Como Stuns Napoli in Coppa Italia Shootout, Reaches Semifinals

Como defeated Napoli 7-6 on penalties following a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, securing their place in the Coppa Italia semi-finals where they will face Inter Milan. Baturina scored for Como in the 39th minute, while Vergara equalized for Napoli in the first minute of the second half, according to reports from ANSA.

The match marks a significant upset in the Coppa Italia, with Serie B side Como eliminating a strong Napoli team. This victory continues a run of surprising results in the competition, following Napoli’s own lengthy penalty shootout win against Cagliari earlier this month. That previous encounter ended 9-8 after a 1-1 draw, demonstrating the unpredictable nature of the Coppa Italia and the willingness of Serie A teams to rotate squads during the competition, particularly with commitments to both the league title race and Champions League qualification.

Napoli’s elimination comes shortly after a successful run in the Supercoppa Italiana, where they defeated AC Milan 2-0 on December 18, 2025, earning a spot in the final. The identity of their opponent in that final remains to be determined. This latest defeat, however, underscores the challenges faced by teams balancing multiple competitions and the increasing competitiveness of Italian football.

Inter Milan’s progression to the semi-finals was considerably more straightforward, with a dominant 5-1 victory over Venezia, the only remaining Serie B team in the competition. Andy Diouf scored his first goal for Inter, opening the scoring in the 18th minute, followed quickly by a goal from Pio Esposito. Marcus Thuram added a further two goals, effectively sealing the victory before a consolation goal from Venezia’s Richie Sagrado and a late strike from Ange-Yoan Bonny. Inter will face either Roma or Torino in the next round.

The Coppa Italia has seen several notable results in recent weeks. Atalanta also secured their place in the quarter-finals with a 4-0 win over Genoa, a match that marked Daniele De Rossi’s first defeat as Genoa coach since taking charge last month. The competition has provided opportunities for teams to experiment with squad rotations, as evidenced by both Napoli and Inter heavily rotating their players due to their commitments in Serie A and the Champions League.

The penalty shootout between Napoli and Como highlights the increasing drama and unpredictability of the Coppa Italia. The lengthy shootout, requiring 20 penalties in total between the two teams, mirrors a similar scenario earlier in the tournament when Napoli overcame Cagliari. This suggests a trend towards closely contested matches and a reliance on penalty shootouts to determine the outcome, particularly as teams prioritize other competitions.

Como’s victory is particularly noteworthy given their status as a Serie B team. Their ability to eliminate a Serie A side like Napoli demonstrates the growing competitiveness of Italian football outside the top flight and the potential for upsets in cup competitions. The team’s success will likely boost morale and provide momentum as they continue their campaign in Serie B.

The semi-final matchups – Inter Milan versus either Roma or Torino, and Como versus Napoli – promise further exciting encounters in the Coppa Italia. The competition continues to provide a platform for both established Serie A teams and emerging Serie B contenders to showcase their talent and compete for a coveted trophy. The outcome of these matches will have significant implications for the teams involved, particularly as they navigate their respective league campaigns and potential European qualification bids.

The focus now shifts to the upcoming semi-final ties, with Inter Milan appearing as strong favorites to advance to the final. However, Como’s recent performance suggests they are capable of causing another upset. The competition’s unpredictable nature ensures that the final outcome remains uncertain, adding to the excitement and anticipation surrounding the Coppa Italia.