Title-holders Napoli beat visiting Spezia 4-2 Thursday to advance in the Italian Cup as they wrapped up the event’s quarter-final round.
Kalidou Koulibaly, Hirving Lozano, Matteo Politano and Eljif Elmas struck for the Naples hosts before half-time.
With a spot in the Coppa Italia semi-finals up for grabs, Gennaro Gattuso’s Napoli wasted no time in taking the lead against Spezia. They needed just five minutes.
The goal was scored by Kalidou Koulibaly who, with a great backheel inside the six-yard box, put Napoli ahead. He finished what was a comical move in fine fashion.
The move started through a free-kick on the touchline which was initially cleared and then Zielinski’s shot was deflected off a defender and onto the bar.
After the ball hit the woodwork, the ball went to the feet of Hysaj who assisted Koulibaly and the central defender scored the first goal with a sensational finish. Napoli were 4-0 up after 40 minutes after goals by Lozano, Politano and Elmas.
But the dynamic Serie A newcomers kept the game alive through goals from Emmanuel Gyasi and Gennaro Acampora.
Spezia won 2-1 in Naples earlier this month in league action.
The Neapolitans are to meet Atalanta in the first leg of the semi-finals next week as the Bergamo side eliminated Lazio 3-2 on Wednesday.
Juventus beat second-division SPAL 4-0 and will meet Inter Milan, who edged AC Milan 2-1 on Tuesday.
