Inter Milan reaches Italian Cup quarterfinals after Asllani scores direct from corner kick

MILAN (AP) — A much-changed Inter Milan side eased to a 2-0 victory over Udinese in the Italian Cup on Thursday.

Marko Arnautović and Kristjan Asllani netted in the first half to help Inter set up a quarterfinal match against Lazio — the team it routed 6-0 in the league on Monday. Inter coach Simone Inzaghi made eight changes to that side.

The match was briefly halted shortly before halftime when a spectator collapsed in the stands. The fan was immediately treated as the stadium fell into silence and the players looked on, clearly concerned.

A defibrillator had to be used before the fan was carried out on a stretcher to the applause of the San Siro crowd. The fan was reportedly stable in the hospital.

When play resumed after a delay of more than five minutes, the Udinese players still seemed distracted as Asllani’s corner from the left evaded everyone and went in off the far post.

Inter Milan’s Marko Arnautovic, left, and others wait as the match is suspended due to a medical emergency with a fan in the stands during the Italian Cup round of 16 soccer match between Inter Milan and Udinese at San Siro Stadium in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2024. (Spada/LaPresse via AP)

That put Inter 2-0 up as it had broken the deadlock in the 30th minute following an Udinese error. A hideous pass from visiting midfielder Jurgen Ekkelenkamp was straight at Mehdi Taremi and he fed in Arnautović, who slotted into the bottom right corner.

Taremi hit the post in the second half, while Inter also had an early penalty revoked on review.

Teenage defender Mike Aidoo came on two minutes from time for Inter for his professional debut.