Coppa Italia: Roma misery in penalties defeat to minnows Spezia

Sport360 staff 03:36 17/12/2015
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Crashing out: Roma's Maicon chases Nene.

    Serie A title hopefuls Roma were knocked out of the Italian Cup on Wednesday night as second division Spezia caused a stunning upset to advance to the quarter-finals with a 4-2 penalty shootout victory.

    A goalless 90 minutes was followed by two periods of extra-time where neither goal was troubled so the game was decided from 12 yards. Home midfielder Miralem Pjanic and striker Edin Dzeko fired over the crossbar as the Serie B visitors took a 2-0 lead from the spot through Claudio Terzi and Brazilian Nene.

    Italy midfielder Daniele De Rossi then French left-back Lucas Digne made amends by slotting their spot-kicks past Leandro Chichizola in the Spezia goal, but it was too little too late as Juande and Gennaro Acampora scored to make it a big night for the Little Eagles.

    Victory sets up a quarter-final tie with Lega Pro side Alessandria who themselves had enjoyed a special win against Serie A side Genoa on Tuesday.

    A fortnight after ending Palermo’s interest in the competition with a shock 3-2 win in Sicily, Alessandria stopped Genoa’s progression thanks to a 113th-minute winner from Riccardo Bocalon.

    The shocks were not just confined to the Eternal City on Wednsday night as Fiorentina, currently second in Serie A, went down 1-0 at home to second-bottom Carpi, for whom Antonio Di Gaudio scored a 76th minute winner.

    There was no shock in Naples, however, as Napoli set up a quarterfinal meeting with Internazionale following a comfortable 3-0 win over Verona.

    Their passage was virtually sealed inside the first 12 minutes as Moroccan midfielder Omar El Kaddouri and Dries Mertens ensured the hosts got off to the perfect start at the Stadio San Paolo.

    El Kaddouri opened the scoring after just four minutes and Belgium wideman Mertens doubled the advantage eight minutes later to give Maurizio Sarri’s side a commanding lead.

    A spot in the last eight was confirmed when Jose Callejon netted a third for the hosts 15 minutes from time. Gli Azzurri will now face Inter after they progressed on Tuesday with an equally comfortable 3-0 home win over Cagliari.

    Recommended