Como reach Coppa Italia semis for first time in 40 years on penalties

Como celebrate their opener

Como booked their place in the Coppa Italia semi-finals for just the second time in their history and the first time in 40 years after Cesc Fabregas’s men beat Napoli on penalties at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.

After earning his 400th career win as a manager on the weekend, Napoli boss Antonio Conte would’ve been looking to quickly make it 401, but was instead left frustrated by his side’s first-half performance.

The home side created very little in a tepid opening 45 minutes with their best opportunity arriving on the quarter-hour mark, when Stanislav Lobotka’s shot comfortably bounced into the grateful arms of Jean Butez.

Como bided their time but took control of the contest from the half-hour mark, as they began to test Vanja Milinkovic-Savic in the Napoli goal. Nico Paz and Maximo Perrone provided warning signs with half-chances, before Ivan Smolcic tried to slot home at the back post but failed to get the connection required.

The Croatian fullback was given a let off, however, after a lengthy VAR review found that he was brought down by Mathias Olivera and Como were awarded a penalty kick. Martin Baturina stepped up and buried his spot kick into the bottom-left corner

Napoli got off to the best possible start in the second half as they drew level just 43 seconds after the restart. Rasmus Hojlund flick-on sent Antonio Vergara through on goal and showed brilliant composure to coolly slot past Butez.

Como looked to restore their advantage and came close to doing so just before the hour mark when Jayden Addai broke through on goal, but after being forced wide, his effort from a tight angle was saved by Milinkovic-Savic.

Following the hour mark, neither side looked likely to net a second goal as both defences cancelled each other out, resulting in little goalmouth action.

Match stats

Mergim Vojvoda saw a late shot tipped over the bar by the Napoli stopper, but penalties were required to separate the two teams in the end.

Como dispatched their first two penalties before Romelu Lukaku dragged his spot kick wide, giving the away side the advantage, but Perrone was denied by Milinkovic-Savic as they headed into sudden death.

After Marc-Oliver Kempf netted 7-6 to Como, Butez stepped up for the visitors to save from Lobotka’s spot kick and send Fabregas’s men into the semis.

Conte will be left seething as they have just the Serie A title left to play for after exiting two cup competitions in the space of two weeks.

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