Final score

26 January 2011 20:45

Napoli
Inter
Referee: Paolo Valeri / Linesmen: Bianchi, Iannello / Fourth official: Ceri
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Minute Text commentary
45' No injury time so the first half finishes Napoli 0-0 Inter. Cavani has had a goal ruled out and Inter have had two great chances to score through Chivu and Cambiasso, the Argentinian denied only by De Sanctis' miraculous save.
44' Lavezzi takes the freekick and Stankovic puts behind for a corner. Ranocchia does enough to keep out Cannavaro.
43' Foul by Ranocchia on Lavezzi.
41' Thiago Motta is booked for a tactical foul.
40' INTER HIT THE BAR. Thiago Motta feeds Maicon out wide, who puts in a delightful cross for Cambiasso. The Argentinian coordinates himself well to hit a high volley but De Sanctis manages to push it onto the bar.
38' Following that corner Napoli hit on the break, Cavani playing a ball for Lavezzi behind Inter's last man. The Argentinian's shot is saved by Castellazzi.
37' Cannavaro loses the ball in his own half. Eto'o picks it up but can only win a corner. He takes the corner and Chivu is unmarked but unable to connect properly with his header. Stankovic shoots again. Another corner.
36' Stankovic's shot from outside the box is deflected off Aronica and goes straight to De Sanctis.
34' Eto'o plays a long ball forward to Pandev, whose first-time ball for Stankovic is just too far ahead of the Serbian.
33' Lavezzi crosses for Cavani from deep, Ranocchia and Zanetti contain the Uruguayan, allowing Castellazzi to come out and collect.
27' Maicon plays the freekick into the box, Napoli clear.
26' Cannavaro goes into the book for catching Pandev with a trailing leg.
20' Maggio crosses from the left and Chivu puts the ball behind. Following the corner Hamsik's shot is deflected off Stankovic for another corner kick. Maicon clears.
18' Eto'o's wayward pass is picked up by Lavezzi but the referee blows for the offside position of Cavani.
16' The Napoli defence shut out Pandev in the area but the ball falls for Stankovic, whose shot goes wide of goal.
13' Napoli score but the goal is disallowed for offside. Maicon gives the ball away on the flank and Lavezzi takes advantage to feed Dossena as he runs into the box. His low ball into the centre is met by Cavani, but the Uruguayan is adjudged to be offside.
5' Cordoba fouls Lavezzi in the air. Freekick to Napoli.
2' Gargano tries to put Lavezzi through on goal but the Argentinian doesn't read the pass.
1' Welcome to the Stadio San Paolo for the Coppa Italia 2010/11 quarter-final between Napoli and Inter.
1' Inter get the game underway.
1' Before kick-off the Bari brass band plays the Italian national anthem to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Italian unification, to which this year's Coppa Italia is dedicated.
1' Leonardo has picked Ranocchia to play alongside Cordoba in defence and Coutinho is on the bench after completing his recovery from injury. Napoli put out the same team as the one that started the league fixture between these two sides on 6 January.
Minute Text commentary
48' 0-0 after 90 minutes. Extra time it is...
45' Maicon beats Zuniga to the ball and sets off towards De Sanctis' goal. Gargano is forced to put the ball out for a throw-in.
44' Another Napoli corner: Pazienza connects at the near post, the ball goes inches wide.
43' Zuniga crosses, Chivu beats Maggio to the ball but goes down in pain following a clash with team-mate Lucio. He's ok.
42' Napoli corner. Lavezzi plays short for Pazienza, who skies his effort.
39' INTER HANG ON. Lavezzi picks up the ball and bombs past Ranocchia on the left wing. Hamsik collects his cross and shoots from a central position but Castellazzi saves with his feet. The Slovak hits goalwards again from the rebound and Ranocchia heads clear off the line. Mightily close for Napoli.
