CAGLIARI – Even the Cagliari comes out of the Italian Cup, who were beaten by Verona in the final minutes after coming back from a goal down, only to concede the decisive goal in the 87th minute. After a sluggish start, the Sardinians fell behind in the 23rd minute, losing possession and allowing Verona's Harroui to beat goalkeeper Radunovic. Pisacane's team's attempt to respond was ineffective until halftime, finding themselves back in the second half thanks to substitutions (Obert and Romano for Aurelio and Liteta). In the 11th minute of the second half, Obert himself set up the attack, which was followed by Fadera, whose cross into the penalty area was met by Mendy, who turned to level the score. The introduction of Adopo and Daniel Maldini didn't produce the desired effect for the Cagliari coach, who watched the defeat unfold when Mulattieri was left in position to fire past Radunovic. In the dying seconds of the match, Adopo squandered a good header, thus sealing Cagliari's elimination.
Palermo, in turn, secured a place in the round of 16, where they will face Bologna, thanks to a five-goal thrashing of Mantua (5-2). At the Stadio Barbera, goals from Pohjanpalo, who scored a brace, and Johnsen in the final minutes proved decisive. After taking a two-goal lead in the first half thanks to goals from Strefezza and Palumbo (penalty), Inzaghi's team lowered their center of gravity and slowed the pace of the game, conceding a comeback from Mantua within two minutes through Ruocco and Kouda. Then came the scene: Finnish and Norwegian to make the race easier.
