Coppa Italia, Atalanta makes it five at Spezia: Inter is in the quarterfinals

Coppa Italia, Atalanta-Spezia 5-2

Atalanta beats Spezia 5-2 in the Coppa Italia round of 16 match played in Bergamo Thursday afternoon and advances to the quarterfinals of the competition, where it will meet Inter Milan fresh from Wednesday night’s success in the Italian Super Cup.

The Orobici, who only a few days ago trimmed eight goals against Salernitana, also start strong against Luca Gotti’s Bianconeri, scoring with Ademola Lookman in the 10th and 12th minutes. Spezia did well to get back into the game immediately, taking advantage of a goal signed by Albin Ekdal in the 14th minute, but Hans Hateboer put two goals back in the game in the 27th minute on an assist from Duvan Zapata.

Before the end of the half, however, the Ligurians shortened again, with Daniele Verde’s strike sealing a first half full of chances and spectacle. The pace, however, changed in the second half: Atalanta managed the lead and stung for good in the 72nd minute, when Rasmus Hojlund pierced Zovko to make it 4-2. In full recovery the fifth goal, an unfortunate own goal by Ethan Ampadu validated thanks to goal-line technology.

Onward, then, Gian Piero Gasperini’s men: on January 31, the all-Nerazzurri challenge against Inter that will decide one of the four semifinalists of the tournament.