Coppa Italia, Inter 6 - 2 Benevento: The Nerazzurri progress to the quarter - finals

MILAN – Inter began the new year in the best possible way, with Spalletti’s side defeating Benevento 6-2 at the round of 16 stage of the Coppa Italia despite the surreal environment the match was played in. Lautaro and Candreva both scored a double apiece, with Icardi (penalty) and Dalbert also getting on the scoresheet. The Nerazzurri have thus progressed to the quarter-finals of the competition, where they’ll play Simone Inzaghi’s Lazio.

The game started in a lively fashion to say the least. After just two minutes, Antei brought down Candreva in the penalty area, with the referee subsequently pointing to the penalty spot. Icardi stepped up and made no mistake from the spot to give the Nerazzurri an early lead. Benevento reacted well as Tello saw his close-range strike saved by Padelli in Inter’s goal. In the 7th minute, Inter doubled their lead: Icardi hit the post from Brozovic’s corner, but Candreva was on hand to fire home with a low effort into the corner. Despite Inter being two goals to the good, the away side didn’t lose hope: after 22 minutes, Improta’s right-footed shot from the edge of the area went just over. Inter then came close in the 27th minute, but Perisic’s strike with his right foot was unintentionally blocked by Icardi inches from Benevento’s goal. In the 35th minute, Dalbert threw himself of Insigne’s effort to preserve the Nerazzurri’s lead, before Benevento’s no.19 then tested Padelli with a left-footed shot. Inter then scored their third goal just before half-time: Dalbert latched onto Perisic’s lovely ball and fired home powerfully with his left foot, the Brazilian’s first goal for the club. The teams therefore went into the break with Inter 3-0 ahead.

The Nerazzurri began the second half in the same way they ended the first one: Perisic’s cross was headed into the back of the net by Lautaro Martinez to make it 4-0. Benevento reduced the arrears in the 58th minute as Insigne scored directly from a free kick with his left foot. Nevertheless, Inter responded well, with Politano (who had come on at half-time for Mauro Icardi) narrowly missing the target with a vicious strike. Inter did manage to get a fifth not long after, however, with Lautaro getting his second of the evening following good play by Candreva and Perisic. The team from Campania didn’t lose their fighting spirit and hit back in the 74th minute as Bandinelli headed home Improta’s cross. In the final stages, Inter came close once again through both Borja Valero (who had replaced Perisic) and Lautaro before their final goal came. This was a superb individual goal from Candreva and the icing on the cake for the Nerazzurri.

Now it’s time to think about the league: Sassuolo will be the visitors to Milan on Saturday evening as the Nerazzurri return to league action.

#ForzaInter forever!

INTER 6-2 BENEVENTO Goalscorers: 3' (pen) Icardi (I), 7' Candreva (I), 45’+1 Dalbert (I), 48' Lautaro (I), 58' Insigne (B), 67' Lautaro (I), 74' Bandinelli (B), 94' Candreva (I)

INTER: 27 Padelli; 2 Vrsaljko, 37 Skriniar, 13 Ranocchia, 29 Dalbert; 87 Candreva, 5 Gagliardini, 77 Brozovic (83' 15 Joao Mario), 44 Perisic (68' 20 Borja Valero); 10 Lautaro, 9 Icardi (46' 16 Politano)Substitutes: 1 Handanovic, 46 Berni, 6 De Vrij, 8 Vecino, 11 Keita, 14 Nainggolan, 18 Asamoah, 23 Miranda, 33 D'AmbrosioCoach: Luciano Spalletti

BENEVENTO: 12 Montipò; 13 Tuia (83' 6 Billong), 5 Antei, 7 Di Chiara; 3 Letizia, 25 Bandinelli, 8 Tello,17 Bonaiuto (85' 31 Sanogo), 16 Improta; 19 Insigne, 9 Coda (75' 27 Ricci)Substitutes: 22 Gori, 2 Sparandeo, 4 Del Pinto, 11 Maggio, 15 Costa, 18 Gyamfi, 24 Cuccurullo, 32 Zagari, 33 ArmenterosCoach: Cristian Bucchi

Bookings: Vrsaljko (I), Gagliardini (I), Tuia (B)

Added time: 1' + 4'

Referee: GiuaAssistants: Caliari, LombardiFourth official: MaggioniVAR officials: Aureliano, Paganessi