FLORENCE: Fiorentina defeated Serie A rivals Bologna 5-4 on penalties on Tuesday to go to the Coppa Italia semi-finals after their last-eight match ended goalless after extra time.
Bologna defender Stefan Posch hit the crossbar with their fifth penalty, which Fiorentina midfielder Maxime Lopez converted to send last year’s finalists through.
Bologna enjoyed more possession but were unable to break the deadlock after knocking out holders Inter Milan in the last 16.
In the 34th minute, striker Joshua Zirkzee hit the crossbar from close range, before winger Riccardo Orsolini hit the post after the intermission.
Also read: Wimbledon champ Marketa withdraws from Adelaide
Fiorentina, fourth in Serie A with 33 points, one point ahead of fifth-placed Bologna, stayed tight in defense before reaching the semi-finals for the first time.
In a two-leg semi-final in April, they will meet the winner of Wednesday’s match between AC Milan and Atalanta.
In the other quarter-final, Lazio visit AS Roma in a derby on Wednesday, before Juventus welcome Frosinone at home on Thursday.
