MILAN - Inter v Bologna, the Coppa Italia quarter-final played in Arpad Weisz's memory, ended with the Nerazzurri triumphing 3-2. Andrea Ranocchia headed home the winning goal in the last minute of extra time after the two sides had cancelled each other out in the first 90 minutes (2-2). Andrea Stramaccioni's team thus book their place in the semi-finals, where they await the winners of tomorrow's quarter-final between Fiorentina and Roma.
But let's start at the beginning. Cassano was at the heart of Inter's most dangerous moves in the first half. Bologna responded with their own forays forward, but it was Fantantonio who set up Guarin for the opener in the 34th minute. The Colombian feinted to shoot before rifling an unstoppable shot into the top corner, taking his tally to eight for the season. Gilardino and Diamanti tried to conjure up an equaliser before half time but Handanovic was a match for them.
The Rossoblu had their chances after the break too – Gilardino in particular – but Inter were set out well and held onto their lead, going close to a second through Cassano and substitute Palacio. El Trenza did net Inter's second of the night on 77 minutes with a brilliant solo effort: surrounded by three men, he found himself a yard of space before curling into the top corner from 25 yards out, his 12th of the campaign. Three minutes later, Diamanti pulled one back with a fantastic strike of his own, bending a free kick over the wall and in off the underside of the bar. The visitors were still very much alive and almost equalised when Ranocchia beat Gilardino to the ball and sent it onto Handanovic's post. With 6 minutes of normal time remaining Bologna did get themselves level as Gabbiadini steered home at the far post. Two minutes passed and Ranocchia had the ball in the back of the net following a scramble in the box but it was disallowed for offside. A close and rather 'generous' call.
The match went to extra time and after a goalless first 15 minutes, Zanetti hit the post in the second period. Then, with a penalty shootout just seconds away, Ranocchia met Guarin's corner, the net bulged and San Siro erupted.
The Nerazzurri now have a two-legged semi-final to look forward to against Fiorentina or Roma. The first leg will be played next Wednesday and the return leg on 30 January.
Inter 3-2 Bologna aet (FT:
2-2, HT: 1-0)
Scorers: Guarin 34,
Palacio 77, Diamanti 80, Gabbiadini 84, Ranocchia 120.
Inter:
1 Handanovic; 6 Silvestre, 23 Ranocchia, 40 Juan Jesus; 42
Jonathan (Mudingayi 88), 4 Zanetti, 24 Benassi (Cambiasso 46), 31
Pereira; 14 Guarin; 18 Rocchi (Palacio 60), 99 Cassano.
Subs not
used: 27 Belec, 77 Di Gennaro, 17 Mariga, 21
Gargano, 26 Chivu, 33 Mbaye, 41 Duncan, 82 Bessa, 88 Livaja.
Coach:
Andrea Stramaccioni.
Bologna: 25
Agliardi; 3 Morleo, 5 Antonsson (Kone 70), 10 Gilardino, 11 Motta,
15 Perez, 17 Guarente (Pazienza 46), 23 Diamanti, 43 Sorensen, 77
Pasquato (Gabbiadini 55), 90 Portanova.
Subs not used: 1
Curci, 32 Stojanovic, 4 Krhin, 13 Pulzetti, 20 Abero, 21 Cherubin, 24
Paponi, 28 Riverola, 33 Kone, 45 De Carvalho.
Coach:
Stefano Pioli.
Referee: Luca Banti (Livorno).
Booked: Guarente 15, Gilardino 77, Pereira 80, Gabbiadini 93, Ranocchia 96, Mudingayi 100, Motta 111.
Added time: 1+4 minutes.
Attendance: 8,734.
