Final score

4 February 2015 20:45

Napoli
49' (2nd half) Higuain
1 - 0
Inter
Referee: Davide Massa / Linesmen: Giallatini, Passeri / Fourth official: Banti
Watch highlights
Minute Text commentary
46' The first half comes to a close with the sides still level at 0-0
45' One minute of added time
44' Britos heads into the centre for Koulibaly, who coordinates himself well but can only lift his volley over the bar
42' Callejon pings in a delivery towards Hamsik, whose weak header is no trouble for Carrizo
41' A long ball is hoofed upfield for Shaqiri, Andujar comes to the edge of his box to clear
39' Juan Jesus is cautioned for a foul on Koulibaly
37' Shaqiri's ball in from the right comes off Koulibaly and flies into Ranocchia, who doesn't have time to direct it goalwards
36' Shaqiri's 30-yarder is deflected behind by Britos for a corner
34' Hamsik unleashes a powerful drive from distance, Carrizo can only parry into the path of Higuain but recovers in time to make a second save
31' Juan Jesus does well to send Callejon's cross out for a throw-in
29' Higuain gets the better of Ranocchia but Carrizo denies him by racing off his line and diving at the striker's feet
27' De Guzman swings in a free kick, Inter half clear and Hamsik latches onto the loose ball, smashing it wide
23' Shaqiri fouls Strinic. The ref awards Napoli a free kick and books the Nerazzurri No. 91
17' Shaqiri lets fly with his left boot, Andujar gathers at the second attempt
13' The Nerazzurri almost take the lead! Icardi's effort from the edge of the box beats Andujar but comes back off the upright!
11' Shaqiri lays off for Hernanes and the Brazilian has a dig from 20 yards out, Strinic gets in the way
9' Brozovic pulls the trigger from range opting for power over precision: it flies a few yards wide
8' Hamsik stands it up for Higuain, who rises between Ranocchia and Juan Jesus but fails to get his header on target
6' Higuain drives forward on the break and shoots, Carrizo saves
1' The hosts get this Coppa Italia quarter-final between Napoli and Inter started
Minute Text commentary
49' Game over. Higuain's late late strike has sent the hosts into the semi-finals
49' Higuain sneaks in behind the Nerazzurri rearguard and beats Carrizo to give Napoli the lead
46' Ranocchia prevents Higuain from escaping and receives a caution
45' Four more minutes to play
41' Mancini makes another change, bringing on Dodo for Santon
39' Final switch for the hosts. De Guzman leaves the field, Ghoulam comes on
34' David Lopez takes aim from the edge of the box but it's a wild one. No danger there
31' Benitez decides to replace Hamsik with Gabbiadini
29' Mancini makes a change too. Guarin comes on for Hernanes
27' Substitution for Napoli. Mertens is on for Callejon
19' Puscas brings down Albiol and is booked for his efforts
17' Close! Icardi backheels into the path of Puscas charging into the box. Andujar claws his shot behind
17' Hernanes looks to slip in Icardi, Andujar beats the Argentine to it
15' Hernanes shoots wide from 20 yards
12' Sparks are starting to fly in the middle of the pitch. Medel and Gargano collect a booking each
6' Puscas tries to get away from Koulibaly but his path is blocked at the edge of the box
1' The second period gets under way. No changes made during the interval
Santon
6.28
6.28
Ranocchia
2.65
2.65
Nagatomo
4.4
4.4
Jesus
5.15
5.15
Guarin
4.48
4.48
Carrizo
6.25
6.25
Icardi
5.36
5.36
Puscas
6.09
6.09
Hernanes
5.35
5.35
Dodò
4.23
4.23
Medel
5.38
5.38
Shaqiri
5.59
5.59
Brozovic
6.34
6.34
Average rating 5.2
7 shots on target 2
7 shots off target 10
7 fouls committed 16
4 corners 6
4 offsides 0
44% ball possession 56%
Benitez v Mancini

Previous match-ups between Rafa Benitez and Roberto Mancini see the two coaches locked together in perfect parity: two wins apiece and two 0-0 draws.

Juan Jesus and Palacio to ton up together?

This evening's cup encounter could see Juan Jesus and Rodrigo Palacio both reach the 100-game milestone with Inter. The defender made his Nerazzurri debut on 13 May 2012 in a Serie A fixture between Lazio and Inter (3-1). He has turned out in black and blue 76 times in the top flight, seven in the Coppa Italia and 16 in European competition. The striker first appeared for the club on 2 August 2012 in Hadjuk Split 0-3 Inter (Europa League) and has since played 82 league games, five Coppa Italia games and 12 in Europe.