38' Inter make another substitution: Cordoba goes off with a muscle complaint and is replaced by Lucio.
34' Cavani heads goalwards from Campagnaro's cross. Castellazzi catches with two hands.
32' Freekick to Napoli. The ball is hit deep, Cannavaro connects with his chest but can't direct it towards a team-mate and Castellazzi collects.
31' De Sanctis fluffs his clearance and gifts Inter a corner. The ball is cleared and as it is hit back in the linesman wrongly flags Ranocchia for offside.
27' Cordoba and Maggio collide as they race for the ball on the edge of the box. Napoli appeal for a foul but the ref waves play on.
25' Napoli make their first change, Zuniga coming on for Dossena.
21' Campagnaro makes a crucial interception, hooking the ball away before Eto'o can latch on to Pandev's ball.
18' Leonardo forced to make a change: Stankovic's muscle problem sees him replaced with Mariga.
10' Lavezzi takes a corner for Napoli: Cavani tries a backheel, Cambiasso clears.
9' Stankovic fouls Aronica. The ball goes straight to Castellazzi.
2' Gargano tries his luck from a distance. High over the bar.
1' The second half gets underway with no changes made.
Minute Text commentary
15' Still 0-0 at the end of the first half of extra time.
14' Gargano sets up Maggio, whose powerful effort flies over the bar.
12' Pandev lays it back for Eto'o. His effort is high.
10' Castellazzi makes another great save, denying Lavezzi from close range after the Argentinian had played a one-two with Maggio.
8' Napoli substitution: Yebda on for Pazienza.
7' Cavani is booked for deliberately placing a heavy hand on Chivu. The Uruguayan apologises and the two make up.
4' Lucio blocks Campagnaro's shot with his shoulder and the whole stadium cries for a penalty. Valeri makes the right decision.
2' Ranocchia and then Castellazzi make key blocks to keep out Napoli duo Cavani and Lavezzi.
1' We're off again: first half of extra time.
Minute Text commentary
30' The second half of extra time comes to an end. We're going to have penalties.
14' An Inter freekick is taken by Maicon. Ranocchia connects with his shoulder and the ball misses the target.
13' Zuniga tries an ambitious scissorkick, his effort coming off Zanetti and going behind for a corner.
11' Lavezzi strikes a half-volley over the bar.
9' Zanetti crosses, Eto'o heads down for Pandev and the Macedonian does well to coordinate himself and hit a shot on the turn that goes just wide.
7' Napoli freekick. Gargano touches it on for Cavani, the Uruguayan's shot hits the Inter wall.
6' Pandev and Cambiasso almost succeed in creating a good chance but Cannavaro gets in the way.
6' Lucio is shown a yellow card for handball.
2' Cavani flops to the ground after minimal contact with Thiago Motta in the box. No foul there.
1' The Nerazzurri kick off the final 15 minutes of this tie.
Minute Text commentary
10' CHIVU SCORES! INTER WIN 4-5 ON PENALTIES. In the semi-final they will play the winner of tomorrow's match between Juventus and Roma.
9' Yebda's makes it 4-4 with a cheeky spot-kick.
8' Motta makes it 3-4.
7' Zuniga's turn. Castellazzi blocks the shot but can't hold on. 3-3.
6' Pandev makes it 2-3.
5' Lavezzi misses, over the bar. Still 2-2.
4' Cambiasso makes it 2-2.
3' Hamsik scores. 2-1.
2' Eto'o converts his. 1-1.
1' Napoli first up. Cavani to take. 1-0
Zanetti
7.38
7.38
Cordoba
7.15
7.15
Stankovic
7.21
7.21
Cambiasso
7.3
7.3
Maicon
6.76
6.76
Chivu
7.1
7.1
Motta
6.8
6.8
Lucio
6.55
6.55
Eto'o
5.72
5.72
Pandev
4.74
4.74
Mariga
6.06
6.06
Castellazzi
8.05
8.05
Ranocchia
7.63
7.63
Average rating 6.8
6 shots on target 2
12 shots off target 7
8 fouls committed 13
13 corners 4
5 offsides 2
48% ball possession 52%
Leonardo unbeaten against Mazzarri; goals galore

