Napoli continued their fine form this term when they edged past Fiorentina in the ongoing Coppa Italia tournament.
Jose Callejon proved to be the one separating both sides as he scored the lone goal to seal the victory for Napoli at the tournament semi final.
The heated affair ended with ten men apiece as both sides fought hard to outdo each other. Borja Valero and Gonzalo Rodriguez did not play the game for the visitors. Nikola Maksimovic started at the back in a rare showing while Leonardo Pavoletti got his first start for the club. Dries Mertens was rested for the clash.
Both sides met recently with no victors as the game ended 3-3 in the Serie A. This time Napoli emerged victorious due to the goal from the former Bernabeu forward.
Fiorentina did not go down easily as they played Napoli through counter attacks. Napoli shot stopper Pepe Reina had to stretch to stop an effort from Federico Chiesa. However Napoli were calm, dominating the early stages of the duel.
Efforts from Callejon and Lorenzo Insigne did not score as goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu kept them away before and after the break.
Maggio came on for Strinic in the 61st minute for Napoli, Allan came on for Hamsik in the 82nd minute after Mertens replaced Pavoletti. Fiorentina tried Ilicic and Borja Valero in the 75th minute after Callejon’s 71st minute goal.
Elseid Hysaj was sent off when he picked up a second yellow card in the 889th minute in a bid to stop the attack of Fiorentina. In a harsh decision the referee Doveri equalled the number of men on the picth when he gave Maxi Olivera two yellow cards as the player lost his temper. All in all Napoli would be content with their victory no matter how small the margin.