There were more shocks in the Coppa Italia, as Messina eliminated Lazio 4-3 in a night of surprise exits for the Serie A clubs.
Lazio crashed out of the competition after a very entertaining match at Messina. The Sicilians were out of the blocks and away with two goals in the opening four minutes scored by Ivica Iliev and Nicolas Cordova, the latter curling in straight from the corner flag.
However, Goran Pandev proved decisive in a one-man comeback mission, scoring at the 6th and 69th minute to draw level with a right-foot finish and left-footed free kick.
It inevitably went to extra time and Arturo Di Napoli – probably playing his last game for Messina – snatched a memorable brace to send the Sicilians through.
It was a tense finale, though, as Italian international Tommaso Rocchi scored on a Pandev assist to keep Lazio in it to the death. Messina nonetheless won 4-3 to set up a meeting with Inter in the next round.
Atalanta looked set for victory at Triestina with Carrozzieri’s early goal, but a red card proved costly. Summer signing Tissone was sent off on 87 minutes and deep into stoppages Kyriazis forced extra time. The dismissal made the difference, as Mattia Graffiedi and Eliakwu – plus Soncin’s last-gasp goal for the Orobici – gave Triestina an unexpected 3-2 victory that sets up a clash with Roma.
Genoa and Modena will be two of the toughest teams to beat in Serie B this season and were locked in a 1-1 draw at the final whistle. Nicola Campedelli had given the Canarini the lead, but Martins Adailton popped up with a crucial goal in the final minute and the Brazilian completed his brace in extra time. Greco put the final seal on the 3-1 victory at Marassi and Juri Tamburini saw red for Modena.
Genoa, who eliminated Fiorentina in the last round, continue their march and will take on Empoli next.
Crotone held local rivals Reggina to a 0-0 draw despite Gaetano De Rosa's red card on the hour mark. This tie also went all the way to decide a winner, when Alessandro Lucarelli’s header from a Leon corner kick hit the back of the net. The Amaranto book their appointment with Chievo.
The goalkeepers were the heroes when Cagliari visited Brescia at the Stadio Rigamonti. The Serie B side were awarded two penalties in the first half, but Antonio Chimenti saved from both Serafini and then Jadid 15 minutes later.
The match went to extra time and, not to be outdone, Brescia shot-stopper Viviano parried a David Suazo spot-kick to keep the scoreline level.
Chimenti was eventually beaten after 108 minutes by Serafini and Brescia go through to face Milan.
Udinese thought they had secured victory away to Arezzo with Sulley Ali Muntari’s first half strike and Morgan De Sanctis saved a late penalty from Antonio Floro Flores, but he could do nothing on Vigna’s follow-up.
The goal took the game to extra time and it could only be decided in a penalty shoot-out, with Serie B outfit Arezzo triumphing 7-6 to set up their clash with Livorno
Coppa: Messina win Lazio thriller
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