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MILAN (AP)—Juventus lost for the ninth time in 12 games, 2-1 to Inter Milan on Thursday night in the Italian Cup quarterfinals as Mario Balotelli scored the tiebreaking goal in the 89th minute.
Juventus fans were banned from attending the game at San Siro because of racial taunts directed at Balotelli, who was of Ghanaian descent.
Diego put Juventus in front 10 minutes in with the help of an error by Inter goalkeeper Francesco Toldo, who let the ball pass through his legs. Inter defender Lucio tied the score in the 72nd when he deflected in a free kick from Wesley Sneijder.
Balotelli scored off a rebound of Thiago Motta’s initial shot.
Inter meets Fiorentina in the two-leg semifinals on Feb. 3 and 10, and AS Roma plays Udinese.
The loss increased pressure on Juventus coach Cico Ferrara.
“We’re men. We have families, and it’s not nice what is happening, that they’re talking about (Rafa) Benitez, or (Alberto) Zaccheroni,” Inter coach Jose Mourinho said. “Ferrara deserves respect. Unfortunately Ferrara is going through a period when nobody respects him, but I respect him.”
Juventus fans were banned from attending the game at San Siro because of racial taunts directed at Balotelli, who was of Ghanaian descent.
Diego put Juventus in front 10 minutes in with the help of an error by Inter goalkeeper Francesco Toldo, who let the ball pass through his legs. Inter defender Lucio tied the score in the 72nd when he deflected in a free kick from Wesley Sneijder.
Balotelli scored off a rebound of Thiago Motta’s initial shot.
Inter meets Fiorentina in the two-leg semifinals on Feb. 3 and 10, and AS Roma plays Udinese.
The loss increased pressure on Juventus coach Cico Ferrara.
“We’re men. We have families, and it’s not nice what is happening, that they’re talking about (Rafa) Benitez, or (Alberto) Zaccheroni,” Inter coach Jose Mourinho said. “Ferrara deserves respect. Unfortunately Ferrara is going through a period when nobody respects him, but I respect him.”
