Inter booked their place in the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia with a hard-earned 2-0 victory at Serie A leaders Napoli.

Stevan Jovetic and Adem Ljajic were on target for the visitors as Napoli lost for only the second time since August.

Napoli’s misery was compounded by the dismissal of Dries Mertens late on.

The Partenopei had created the better chances in the first half.

Belgian midfielder Mertens saw a curling effort saved by Samir Handanovic, with the Inter goalkeeper then producing a fine one-handed stop to deny Jose Callejon.

Inter regrouped for the second half, with Gary Medel firing over from Jovetic’s cross.

Sarri sent on first Slovak playmaker Marek Hamsik and then striker Gonzalo Higuain for the final 20 minutes to try to inject new life into the hosts.

However, it was Inter who secured the breakthough after 73 minutes when Jovetic cracked in a superb 25-yard effort over static keeper Pepe Reine and into the net.

Napoli’s frustrating evening was compounded with three minutes left when Mertens, who had already been cautioned, was shown a second yellow card for simulation.

In stoppage time, Ljajic raced clear as Napoli pressed up field for an equaliser, running half the length of the pitch to slot into the bottom left corner.

As Inter celebrated, tempers flared in the rival technical areas, with Inter boss Roberto Mancini sent to the stands.

Playing today: 20.45 Lazio vs Juventus.