Inter 3 Cesena 2
Inter Milan moved up to fourth place in Serie A with a battling victory over Cesena last night.
Samuel Eto'o set the Nerazzurri on their way in the 14th minute and Diego Milito added a second just a minute later.
Cesena's Erjon Bogdani reduced the deficit midway through the first half before Emanuele Giaccherini equalised before the half-hour mark, but a breathless opening period ended with Cristian Chivu popping up with the winner for the hosts on the stroke of the interval.
Cesena had Giaccherini sent off with 15 minutes remaining for a second booking.
The result marks Inter's fourth consecutive league win under new coach Leonardo and sees the Nerazzurri moved six points behind leaders AC Milan with a game in hand.
Inter started brightly and they went in front when Eto'o met Milito's pass and fired home from 10 yards past Cesena goalkeeper Francesco Antonioli.
The hosts doubled their lead soon seconds later. Goran Pandev picked out Milito inside the area and his close-range effort beat Antonioli.
Cesena reduced the deficit in the 23rd minute when Luca Ceccarelli's cross found Bogdani at the heart of the area and his right-footed effort beat Inter goalkeeper Luca Castellazzi.
Inter kept the pressure on but were unable to extend their lead and Cesena got back on level terms in the 29th minute, Giaccherini meeting Luis Jimenez's pass and drilling home a right-footed strike from eight yards.
The Nerazzurri were soon back in front, however, with Chivu's header from Maicon's cross beating Antonioli to bring an end to a thrilling first half.
Cesena struggled to get past Inter's defence after the re-start and the home team could have added to their lead in the 66th minute but Eto'o's stinging drive from 30 yards hit the bar.
At the other end, Jimenez almost made it 3-3. His run to the edge of the penalty area saw him fire wide of the far post, but the dismissal of Giaccherini late on made their task all the harder.
Cesena never gave up hope though and with one minute remaining Igor Budan struck just wide from a good position.
ROMA BEAT LAZIO
Meanwhile, Roma beat city rivals Lazio 2-1 at the Stadio Olimpico to set up a Coppa Italia quarter-final meeting with Juventus.
Marco Borriello put Roma in front in the 53rd minute from the penalty spot following Stephan Lichsteiner's handball.
Lazio winger Hernanes equalised four minutes later, also from the spot, after Juan had brought down Mauro Zarate, but they were behind again 13 minutes from time.
Fabio Simplicio took advantage of a poor clearance from Lazio defender Stefan Radu and fired from a central position past Lazio goalkeeper Tommaso Berni.
Giuseppe Biava could have taken the game to extra time but his late header from Zarate's cross went over the bar in what was the last opportunity of the match.
Lazio dominated the opening half but it was Roma, without suspended captain Francesco Totti and injured striker Mirko Vucinic, who were the better side after the break.
"We all played a great game," said Roma goalkeeper Julio Sergio.
"The team deserves this success considering how hard we have worked.
"We have proved that we have a competitive squad.
"It's going to be difficult from now on in this competition but we always play to win."
Earlier today, Sampdoria booked their place in the quarter-finals with a penalty shootout victory over Udinese.
On-loan Manchester United striker Federico Macheda marked his first start for Samp with the opening goal in the 32nd minute - but Mauricio Isla's last-minute strike took the last-16 tie into extra time.
Things appeared to be going the way of the visitors when German Denis gave them the lead shortly after the resumption, then Samp had Daniele Dessena foolishly dismissed for sarcastically applauding the referee.
However, Giampaolo Pazzini's penalty squared matters with 12 minutes of extra time remaining, taking the tie to a shootout.
After eight excellent spot-kicks, Samp's Reto Ziegler blazed over - but Denis saw his attempt to take Udinese through saved by Junior Da Costa.
The balance of power had shifted and, when Isla saw his effort saved, Fernando Tissone coolly converted his spot-kick to earn the home side a clash against the winners of tomorrow's Milan versus Bari contest.