Goals in last 12 cup ties for Napoli

Napoli are on a 12-game scoring run (with 24 goals) in the Coppa Italia since they last failed to hit the target on 26 January 2011... against the Nerazzurri. It finished Napoli 0-0 Inter after extra time, with the side coached by Leonardo winning 4-5 on penalties on their way to lifting the cup in May that year.

wins(2) draws(4) defeats(2)

NAPLES – Inter side saw their hopes of a Coppa Italia semi-final berth dashed in second-half stoppage time when Higuain came up with the only goal of the game. It had been an evenly balanced affair, the Nerazzurri more than holding their own in Napoli's den and Icardi denied by the upright in the opening period, but ultimately it was the hosts who nicked the crucial goal at the death.

Davide Santon was thrown straight in at the deep end just 48 hours after completing his return to the club. He was joined in the starting line-up by Romanian youngster George Puscas, Marcelo Brozovic and Xherdan Shaqiri.

The hosts carved out the first few openings, Higuain getting away from Juan Jesus on the right wing and shooting weakly at Carrizo, then Hamsik crossing into the path of Higuain again, who headed over.

Brozovic lined up an effort of his own shortly after but it swerved away from Andujar's goal.

Inter were playing well and very nearly took the lead on 13 minutes: Mauro Icardi skipped past Koulibaly and unleashed a low drive that agonisingly came back off the foot of the post.

Shaqiri cut inside form the right in the 17th minute and hit a curling effort towards goal that Andujar had covered.

Inter were enjoying more possession (53.2% and 251 passes in the first half) but Napoli always looked a threat.

Hamsik found himself in a good position but blasted over following a free kick (27), then a full-stretch lunge by Medel proved decisive as Higuain was set to pounce on a loose ball (34), and Koulibaly lifted his volley over the bar following Britos' header (43).

Icardi was the provider of two chances around the hour mark, the first for Hernanes (whose curled finish went wide) and then with a neat backheel into the path of Puscas, who was denied by a combination of Albiol and Andujar.

Inter were piling on the pressure as they sought an opener and built a lovely move involving Puscas, Nagatomo and Icardi; the ball ended at Hernanes' feet, whose shot was deflected behind by Strinic.

Napoli hit back with attempts by David Lopez (wide) and De Guzman (straight at Carrizo).

Extra time looked to be on the cards after Guarin fizzed a vicious drive over the bar in the 93rd minute, but there was to be a cruel late blow for Inter. Ghoulam launched a throw-in into the path of Higuain, who sped away and finished clinically past Carrizo.

With no time to mount a comeback, Inter's Coppa Italia campaign came grinding to a halt.

Napoli 1-0 Inter (0-0)
Scorer: Higuain 90+4.

Napoli: 45 Andujar; 26 Koulibaly, 33 Albiol, 5 Britos, 3 Strinic; 77 Gargano, 19 Lopez; 7 Callejon (Mertens 72), 17 Hamsik (Gabbiadini 76), 6 De Guzman (Ghoulam 84); 9 Higuain.
Subs not used: 1 Rafael, 15 Colombo, 8 Jorginho, 11 Maggio, 44 Uvini, 88 Inler, 91 Zapata.
Coach: Rafael Benitez.

Inter: 30 Carrizo; 55 Nagatomo, 23 Ranocchia, 5 Juan Jesus, 21 Santon (Dodo 86); 18 Medel, 77 Brozovic, 88 Hernanes (Guarin 74); 91 Shaqiri; 9 Icardi, 28 Puscas.
Subs not used: 1 Handanovic, 46 Berni, 8 Palacio, 10 Kovacic, 11 Podolski, 15 Vidic, 17 Kuzmanovic, 20 Obi, 54 Donkor, 97 Bonazzoli.
Coach: Roberto Mancini.

Booked: Shaqiri 23, Juan Jesus 39, Medel 57, Gargano 57, Puscas 64, Ranocchia 90+1.
Added time: 1+4 minutes.
Referee: Massa.
Assistants: Giallatini, Passeri.
4th official: Banti.

 

starting lineups

Andujar 45 30 Carrizo
Koulibaly 26 55 Nagatomo
Albiol 33 23 Ranocchia
Britos 5 5 Jesus
Strinic 3 21 Santon
Gargano 77 18 Medel
Lopez 19 77 Brozovic
Callejon 7 88 Hernanes
Hamsik 17 91 Shaqiri
De Guzman 6 9 Icardi
Higuain 9 28 Puscas

substitutes

Rafael 1 1 Handanovic
Colombo 15 46 Berni
Jorginho 8 8 Palacio
Maggio 11 10 Kovacic
Mertens 14 11 Podolski
Gabbiadini 23 13 Guarin
Ghoulam 31 15 Vidic
Uvini 44 17 Kuzmanovic
Inler 88 20 Obi
Zapata 91 22 Dodò
54 Donkor
97 Bonazzoli