Napoli 1-1 Como (6-7 pens): Lobotka miss sends Conte's men out of Coppa Italia

  /  autty

Napoli crashed out of the Coppa Italia at the quarter-final stage, losing 7-6 to Cesc Fabregas' Como in a dramatic penalty shoot-out following a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes.

Stanislav Lobotka was the villain for last season's Scudetto holders after the shoot-out went to sudden death, with Jean Butez guessing right to parry his kick and send Como to their first semi-final in 40 years. 

Como were comfortably the better team in the first half and went ahead through Martin Baturina's 39th-minute penalty, which was awarded after Mathias Olivera fouled Ivan Smolcic as the full-back attempted to turn home a cross at the far post. 

Napoli levelled just 44 seconds into the second half, however, as Antonio Vergara raced onto Rasmus Hojlund's flick-on before finishing calmly.

Nico Paz came up with a vital clearance in front of his own goal to deny Napoli a winner, while Vanja Milinkovic-Savic had to stay alert to deny Mergim Vojvoda at the other end.

With the teams forced to settle for spot-kicks, Romelu Lukaku blinked first with a terrible effort that flew wide of the right post, though Milinkovic-Savic denied Maximo Perrone to keep Napoli in it.

But after a run of eight successful kicks – including a Milinkovic-Savic attempt that struck the crossbar, the back of Butez's head and the post before settling in the net – the Como goalkeeper dived right to deny Lobotka and seal victory for his team.

Data Debrief: Como end 40-year wait

Como previously reached the Coppa Italia semi-finals way back in 1985-86, eliminating Juventus and then Scudetto holders Hellas Verona before facing Sampdoria in the last four.

After Como conceded an extra-time equaliser in the second leg of that tie, crowd trouble prompted the game to be abandoned and Sampdoria to be awarded victory. Forty years after last being in this position, Como will face Serie A leaders Inter in the semis.

And Fabregas will feel his team deserved to advance after edging out Napoli for shots (nine to eight), shots on target (four to three), touches in the opposition box (15 to nine) and expected goals (1.08 xG to 0.58).  

Related: Napoli Conte
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