MILAN: Serie A leaders Inter Milan were beaten 2-1 at home by Bologna in Coppa Italia last 16 on Wednesday after an array of wasted chances saw Simone Inzaghi’s side crash out of the competition following an extra time.
Forward Lautaro Martinez failed to put Inter in front from the spot when a penalty was awarded to the hosts after the hour mark as the Argentine was denied by Bologna keeper Federico Ravaglia.
Inter defender Carlos Augusto opened the scoring two minutes into the extra time with a header before Bologna’s Sam Beukema and Dan Ndoye both scored in extra time’s second half to book a spot in the quarter-finals.
Inter had won all of their previous eight Coppa Italia matches against Bologna, who are currently fourth in the Serie A standings.
Bologna, managed by ex-Inter midfielder Thiago Motta, join Fiorentina, Lazio and Frosinone, who beat league champions Napoli 4-0 on Tuesday, in the last eight. The remaining four last-16 ties will be held early next month with the only Serie B side left in the competition Cremonese heading to Roma on Jan 3.
Published in Dawn, December 22nd, 2023