“Conte can compete for the title, Ranieri is a sure bet, and Conceição lives the game with his players. The Super Cup in Riyadh didn’t impress me.”
Gaetano D’Agostino
Over 10 years as a key player in Serie A, with Roma, Messina, Udinese, Siena, and Pescara. In 2009, he was close to joining Real Madrid. He won the Italian championship with Roma in 2001 and represented Italy at the Under-15, 16, 18, and 21 levels, winning the European Championship with the Under-21 team in 2004. In 2009, he also played for the senior national team. He runs an academy, Dago Soccer Technique, where he teaches individual technique and tactics. He works as a sports pundit on radio and TV and, starting in January 2025, he is the talent for SMIT with his segment Club Dago.
Conte’s Napoli Dominates Fiorentina with a Convincing 3-0 Victory
I watched the match, and Napoli played like a top-tier team, showing great confidence in a tough environment like Florence. It’s a solid team—if I’m not mistaken, Napoli currently has the best defense in Europe, making them hard to break down. In my opinion, Napoli can compete for the league title until the very end, especially since Serie A is their only competition this season. This gives them the advantage of being able to prepare thoroughly week after week.
From a transfer market perspective, they don’t need significant reinforcements because they only have one competition to focus on and don’t face the challenge of energy distribution. Conte is rotating his squad evenly, at least among the players he considers key for the league. I believe Napoli is definitely one of the contenders for the title.
Ranieri Transforms Roma and Wins an Underdog Derby
First of all, Ranieri has made history yet again. Winning five derbies out of five is a testament to his deep understanding of this particular match and event because a derby is always more than just a game. I saw a Roma side, especially in the first 55–60 minutes, that was compact, well-prepared, and fully committed to their game plan. The results spoke for themselves.
Ranieri surprised everyone by starting Pellegrini, and as he often does, he made the right call. Pellegrini scored the decisive 1-0 goal with a fantastic strike. If this derby marks Pellegrini’s resurgence, credit must go to Ranieri. Pre-match comments made it seem like Pellegrini would start on the bench, which left fans and analysts alike caught off guard. But, as always, Ranieri had it right in the end.
I hope for Roma that this derby isn’t just a fleeting moment of satisfaction after beating an in-form Lazio but serves as a springboard for the second half of the season. Their first half of the campaign was forgettable, and they need momentum going forward.
The Super Cup in Riyadh Showcased Italian Football but Lacked Atmosphere
Let’s start by acknowledging that Juventus, Milan, and Inter remain the most recognizable Italian football brands internationally. It’s natural for Arab fans to support them and buy their merchandise as football culture grows in the region. Bringing Italy’s top clubs to Saudi Arabia for the Super Cup was a positive move to showcase Serie A’s best.
However, despite the entertaining action on the pitch, particularly the final, the lack of a passionate crowd and atmosphere was incredibly disappointing. While the stadiums in Saudi Arabia are impressive and beautifully organized, the absence of vibrant fan engagement reflected the cultural differences.
I understand the financial incentives, sponsorships, and the prestige of exporting the Serie A brand, but I strongly disagree with holding such events in countries where football culture doesn’t ignite the kind of passion and fervor you’d expect for a game of this magnitude. It felt hollow, and that was a letdown.
Conceição Leads Milan to Super Cup Glory
Conceição’s Milan triumphed in the Super Cup, with the coach making an immediate impact, much like Conte and Ranieri at Napoli and Roma, respectively.
There’s a clear distinction between a coach and a manager. Fonseca was a coach, while Milan has historically needed a manager. Even Pioli, during his tenure, essentially played the role of a manager by overseeing the squad and other aspects of the team.
From the start, Conceição demonstrated his authority, particularly in handling players like Hernández and Leão. Under the previous coach, their behavior wasn’t always professional, but Conceição’s disciplined approach and clear tactical vision have already made a difference.
In the two Super Cup games, despite limited preparation time, Milan displayed the spirit, sacrifice, and team cohesion that were missing under Fonseca. Conceição’s animated presence on the touchline—reminiscent of Simeone—showed how deeply he connects with his players. His celebrations, post-match cigar moment, and overall engagement were a breath of fresh air. An involved coach can lift a team, and Conceição has that quality, which Fonseca lacked.
Conte, of course, is a known entity. His focus on league campaigns, where he thrives, gives him an edge when pursuing a single goal. However, I hope to see Conte grow and enhance his success in European competitions because that’s the one achievement missing from his impressive résumé.
As for Ranieri, he’s like a guaranteed check—whether it’s saving a smaller club like Cagliari or revitalizing a big one like Roma, he always delivers. His elegance, football knowledge, and calm leadership ensure he can stabilize any team in crisis.
How Much Impact Does a Coach Have on a Football Team Today?
In the past, a coach’s influence was about 30%, as teams were stacked with talent, making management and tactical preparation the primary focus. Today, I believe a coach accounts for at least 60% of a team’s success.
