Fiorentina beats Pisa 3-0 to book Coppa Italia last-16 tie with Napoli

Fiorentina put their Coppa Italia second-round tie to bed with a commanding 3-0 win over Serie B side Pisa, securing a place in the round of 16. The Viola will now take on Napoli in the next phase, returning the Tuscan club to the knockout mix of a competition they have lifted six times in their history.

• Pedro Gonçalves scored Fiorentina's third in stoppage time to finish the 3-0 win.
• Wilfried Gnonto doubled the lead in the 71st minute and Mateo Pellegrino opened the scoring after 40.
• Napoli will be Fiorentina's opponent in the Coppa Italia round of 16.
• Paolo Vanoli has won both games since taking over following Fabio Grosso's dismissal.
• Franco Mastantuono, booked early and taken off on the hour, came into the match after a Serie A hat-trick against Venezia.

How Fiorentina's 3-0 Coppa Italia win over Pisa unfolded

The game started to turn in Fiorentina's favour shortly before the break. Mateo Pellegrino pounced in the 40th minute to break the deadlock and reward a Viola side that had controlled possession without turning it into clear chances. The goal opened the game up and left the Serie B team facing an uphill battle for the entire second half.

Wilfried Gnonto effectively sealed the tie in the 71st minute, making it 2-0 and removing any lingering doubt about the outcome. With the match already settled, Pedro Gonçalves added a third in stoppage time to round off a comfortable evening in which Fiorentina did not need to push their most important players to the limit.

Mastantuono goes from Serie A hat-trick to Coppa Italia rotation

Franco Mastantuono arrived at the cup tie on the back of a standout performance on Friday in Serie A, when he scored three goals in the 4-2 away win at Venezia. Against Pisa, Vanoli chose to manage his minutes. The Argentine picked up an early yellow card and was withdrawn on the hour with the tie already under control and no need to take risks.

His development in Florence has become one of the main storylines behind the team's change in momentum. The young attacking midfielder, on loan from Real Madrid, is adding minutes, goals and confidence in a system where his movement between the lines and his ability to arrive in the box fit naturally into Vanoli's direct style.

Fiorentina vs Napoli in the round of 16: what's at stake

The draw has already paired Fiorentina with Napoli in the round of 16. For the Tuscan side, getting through that round would keep them in contention for a Coppa Italia title, a trophy they have won six times and in which they have historically been competitive. Napoli, for their part, will look to justify their status as favourites in a single-legged tie that leaves little room for error.

Vanoli's instant impact at Fiorentina

Paolo Vanoli took over following Fabio Grosso's dismissal and his impact has been undeniable so far: two matches, two wins. The cup victory over Pisa followed a similarly convincing Serie A win away at Venezia. The team is playing with renewed energy, defending with more structure and constantly finding danger through quick transitions.

Vanoli's immediate challenge will be to maintain that momentum through a congested schedule, with the Napoli tie on the horizon and the need to climb the league table after an uneven start that cost his predecessor the job.

Genoa edge past Südtirol thanks to late Johan Vásquez winner

In the other cup tie of the day, Genoa suffered more than expected to knock out Serie B side Südtirol. The scoreline remained level until the closing stages, when Johan Vásquez finally broke the deadlock with a goal in the 87th minute. The Mexican had only come on in the 80th minute and, just seven minutes into his appearance, scored the decisive 1-0 that sent Genoa through.