This is the fourth time the two coaches have faced each other: Mazzarri has yet to win a game, with Leonardo edging the head-to-head with 1 win and 2 draws. The Brazilian coach's win came on 6 January in the game that marked his debut as Inter coach after he took over from Rafa Benitez during the Christmas break. In the three games Leonardo has faced Mazzarri, both coaches' teams have always scored: 6 for Leonardo's and 4 for Mazzarri's.

Only one win for Mazzarri... in the Coppa Italia

Mazzarri has faced Inter 14 times as a coach, with 1 win, 6 draws and 7 defeats. Mazzarri's only win came in the Coppa Italia: Sampdoria 3-0 Inter on 4 March 2009.

Leo vs Napoli...the same as Leo vs Mazzarri

Just like the head-to-heads between Leonardo and Mazzarri, tonight's game is the fourth time the Brazilian has faced Napoli as coach, with 1 win and 2 draws.

Napoli have never beaten Inter in the Italian Cup

The two sides have met seven times in the Coppa Italia, with Napoli yet to win a single match: 3 draws (all 1-1, two after extra time at the Stadio San Paolo; on the first occasion, in 1938/39 before penalty shoot-outs were introduced, a replay was necessary) and 4 Inter wins. The most significant victory was the final played on 8 June 1978 in Rome, which Inter won 2-1: Restelli gave Napoli the lead after 6 minutes before Altobelli equalised on 18 minutes and Bini grabbed an 87th-minute winner. The last cup match between the two sides was in the 1996/97 season, in the semi-final. The Neapolitans qualified for the final by winning on penalties after both legs (the first in Milan) ended 1-1, the second after extra time. Napoli failed to win the cup that season, however, as they were beaten in the final by Guidolin's Vicenza team: Napoli won the first leg at home 1-0 but lost the return leg in Vicenza 0-3 after extra time. Napoli haven't reached the Coppa Italia final since then.

Napoli strong at home in the cup

Napoli have won their last four home games played in the cup: against Salernitana (twice, 3-1 in 2008/09 and 3-0 in 2009/10), Cittadella (1-0 in 2009/10) and Bologna (2-1 in 2010/11). The last team to avoid defeat at the Stadio San Paolo was Lazio, who drew 1-1 there on 17 January 2008. Napoli's last cup defeat at home came on 8 December 2005, when Roma defeated them 0-3. In the 12 games since then Napoli have won 9 and drawn 3. That match against Roma was also the last time Napoli failed to score at home in the competition. In the 12 matches played since they have scored 26 goals.

Inter on a record winning run in the cup

Inter have won their last 7 games in the Coppa Italia. Those wins have come against Sampdoria (1-0 at home in 2008/09), Livorno (1-0 at home), Juventus (2-1 at home), Fiorentina (two 1-0 wins, home and away) and Roma (1-0 victory in last season's final played at the Stadio Olimpico but considered neutral turf by the Lega Calcio), the last five all coming in 2009/10, and Genoa (3-2 in 2010/11). The last time Inter failed to win a game in the competition was on 4 March 2009, when they lost 3-0 away to Sampdoria. The Nerazzurri have thus beaten their previous record winning run in the competition of 6 games, which they achieved twice: from July 1958 to June 1959 and from May 2006 to January 2007.

No goals for Inter in Naples since 1997

The last time Inter scored a goal in a competitive fixture played at the Stadio San Paolo was in a Serie A match on 18 October 1997, when they came away with a 0-2 win. The Nerazzurri's second goal on that occasion was in fact an own goal scored by Turrini after 69 minutes. Since then, the remaining 21 minutes of that match plus three league games lost 1-0 (in 2000/01, 2007/08 and 2008/09) and the 0-0 draw in 2009/10, Inter have failed to hit the net at the San Paolo in 381 minutes.

Inter always in the semi-final since 2003/04

Inter are hoping to reach the Coppa Italia semi-finals for the eighth consecutive season, having reached that stage every year since 2003/04.

DA IMPLEMENTARE
wins(2) draws(4) defeats(2)
NAPLES - In the San Paolo cauldron, the Coppa Italia 2010/11 quarter-final between Napoli and Inter ended 4-5 after a penalty shoot-out, in what was a pulsating encounter despite the lack of goals over the 120 minutes. The Nerazzurri converted all five of their spot-kicks with Chivu scoring the winner after Lavezzi had previously missed his.

