JUVENTUS BOOK TICKET TO THE QUARTERFINALS

Milan, Jan. 13: Holders Juventus booked their ticket to the quarter-finals with a 2-0 win at Bologna, with AC Milan going through by the same scoreline after extra time against Sampdoria. Juventus and AC Milan will meet in the Italian Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia next Wednesday.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Paulo Dybala started on the bench for the champions with a view to the game in Jeddah. Juventus eased through with Federico Bernardeschi opening the scoring after nine minutes and Moise Kean adding the second four minutes after the break.

In Genoa, Brazilian international Lucas Paqueta started for Milan after his arrival from Flamengo in a 35-millioneuro ($40 million) deal last week, along with wantaway Argentine Gonzalo Higuain amid speculation he is about to move to Chelsea.

Higuain thought he had scored but was ruled offside. Patrick Cutrone came on as a substitute in extra time with his two superb volleys on 102 and 108 minutes setting up a meeting for last year’s finalists with either Napoli or Sassuolo.

“We need to regain our energy. It will be a big match and one that can help us with our character, it could be a turning point for us,” said AC Milan coach Gennaro Gattuso of next Wednesday’s game.

Napoli host Sassuolo on Sunday while Inter Milan play Benevento in a closed San Siro as punishment for racist chanting against Napoli’s FrancoSenegalese defender Kalidou Koulibaly in a Serie A game on December 26.

Roma entertain thirddivision Virtus Entrella at the Stadio Olimpico on Monday.