Callejon guides Napoli through

AFP, MILAN: A fine second-half header from Jose Callejon fired Napoli into the semi-finals of the Italian Cup and a last four date with either Juventus or AC Milan after a bad-tempered 1-0 win over Fiorentina on Tuesday.
Both sides finished with 10 men at the Artemio Franchi stadium after a fiery finale that saw Napoli defender Elseid Hysaj then Fiorentina’s Maximiliano Olivera sent off within minutes of each other.
But Napoli were fully deserving of the win in a season which has seen Maurizio Sarri’s men keep Juventus on their toes as they bid for a record sixth consecutive Serie A title.
Stand-in striker Dries Mertens started on the bench as Sarri gave Leonardo Pavoletti his first start in a Napoli shirt, and the absent Belgian’s clinical finishing was perhaps missed in a wasteful first half for the hosts.
Pavoletti blazed over the Fiorentina bar and Ciprian Tararusanu was even more alert to the danger when he tipped Lorenzi Insigne’s free kick at the near post on to the crossbar.
Insigne, then Callejon spurned further chances before the end of a first half which, after battling to a thrilling 3-3 draw in their last league outing, surprisingly finished scoreless.
Fiorentina’s sole chances came on the counter, but the threat was real, Pepe Reina palming Federico Chiesa’s shot over from a tight angle before producing a fine one-handed save to parry a Davide Astori header.
Fiorentina resumed in determined fashion, Chiesa dribbling his way into the area only to be stopped in his tracks by an onrushing Reina. At the other end, Insigne’s angled drive on the left flank that was blocked yards from goal.

Callejon guides Napoli through

AFP, MILAN: A fine second-half header from Jose Callejon fired Napoli into the semi-finals of the Italian Cup and a last four date with either Juventus or AC Milan after a bad-tempered 1-0 win over Fiorentina on Tuesday. Both sides finished with 10 men at the Artemio Franchi stadium after a fiery finale that saw Napoli defender Elseid Hysaj then Fiorentinas Maximiliano Olivera sent off within minutes of each other. But Napoli were fully deserving of the win in a season which has seen Maurizio Sarris men keep Juventus on their toes as they bid for a record sixth consecutive Serie A title. Stand-in striker Dries Mertens started on the bench as Sarri gave Leonardo Pavoletti his first start in a Napoli shirt, and the absent Belgians clinical finishing was perhaps missed in a wasteful first half for the hosts. Pavoletti blazed over the Fiorentina bar and Ciprian Tararusanu was even more alert to the danger when he tipped Lorenzi Insignes free kick at the near post on to the crossbar. Insigne, then Callejon spurned further chances before the end of a first half which, after battling to a thrilling 3-3 draw in their last league outing, surprisingly finished scoreless. Fiorentinas sole chances came on the counter, but the threat was real, Pepe Reina palming Federico Chiesas shot over from a tight angle before producing a fine one-handed save to parry a Davide Astori header. Fiorentina resumed in determined fashion, Chiesa dribbling his way into the area only to be stopped in his tracks by an onrushing Reina. At the other end, Insignes angled drive on the left flank that was blocked yards from goal.