Inter Milan hit six past Benevento at ghostly San Siro

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‍Antonio Candreva and Lautaro Martinez scored two goals apiece as Inter Milan thumped Benevento 6-2 on Sunday in a Coppa Italia match played behind closed doors following racist insults aimed at Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly last month.

Inter raced to a two-goal lead in less than 10 minutes against their Serie B opponents when Mauro Icardi converted a penalty and Candreva fired home the rebound after an Icardi header struck the post.

Antonio Candreva of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Coppa Italia match between Inter Milan and Benevento Calcio at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in Milan, Italy, January 13, 2019. /VCG Photo

Dalbert blasted the third just before halftime in the round of 16 tie, the Brazilian's first goal for Inter since his move from Nice 18 months ago.

Argentine forward Martinez added two more in the second half and Candreva completed the scoring while Roberto Insigne and Filippo Bandinelli replied for the visitors.

Roberto Insigne of Benevento Calcio scores his goal during the Coppa Italia match between FC Inter Milan and Benevento Calcio at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in Milan, Italy, January 13, 2019. /VCG Photo

Inter were ordered to play two matches behind closed doors after a group of fans insulted Senegal defender Koulibaly with racist chants and animal noises during a Serie A match.

There was a ghostly atmosphere at the huge San Siro as shouting from the players and coaching staff echoed around the arena.

Marcelo Brozovic of FC Inter Milan takes a corner kick during the Coppa Italia match between FC Inter Milan and Benevento Calcio at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in Milan, Italy, January 13, 2019. /VCG Photo

"I didn't like it, it didn't feel like a real match," said Inter coach Luciano Spalletti.

"This is not sport or the kind of spectacle we want to see. If we talk about football being a spectacle, it is because of the fans who come to the stadium and enjoy themselves.

"We don't want to be in a stadium when it like this."

Earlier, two late goals from Federico Chiesa gave Fiorentina a 2-0 win at Torino.

Source(s): Reuters