Goalkeeper Jean Butez emerged as the hero for Como, leading his team to a thrilling victory over six-time champions Napoli in a penalty shootout, securing a spot in their first Coppa Italia semifinal in four decades.
Under the management of Cesc Fabregas, Como held their composure to eliminate the current Serie A champions, winning 7-6 after a tense shootout, marked by Butez’s crucial save against captain Stanislav Lobotka, much to the shock of the home fans at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. This victory sets up a clash with Inter Milan.
For Fabregas, it was a personal victory as he faced off against Antonio Conte, with whom he enjoyed significant success during their time together at Chelsea.
The match ended 1-1 after regular time. Antonio Vergara equalized following Martin Baturina’s first-half penalty, with both teams having opportunities to clinch the game before the shootout commenced.
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The match began fiercely, with both teams contesting primarily in midfield, although Napoli’s striker Rasmus Højlund managed to stretch the Como defense on several occasions.
Como was the first to threaten when full-back Álex Valle found space on the left and delivered a cross for Niko Vaz, whose downward header was comfortably saved by Napoli’s Vanja Milinkovic-Savic within the first 10 minutes.
Lobotka tested Butez with a long-range shot in the 16th minute, while Napoli’s defender Juan Jesus had to intervene to prevent Valle from scoring after he made a penetrating run 32 minutes in.
Como took the lead just before halftime when, after Mathías Olivera fouled Ivan Smolcic, Baturina executed a penalty kick into the bottom corner even as Milinkovic-Savic guessed correctly.
Napoli quickly responded, equalizing within a minute of the second half thanks to Vergara, who converted Højlund’s clever flick past the advancing Butez.
Paz cleared a header off the line in the 65th minute as Napoli intensified their attack, but Milinkovic-Savic had to perform a fingertip save in the 83rd minute to prevent substitute Mërgim Vojvoda from scoring, thus pushing the match into penalties.
In the shootout, substitute Romelu Lukaku misfired, allowing Como to take a 3-1 lead. However, Milinkovic-Savic saved a penalty from Máximo Perrone, but Butez’s save against Lobotka ignited celebrations among his teammates and the traveling supporters.