Napoli's coach, Antonio Conte, thinks the updated Italian Supercoppa is a bigger deal now as his team gets ready to face Bologna in the final game.

Talking to Sport Mediaset before the game, Conte mentioned that the champion should be decided fairly on the field and liked that the new format made things tougher. "The field decides who wins," he said.

Before, the Supercoppa was just between the league and Coppa Italia winners. Now, the new setup is cool, but harder because there's a semi-final before the final match. So, winning this trophy is a bigger deal now.

Conte thought about the challenge of getting ready for a final match, comparing his experience as a player and a coach. “You prep with videos and practice,” he said. As a player, it's all about using your skill for the team's plan. But as a coach, you have way more on your shoulders.

Conte Is Set on His Plan for Napoli Before the Game Against Bologna

Conte also talked about what he wants for Napoli, recalling what he said when he first started.

When I joined, I said that a place like Naples should have a team that can fight every year, be strong, make life hard for others, and compete for trophies, he said. That's what we're trying for. Last season, we got there fast and won the league, which I didn't see coming.

But this season is about keeping things steady. Now, we're still working hard in the league and cups to build a team that can last, Conte said.

Since penalties might happen, Conte said how they pick who takes them. See who's best in practice. Pick the right person, maybe the player. Sometimes, someone is great in practice but chokes when the pressure's on during the game.

Lastly, Conte gave his view on the final matches. "First, you have to get there, which is tough, he said.

I tell my players that fans remember what you've won in your career, no matter what team you played for. Play like it's your only shot. Talking from his own experience, he said, I've won a lot, but I've lost many finals too. Those losses made me tougher inside, which some don't get.

tough,"

Gian Piero Gasperini admits Roma struggles in big matches and they're obviously missing something compared to Juventus, but says they have some good stuff going on to build for the future.

It was another letdown for the Giallorossi in a big game this season, though at least Tommaso Baldanzi got a late goal back after all those 1-0 losses.

Francisco Conceicao's shot and a Lois Openda score after Mile Svilar's save on Weston McKennie were the goals against a changed defense.

Gasperini is staying hopeful after Roma's defeat.

We messed up too many passes when attacking. Otherwise, we had what we needed to make more chances, Gasperini told Sky Sport Italia.

We had more energy at the end, but we still lacked accuracy. We know that. I would also point to how well a lot of players did who don't normally start, and they were up against a strong Juventus team.

Roma should feel good tonight because there's a solid base here to make a great team. I think we can do well.”

Mario Hermoso and Artem Dovbyk were injured, and Evan Ndicka and Neil El Aynaoui were at the Africa Cup of Nations. Jan Ziolkowski got only his third start for the club, and Devyne Rensch filled in the back three to cover the gaps.

“We played Kenan Yildiz and Francisco Conceicao. "They know how to take players on and run into space," said Gasperini.

“Sadly, we let in a goal right at the end of the first half but didn't allow much until then. Once we were down, Juventus had more space to play in. But overall, it was a good showing, mostly from guys like Rensch and Ziolkowski who haven’t played a lot. With this base, we can do well.”

Roma didn't seem to have much bite on offense. Paulo Dybala in the False 9 role and Matias Soulé didn't do much, so why didn't Evan Ferguson in the attack?

“Ferguson still isn't winning me over, even in the second half today. It's not just his skills. He and some other new signings still haven’t really fit into the team, Gasperini stated.

“We have a very sound team. Sure, tonight Dybala and Soule didn't get the service they needed, but their skill is way above the others. I’d make the same choices if I had to do it again.

Leon Bailey came on as a sub but limped off again 20 minutes later with another muscle issue.

Roma's record in the big games is awful, and it's starting to hurt their spot in the standings.

“It’s true we've lost many of these head-to-head games, but we beat Como, Bologna, and Lazio—teams right behind us. If you lose three or four of these games, it means you're missing something compared to those teams, Gasperini admitted.

“Still, there's a strong club backing us, we have a good base, and we weren't outplayed in any of these games. We only started this plan a few months ago, so we need to continue focusing on the base to build a great future for Roma.”

This result means Roma are still in fourth, but only one point ahead of Juventus, and could fall further behind the top three when they get back from Supercoppa Italiana commitments to play their Serie A Week 16 games in January.