Napoli edge Bologna to clinch Italian Cup quarter finals
By DPA, IANSTuesday, January 18, 2011
ROME - Napoli secured a berth in the quarter finals of the Italian Cup with a 2-1 win over guests Bologna at Naples’ San Paolo stadium.
Napoli rested their Uruguayan bomber Edinson Cavani, but took the lead on nine minutes with a great header from Algerian midfielder Hassan Yebda, who found the far angle off a corner kick that Ezequiel Lavezzi curled by the first post.
The small Argentine forward was on target on 23 minutes, beating Cristiano Lupatelli with a classy stop-and-shoot inside the box.
The hosts had more chances in the second half with Colombian Juan Zuniga and Lavezzi. Bologna pulled one back when Brazilian Emilson Cribari floored Riccardo Meggiorini, who converted from the spot on 56 minutes.
Cavani and Christian Maggio came on to provide pressure upfront although Bologna seemed unable to create telling chances for an attack package missing veteran striker Marco Di Vaio.
In remaining games of the round of 16, Lazio face Roma in a city derby Wednesday, when Sampdoria host Udinese, while Serie A leaders AC Milan welcome minnows Bari Thursday.
Inter, Juventus, Palermo and Parma have already qualified for the quarter finals scheduled for next week.
