Napoli 4-2 Spezia: Kalidou Koulibaly's back-heel finish sparks first-half blitz and ease the pressure on coach Gennaro Gattuso as hosts book cup semi-final against Atalanta
- Pressure building on Gattuso after Napoli suffered sixth defeat in Serie A
- President Aurelio De Laurentiis reportedly called Rafa Benitez to discuss a return
- Napoli scored four times in the first half to beat Spezia on Thursday night
Defending champions Napoli scored four times in the first half to beat Spezia 4-2 on Thursday night and reach the semi-finals of Coppa Italia.
Gennaro Gattuso's side will face Atalanta in the two-legged semi-finals. Atalanta beat Lazio 3-2 on Wednesday.
The other semi-final pits Juventus against Inter Milan.
Kalidou Koulibaly scored with a back-heeled flick after Piotr Zielinski's effort hit the bar
Napoli took the lead with less than five minutes on the clock. Piotr Zielinski's effort was deflected onto the bar and the ball was then rolled across for Kalidou Koulibaly to score with a back-heeled flick from close range.
Zielinski then set up goals for Hirving Lozano and Matteo Politano before Eljif Elmas capped an impressive first-half performance when he slotted in Lorenzo Insigne's cross five minutes from the break.
Spezia briefly threatened a comeback as Emmanuel Gyasi and Gennaro Acampora scored within three minutes of each other midway through the second half.
Diego Demme hit the post for Napoli late on.
Napoli midfielder Eljif Elmas slotted in Lorenzo Insigne's cross five minutes from the break
Thursday's victory in the the Coppa Italia eased the pressure on coach Gennaro Gattuso
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