Italian Super Cup 2012

11 August 2012, Beijing, Juventus 4-2 Napoli (after extra-time).

The Bianconeri began the encounter with added motivation after they had been denied a domestic double three months earlier by a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Napoli in the Coppa Italia final.

The Partenopei drew first blood in the Chinese capital as Cavani slipped in behind Juve’s high defensive line on the half-hour mark and managed to retain his composure to drive the ball into the back of the net following Buffon’s half-save. However, the Bianconeri fashioned an impressive response soon after when Asamoah celebrated his first official match in the Bianconeri shirt by latching onto Vidal’s crossfield pass and unleashing a venomous first-time volley into the bottom corner.

Napoli restored their lead just before the interval when Pandev burst away down the left flank and shrugged off pressure from Bonucci to lift a delicate lob finish over the outstretched arm of Buffon. Vidal then displayed nerves of steel with 16 minutes remaining in regular time as he cooly slotted home a penalty kick to take the match to extra-time.

Napoli duo Zuniga and Pandev were both shown red cards minutes before the final whistle of regulation time and the Bianconeri took full advantage of their numerical supremacy. Maggio turned into his own net on 97 minutes and then Vucinic sealed a hard-earned victory four minutes later via a clinical finish from close range after Marchisio’s intelligent assist.

Juventus starting XI – Buffon; Lucio, Bonucci, Barzagli; Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio, Asamoah; Giovinco, Matri.