Title-holders Napoli beat visiting Spezia 4-2 to advance in the Italian Cup as they wrapped up the event’s quarter-final round.
Senegalese Kalidou Koulibaly, Hirving Lozano, Matteo Politano and Eljif Elmas struck for the Naples hosts before half-time.
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.
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.
They did so thanks to a goal from a backheel by Koulibaly. He expertly finished what was a crazy move.
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.
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.
