Xherdan Shaqiri scored on his full debut from a Lukas Podolski assist, as Inter beat nine-man Sampdoria despite Mauro Icardi’s saved penalty.
The winners go on to face Napoli or Udinese in the quarter-finals on February 4.
Roberto Mancini gave Xherdan Shaqiri his first start, also picking Lukas Podolski, Mateo Kovacic and Mauro Icardi in an all-attack line-up. Samp forgave Stefano Okaka after being sent home early from training on Monday over a disciplinary matter.
Xherdan Shaqiri scored on his full debut from a Lukas Podolski assist, as Inter beat nine-man Sampdoria despite Mauro Icardi’s saved penalty.
The winners go on to face Napoli or Udinese in the quarter-finals on February 4.
Roberto Mancini gave Xherdan Shaqiri his first start, also picking Lukas Podolski, Mateo Kovacic and Mauro Icardi in an all-attack line-up. Samp forgave Stefano Okaka after being sent home early from training on Monday over a disciplinary matter.
Sinisa Mihajlovic was unable to face off against old friend and ex-boss Mancini, as the Serb was sitting out a touchline ban.
Shaqiri made an immediate impact, as did the referee. His inspired assist sparked an Icardi counter-attack and the Argentine was tripped by Nenad Krsticic. The official opted for a straight red card, although he was a good 25 metres away from goal and there was another Sampdoria defender close by.
Shaqiri had a couple of free kicks deflected just wide, then Kovacic wasted with a weak finish straight at Sergio Romero. Okaka tested Juan Pablo Carrizo, but Shaqiri would’ve got his debut Inter goal if it hadn’t been for a decisive Alessio Romagnoli sliding tackle.
Inter were struggling to find a way through 10-man Sampdoria, but Dodo was brought down clumsily by Pawel Wszolek for a penalty. Icardi stepped up, having decided the Serie A encounter between these sides earlier this season, but this time Romero beat away the spot-kick. The Argentina international goalkeeper had already shown his prowess on penalties at the 2014 World Cup.
Fabrizio Cacciatore went off injured, adding to Sampdoria’s woes, but Romero flew for a fantastic fingertip save on Podolski’s looping header under the bar.
Alfred Duncan and Shaqiri had long-range efforts off target, but Okaka under pressure couldn’t get enough power to his header from six yards.
Inter had a great chance on 56 minutes, as Icardi’s back-heel flick found Kovacic for an angled drive deflected inches past the far post. It was increasingly difficult to tell Sampdoria were down to 10 men and Shaqiri marked his full debut with a booking for simulation.
The Nerazzurri finally broke through with a goal that represents the new Inter. Podolski was man-marked, but still managed to flick with his feel and complete a give-and-go with Shaqiri, the ex-Bayern Munich man finishing it off with power at the near post.
Sampdoria went down to nine men, as Wszolek foolishly received a second booking for his mistimed challenge on Zdravko Kuzmanovic.
Icardi got his name on the scoresheet, pouncing on a terrible Lorenzo De Silvestri back-pass to go round Romero and deposit into an empty net. He was determined to net in order to show his T-Shirt welcoming daughter Francesca, who was born this week.
Inter 2-0 Sampdoria
Scorers: Shaqiri 71 (I), Icardi 88 (I)
Inter: Carrizo; D'Ambrosio, Andreolli, Juan Jesus, Dodò (Obi 89); Medel, Kuzmanovic; Shaqiri (Bonazzoli 79), Kovacic, Podolski; Icardi (Puscas 89)
Sampdoria: Romero; Gastaldello, Romagnoli, Cacciatore (Silvestre 45); Soriano (Duncan 46), Rizzo (De Silvestri 67), Krsticic, Marchionni; Djordjevic, Okaka, Wszolek
Ref: Tagliavento
Sent off: Krsticic 12 (S), Wszolek 77 (S)
Saved penalty: Icardi 37 (I)
Image via @Inter