Cavani double ends Inter Coppa hopes

Posted Thursday, January 26, 2012 by ESPN

Edinson Cavani's brace fired Napoli into the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia on Wednesday evening at the expense of reigning champions Inter Milan.

Cavani's second-half strikes secured a 2-0 win at the San Paolo stadium that sees Napoli safely through to a last-four encounter with Siena, who defeated Chievo 1-0 in Wednesday's other quarter-final tie.

Walter Mazzarri's side had won just two of their last six Serie A games coming into Wednesday night's match and were facing an Inter side riding a seven-match winning streak in the league, but Napoli turned the form book on its head with an assured display.

Cavani opened the scoring after 50 minutes, stroking home from the penalty spot after being fouled in the box by Thiago Motta, who was named in the side despite being strongly linked with a move to Paris St Germain.

Cavani added his second in stoppage time as Napoli denied Inter a place in the semi-finals for the first time in nine years.

Siena booked their berth in the semis for the first time after their narrow win at Chievo.

Mattia Destro scored the game's only goal after 54 minutes, and Siena held on for the victory despite having to play the final half-hour with 10 men following the dismissal of Paolo Grossi.

The quarter-final matches conclude on Thursday with Lazio's trip to AC Milan. The winners of that tie will face Juventus in the other semi-final, after the Bianconeri beat Roma 3-0 on Tuesday.

Wednesday's Coppa Italia Results

Napoli 2-0 Inter Milan
Ranieri: Ref to blame for Coppa exit
Chievo 0-1 Siena

Tuesday's Coppa Italia Results

Juventus 3-0 Roma
Conte: We wanted semi-final spot
Enrique: Roma not inferior to Juve

Thursday's Coppa Italia Fixtures

AC Milan vs Lazio