Napoli return to title defence in high spirits after Super Cup triumph

Dec 25 : Following ‌their triumph in the Italian Super Cup, Napoli will return to the task of defending their Serie A title full of confidence when they travel to take on Cremonese this weekend.

Napoli beat AC Milan 2-0 in the semi-final and Bologna by the same scoreline in Monday's final to clinch the Super Cup for the first time since 2014 as Antonio Conte continues to find success in Naples. 

Conte won the league title in his first season, and club president Aurelio De Laurentiis sees no reason why the good times should come to an end.

"Did you have any ‌doubts about Conte? Conte is a maestro, so he didn't need long to settle ‌in as a winner," De Laurentiis told Mediaset after the Super Cup win.

"It is not since the Maradona era that we didn't win two trophies in a single calendar year. I tell the fans, dream away."

The trophy win was a welcome boost after Napoli's loss to Udinese in their most recent league outing which dropped them to third in the standings, one point off second-placed Milan and two behind leaders Inter Milan.

An away game at Cremonese on Sunday awaits Conte's side, with the promoted club 11th in ‍the standings after two games without a win, and Napoli will hope David Neres continues his fine run of form.

The Brazilian winger netted three of Napoli's four Super Cup goals, along with three in their last four league games.

There was also a welcome sight for Conte and the club's fans on the bench in Riyadh. Romelu Lukaku was named among the substitutes for both games, and while the ​Belgian striker did not make it onto the ‌pitch, he may be close to a welcome return having not played this campaign following a pre-season thigh injury. 

Napoli have also had to do without their other Belgian, Kevin De Bruyne, for