Del Piero double eases Juventus pain

Juve coach Ciro Ferrara had presided over four defeats in five games but looks safe in his job for now after a victory sealed by two second-half goals from the little-used Alessandro Del Piero, the second a penalty.

The first goal was the main talking point, however, with Brazilian playmaker Diego, a major flop since his big close-season move from Werder Bremen, netted on 24 minutes despite Napoli's Jesus Datolo lying injured on the floor.

The in-form visitors furiously protested but the strike stood.

Juve face a quarter-final this month against Serie A leaders Inter Milan, who progressed in December with a 1-0 win over Livorno.

Mathieu Flamini earlier spared AC Milan's blushes by netting the winner nine minutes from time in a 2-1 last-16 victory over third tier Novara.

Striker Filippo Inzaghi, now 36 and often a substitute under manager Leonardo this season, had reminded Milan of his worth with a 12th-minute opener and other fine touches.

A second-string Milan side allowed Pablo Gonzalez to score just after the break but the hosts prevailed when Flamini's powerful strike set up a meeting with Udinese or Lumezzane, who play on Thursday.

Catania's Gianvinto Plasmati scored twice early on in a 2-1 win at nine-man Genoa and AS Roma beat second division Triestina 3-1 on Tuesday.

Holders Lazio are at home to Palermo in the last 16 on Thursday.