Inter almost fumbled a 3-0 lead over Serie B minnows Trapani, a 3-2 victory setting up a date with Udinese.
Inter almost fumbled a 3-0 lead over Serie B minnows Trapani, a 3-2 victory setting up a date with Udinese.
Walter Mazzarri rotated the squad for this Coppa Italia Fourth Round tie, giving Mateo Kovacic, Marco Andreolli, Gaby Mudingayi, Juan Pablo Carrizo and Chelsea-owned defender Wallace rare starts.
The Nerazzurri broke through almost immediately when a Fredy Guarin free kick bounced off the upright, on to Trapani defender Richard Marcone and ricocheted into the net.
Ishak Belfodil volleyed in Alvaro Pereira’s assist for his first goal in an Inter jersey, then before the break Saphir Taider converted a penalty for a foul on Guarin.
Trapani were considerably more aggressive in the second half and, after Carrizo parried a Giovanni Abate volley, Cristian Caccetta took advantage of an Andrea Ranocchia error to score at San Siro.
The tiny Serie B club silenced the San Siro crowd by getting back to 3-2 when Giuseppe Madonia’s daisy-cutter beat Carrizo.
It was almost 3-3 in stoppages, as Maurizio Ciaramitaro didn’t make the most of a Carrizo howler and the hosts held on under pressure.
Inter also made history in this game, as 16-year-old Federico Bonazzoli came off the bench to become the youngest ever player in the club’s senior squad.
The Nerazzurri go through to the Fifth Round of the Coppa Italia, where they will play Udinese in January. Click here for our Coppa Italia section.
Inter 3-2 Trapani
Scorers: Marcone og 4 (I), Belfodil 40 (I), Taider pen 44 (I), Caccetta 54 (T), Madonia 90 (T)