The Azzurri reach the quarter-finals
Napoli beat Cagliari on penalties in the Coppa Italia round of 16 after drawing 1-1 in regular time. The Azzurri took the lead after half an hour with a header from Lorenzo Lucca, who was set up by Antono Vergara. However, Cagliari equalised in the second half through Sebastiano Esposito and the match went to penalties. After 10 penalties Vanja Milinkovic-Savic kept out Zio Luvumbo's effort and Alessandro Buongiorno scored the decisive penalty to take Napoli through.
Here's what Antonio Conte had to say about the match:
"It was a positive performance and in the end we deserved to qualify. It's disappointing to concede the goal, which came from a rebound. Otherwise we're happy with how the lads approached the match and for having progressed in the Coppa Italia.
"I saw some good responses from the players who normally get fewer minutes, and we must continue like this because we need to make do with what we have until our other key players return.
"We know we'll have to fight hard at this stage of the season, so we must all give our all, as we are doing. I'm pleased with my players’ attitudes, and we must keep this up.”
Vanja Milinkovic-Savic was decisive, both for his penalty save from Zito Luvumbo and for scoring a penalty himself with a powerful effort:
"I'm especially happy because we've qualified. I was really decisive with my penalty, but we still had to score it, no matter what.
"Cagliari's equaliser came from a lucky rebound - we’d been always in control of the match. I think we deserved to reach the next round."
Alessandro Buongiorno scored the final penalty that sealed the win:
"The pressure was on me but it went well. I didn't think too much about it and I just tried to put it away. Penalty shootouts are never easy.
"Now we'll enjoy this victory and then starting tomorrow we'll start preparing for our next match against Juventus. We're very motivated and we will try to continue on this path to give our best on Sunday."
Giuseppe Ambrosino also made his first stat for the club and shared his excitement:
"I'm very happy because we managed to reach the next round. It was a special evening for me because for a Neapolitan, playing at the Maradona is a dream.
"It was an honour for a youngster like me to be able to play in front of such a crowd. I'm very happy and hope my efforts can help the team. I'll try to give my best so that I’m ready, should chances to play come my way."
Napoli 1-1 Cagliari (HT 1-0)
Scorers: Lucca 28, Esposito 67
NAPOLI: Milinkovic-Savic; Beukema, Juan Jesus, Olivera (Noa Lang 75), Mazzocchi (Buongiorno 68), Elmas, Vergara (75' Neres), Spinazzola, Politano, Ambrosino (McTominay 61), Lucca (Hojlund 68). Coach: Conte.
CAGLIARI: Caprile, Luperto, Obert, Rodriguez, Di Pardo, Adopo, Gaetano (Borrelli 55), Deiola (Felici 85), Kilicsoy (Sebastiano Esposito 55), Luvumbo, Pavoletti (Prati 55). Coach: Pisacane
Referee: Sacchi
Booked: Luperto, Prati
