today, the Serie A League will reportedly ratify the dates of the Italian Supercoppa, according to Italian sports newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport. This will be the first edition of the Supercoppa featuring a four-team format. The tournament is set to kick-off in Saudi Arabia on January 18, featuring a semi-final match between Napoli and Fiorentina.
The second semi-final will be played between Inter Milan and Atalanta the following day. The final of the Supercoppa is pencilled in for 22nd January. In the midst of the tournament, there will be also the fixtures for the 21st round of the Serie A league, including Sassuolo-Napoli, Bologna-Fiorentina, and Inter-Atalanta, with these league matches expected to be recovered between February and March, contingent on the schedules of the European draws.
La Gazzetta dello Sport has delved into the potential impact the new Supercoppa format might have on the Serie A title race. Notably, it suggests that while Inter Milan could enjoy a ‘week in the warmth’, the team may pay a physical toll, particularly if they reach the final. It also points out a potential twist that Juventus could serve, taking advantage of the rescheduling of Inter’s match and with a head-to-head encounter lined up for February 4. The implication is that the reshuffling necessitated by the Supercoppa could inadvertently impact the outcome of the national league.