Napoli have dashed the hopes of Italian Cup glory for neighbouring rival Salernitana with a 3-1 win at home, setting up a potentially mouth-watering encounter with Juventus should the bianconeri knock out Catania.

Napoli played host to Serie B side Salernitana in the Coppa Italia last 16 tie that would decide which team joined Sampdoria and Udinese (who went through after beating respectively Empoli and Reggina) in the quarter finals. As expected, it turned out to be a straightforward victory for the home side, who prevailed by a 3-1 scoreline.

The first goal was scored in the 16th minute, when Maurizio Peccarisi deflected the ball past his own goalkeeper on a cross by Michele Pazienza.

The visitors’ defence was all over the place and Napoli practically wrapped up the game in the 25th minute with a well-worked move, Marek Hamsik finding Daniele Mannini on the left side of the area, the latter then played it to Piá, who scored with an easy tap-in.

After dominating the first half, Napoli allowed Salernitana to get back into the game early in the restart as they found the net through former Messina striker Arturo Di Napoli, who fired in a free kick which was deflected by the wall and past goalkeeper Nicolas Navarro (50’).

However, just three minutes later the home side restored their two-goal cushion thanks to a penalty awarded for a foul by Giovanni Marchese on Christian Maggio. Marek Hamsik stepped up to convert the spot-kick, and made no mistake.

In injury time, Salernitana were left with ten men as midfielder Manolo Pestrin was sent off after receiving his second yellow card.

Goal.com

NAPOLI-SALERNITANA 3-1

GOALS: 16’ Peccarisi o.g. (N), 25’ Piá (N), 50’ Di Napoli (S), 53’ Hamsik pen. (N)

Sent off: Pestrin 91'

Napoli: Navarro, Grava, Rinaudo, Aronica, Montervino, Pazienza, Gargano (Russotto 73), Hamsik (Bogliacino 63), Mannini (Maggio 46), Zalayeta, Pià

Salernitana: Pinna, Ambrogioni, Marchese (Giannone 80), Kyriazis, Fusco, Ciarcià, Pestrin, Scarpa (Piccioni 63), Peccarisi, Di Napoli