It was an exciting match right from the start with Mazzarri's team making some lightning breaks. And it was at the end of one such counter-attack in the 13th minute that Cavani hit the back of the net as he turned in Dossena's cross, but the goal was rightly ruled out for offside. The first half ended 0-0 although Chivu wasted a great opportunity on 37 minutes when presented with a free header, and Cambiasso went even closer three minutes later, his powerful volley pushed miraculously onto the bar by De Sanctis.

The second half was more of a tactical affair, with fewer clear-cut chances until Napoli very nearly found a winner in the 84th minute. Lavezzi bombed down the left wing and crossed into the box for Hamsik, whose shot was blocked by Castellazzi's feet; Hamsik got on the rebound and headed past Castellazzi only to find Ranocchia on the line - a splendid interception by the Inter defender. The second half also finished goalless so the tie went to extra time.

Castellazzi kept Inter in the game in the first half of extra time, twice denying Napoli with crucial saves. The Neapolitans could smell blood and went looking for the kill, with Lavezzi and Cavani leading the hunt, but Inter managed to hold on and take the game to penalties.

The Nerazzurri converted all five of their spot-kicks to emerge as 4-5 victors from the shoot-out: Lavezzi's miss proved decisive and Chivu sealed Inter's passage into the semi-finals in April, when they will go head-to-head with the winners of Thursday's game between Juventus and Roma.

FIRST HALF - Leonardo opted for a central defensive paring of Cordoba and Ranocchia, with Maicon and Chivu completing the back four in front of Castellazzi. Zanetti, Cambiasso and Thiago Motta started in midfield with Stankovic in the hole behind Eto'o and Pandev. Ranocchia for Lucio was thus the only change from the eleven that started in Udine, while Mazzarri fielded the same team as the one he sent out at the Meazza on 6 January.

The two teams weighed each other up for a short while before Napoli created the first real chance after 13 minutes when they hit Inter with a lightning break: Lavezzi began the move and fed Dossena wide on the left, whose low cross was met in the centre and tucked away by Cavani. The Neapolitans' celebrations were short-lived, however, as the referee rightly ruled the goal out for offside. Three minutes later and Inter had a chance of their own, Stankovic hitting an angled right-footed drive wide of target. The Serbian and Cambiasso were constantly looking to make forward runs and link up with Pandev, who was spearheading the team, but Napoli were good at denying them space. On the half-hour mark Inter caught the home side out and Pandev was almost through on goal, De Sanctis forced to come racing out of his area to head the ball clear. Two minutes later Dossena put in a cross from the left for Cavani but the ball ran away from the Uruguayan and Castellazzi mopped up. In the 36th minute Stankovic found space to strike a shot that took a deflection on the way and ended up in De Sanctis' arms. A minute passed and from Eto'o's corner Chivu missed a great chance to put Inter in front when he failed to connect properly with an unmarked header. Immediately afterwards Napoli sprang another counter-attack: Cavani's useful ball found Lavezzi, whose shot was dealt with by Castellazzi. On 40 minutes Inter had their best opportunity of the game - and a spectacular one it was too. Unfortunately De Sanctis made a wonderful reflex save to push Cambiasso's flying volley onto the bar, following an inch-perfect cross from the right by Maicon, the Brazilian having been set away in space by Thiago Motta. There was no added time so after 45 minutes the whistle called an end to a lively, albeit goalless, first half.

