NAPLES, ITALY - JANUARY 19: Stevan Jovetic of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the TIM Cup match between SSC Napoli and FC Internazionale Milano at Stadio San Paolo on January 19, 2016 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa - Inter/Inter via Getty Images)
Inter gained a measure of revenge over Napoli to move into the semifinals of the Coppa Italia courtesy of a 2-0 win at Stadio San Paolo on Tuesday.
Napoli beat Inter in the quarterfinals last year but goals from Stevan Jovetic and Adem Ljajic -- either side of Dries Mertens' dismissal -- capped a frustrating night for Maurizio Sarri and his Serie A leaders.
Inter failed to muster a shot in the first half and was perhaps fortunate to be level at the break as goalkeeper Samir Handanovic continued his fine form to deny Mertens and Jose Callejon. Roberto Mancini's men rallied after the break and, despite bringing leading scorer Gonzalo Higuain off the bench, Napoli fell behind when Jovetic produced the visitor's first moment of real quality with 74 minutes on the clock.
Inter's first win over Napoli in eight attempts was made slightly easier in the final stages as Mertens was shown a second yellow card for diving inside the penalty area amid minimal contact from Miranda. And Jovetic then turned provider for Ljajic, who sealed the tie with a cool finish on the break in stoppage time.
Mancini's side awaits the winner of Juventus and Lazio in the semis, while 2014 Coppa winner Napoli is left to focus on Serie A and the Europa League.
While Napoli rested Higuain and Lorenzo Insigne, Mancini dropped Mauro Icardi to the bench and named Juan Jesus in place of Jeison Murillo following the Colombian's own goal at Atalanta on Saturday.
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