Napoli defeated Fiorentina 3-0 in Riyadh on Thursday, setting aside their recent problems to advance to the Italian Super Cup final. At a sparsely crowded Al-Awwal Park, Giovanni Simeone opened the score in the 22nd minute. Two late goals, including Alessio Zerbin's first for the Italian champions, then secured Napoli's passage.
At the same venue on Monday night, Napoli will play the victor of the second semifinal match between Inter Milan and Lazio on Friday.
In a terrible season for Napoli, which is 20 points behind Serie A leaders Inter Milan and has won just five games since Walter Mazzarri took over for Rudi Garcia in November, Thursday's victory was a rare bright spot.
"I don't know if this is a turning point," said Simeone to Mediaset.
"What really matters is the attitude we showed today. We're a team with heart and soul."