SECOND HALF - The second half got underway with no changes and an early opportunity for Gargano, whose strike from outside the box sailed over the bar. In the 48th minute Eto'o beat Pazienza with a classy turn and tried a 30-yard shot; his effort went wide of goal. On the hour Cordoba was well placed to cut out Lavezzi, while three minutes later Leonardo was forced to take off the impressive Stankovic (muscle problem), with Mariga brought on to replace him. After 72 minutes Cordoba and Maggio collided as they ran for a ball on the edge of the box: Napoli's calls for retribution for the Colombian defender went unheard by the referee. In the 76th minute the ball was played back into the box following a cleared Nerazzurri corner; Ranocchia collected it in a decent position but was wrongly adjudged to be offside. A minute passed and down the other end Castellazzi was grateful to receive the ball as Cannavaro chested goalwards from just two yards out. Napoli soon had another opportunity through Cavani's header but the Inter keeper was again a match to it. With six minutes of normal time remaining Mazzarri's side went very close indeed to breaking the deadlock: Lavezzi's cross following his run down the left was picked up Hamsik, whose shot was beaten away by Castellazzi's feet. The rebound fell to the Slovakian once more - his header sailing beyond Castellazzi this time - but Ranocchia was well placed on the line to deny him. With a minute to go Inter breathed another sigh of relief as Pazienza's header from Lavezzi's corner went inches wide. After three minutes of stoppage time the 90 minutes ended 0-0 and extra time beckoned.

EXTRA TIME - Napoli began extra time by piling on the pressure. Castellazzi and then Ranocchia had to be alert to prevent the South-American duo of Cavani and Lavezzi after just two minutes. In the 94th minute Lucio deflected Campagnaro's shot behind for a corner with his shoulder and Napoli claimed a penalty - appeals rightly waved away by the referee. Castellazzi then pulled off another save from Lavezzi when the Argentinian was set up by Maggio on 101 minutes. After another 15 minutes of goalless action the game went into the final period. In the 107th minute Cavani flopped to the ground in the box after minimal contact with Thiago Motta, but there was no foul by the Nerazzurri midfielder. Pandev, set up by Eto'o, put an effort just wide after 113 minutes, and three minutes later Lavezzi's half-volley brought another gasp from the crowd but flew over the bar. There was still time for Castellazzi to make another stop from Cavani before the final whistle signalled the penalty shoot-out from which the Nerazzurri would emerge victorious.

PENALTIES - Cavani (scored 1-0), Eto'o (scored 1-1), Hamsik (scored 2-1), Cambiasso (scored 2-2), Lavezzi (missed 2-2), Pandev (scored 2-3), Zuniga (scored 3-3), Motta (scored 3-4), Yebda (scored 4-4), Chivu (scored 4-5).

Napoli 0-0 Inter aet (4-5 on penalties)

Napoli: 26 De Sanctis; 14 Campagnaro, 28 P. Cannavaro, 6 Aronica; 11 Maggio, 5 Pazienza (Yebda 98), 23 Gargano, 8 Dossena (Zuniga 70); 17 Hamsik, 22 Lavezzi; 7 Cavani
Unused subs: 33 Gianello, 13 Santacroce, 25 Cribari, 77 Sosa, 99 Lucarelli
Coach: Walter Mazzarri

Inter: 12 Castellazzi; 13 Maicon, 2 Cordoba (Lucio 83), 15 Ranocchia, 26 Chivu; 4 Zanetti, 19 Cambiasso, 8 Thiago Motta; 5 Stankovic (Mariga 63); 9 Eto'o, 27 Pandev
Unused subs: 21 Orlandoni, 20 Obi, 23 Materazzi, 29 Coutinho, 39 Santon
Coach: Leonardo

Referee: Paolo Valeri (Roma 2)

Booked: P. Cannavaro 26, Thiago Motta 46, Cavani 97, Lucio 121.
Added time: 0+3 minutes



starting lineups

De Sanctis 12 Castellazzi
Campagnaro 13 Maicon
Cannavaro 2 Cordoba
Aronica 15 Ranocchia
Maggio 26 Chivu
Pazienza 4 Zanetti
Gargano 19 Cambiasso
Dossena 8 Motta
Hamsik 5 Stankovic
Lavezzi 9 Eto'o
Cavani 27 Pandev

substitutes

Giannello 21 Orlandoni
Santacroce 6 Lucio
Zuniga 17 Mariga
Yebda 20 Obi
Cribari 23 Materazzi
Sosa 29 Coutinho
Lucarelli 39 Santon