Del Piero double eases Juventus pain
Reuters - Wednesday 13 January 2010, 21:50
MILAN - Juventus ended their poor run with
a 3-0 home win over Napoli in the Italian Cup last 16 on
Wednesday but Diego's opener caused huge controversy.
Juve coach Ciro Ferrara had presided over four defeats in
five games but looks safe in his job for now after a victory
sealed by two second-half goals from the little-used Alessandro
Del Piero, the second a penalty.
The first goal was the main talking point, however, with
Brazilian playmaker Diego, a major flop since his big
close-season move from Werder Bremen, netted on 24 minutes
despite Napoli's Jesus Datolo lying injured on the floor.
The in-form visitors furiously protested but the strike
stood.
Juve face a quarter-final this month against Serie A leaders
Inter Milan, who progressed in December with a 1-0 win over
Livorno.
Mathieu Flamini earlier spared AC Milan's blushes by netting
the winner nine minutes from time in a 2-1 last-16 victory over
third tier Novara.
Striker Filippo Inzaghi, now 36 and often a substitute under
manager Leonardo this season, had reminded Milan of his worth
with a 12th-minute opener and other fine touches.
A second-string Milan side allowed Pablo Gonzalez to score
just after the break but the hosts prevailed when Flamini's
powerful strike set up a meeting with Udinese or Lumezzane, who
play on Thursday.
Catania's Gianvinto Plasmati scored twice early on in a 2-1
win at nine-man Genoa and AS Roma beat second division Triestina
3-1 on Tuesday.
Holders Lazio are at home to Palermo in the last 16 on
Thursday.