Xherdan Shaqiri scored his first goal for Inter Milan to help his side see off Sampdoria 2-0 in the last 16 of the Coppa Italia this evening.
The visiting side were dealt a blow just 11 minutes into the contest when Nenad Krsticic was dismissed for hauling down Mauro Icardi, who was bearing down on goal following a quick break.
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Mateo Kovacic forced Sergio Romero into making a stop shortly after which the Argentina international did well to push away. Icardi looked to have latched on to the loose ball only for the flag to be raised for offside.
Icardi was gifted a glorious chance to edge his side ahead on the 37-minute mark when Inter were awarded a penalty, but the forward saw his spot kick saved by Romero.
On-loan Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski himself came close to making a breakthrough shortly before the interval when his header was put behind for a corner kick.
The resulting set piece made its way to the German international on the edge of the box, but this time his attempt was deflected wide in the last attacking move of the half.
Shaqiri made a lively start to the second period, chesting down the ball just outside the area and firing a shot away at goal which fizzed narrowly wide.
There was no stopping the January recruit shortly after, though, with the Swiss latching on to Podolski's back-heeled pass inside the area and neatly tucking the ball home to open his Nerazzurri account.
Matters were made even worse for Sampdoria 13 minutes from time when Pawel Wszolek was shown a second yellow to see his side reduced to nine men, and the game was finally put to bed late on when Icardi rounded the keeper to tap the ball into an empty net.
Seven-time winners Inter, who find themselves five places below tonight's opponents in the Serie A table, will now take on either Udinese or Napoli in the next round.
Daniel Lewis
