Napoli have beaten the current Coppa Italia holders Lazio 1-0 in tonight's quarter-final, thanks to a late goal by Gonzalo Higuain.
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After a bright start from both sides at the San Paolo, the first chance on target came in the 13th minute, as Brayan Perea lashed a shot towards Pepe Reina from the edge of the box. The Spanish keeper, however, was able to punch the ball away.
Six minutes later, Balde Diao Keita tried to lob the ball over Reina after winning it back from a Napoli goal kick, but he was flagged for offside. For the Partenopei, Gokhan Inler scuffed a shot in the 24th minute.
Just half-an-hour into the game, Lazio's Abdoulay Konko, who was carrying a knock coming into this match, appeared to have aggravated his injury, Luis Cavanda having to come on in his place.
With five minutes to go in the first half, Higuain very nearly broke the deadlock, but defender Diego Novaretti was at hand to put the ball behind and stop the Napoli striker from scoring a tap-in from close range.
The action then became frantic as both teams eagerly pushed forward to try to draw first blood before the break, culminating in a fierce effort by Jorginho which rattled the post from close range.
After the restart, the hosts appealed for a penalty as Higuain was sent tumbling by a challenge from Novaretti, but the referee allowed play to continue.
Nevertheless, Napoli began to find their way into the game, and pressed on with further chances by Higuain and Jorginho,
With less than 10 minutes to go, the Partenopei broke the deadlock. Jorginho picked up the ball on the edge of the box and fired towards goal, but just as it looked like it was heading wide, it took a deflection off Higuain and flew into the net.
Napoli go on to face Roma in the Coppa Italia semi-finals.
Giuseppe Labellarte
