AC Milan made hard work of their Coppa Italia last-16 tie against Novara, but Alexandre Pato proved the hero.
Pato's extra-time winner books quarter-final place
AC Milan made hard work of their Coppa Italia last-16 tie against Novara, but Alexandre Pato proved the hero with an extra-time winner at the San Siro.
The Brazilian, who last week snubbed a move to Paris Saint Germain to mean his club could not sign Carlos Tevez, scored 10 minutes into the first extra period to avoid an upset.
Novara, who sit bottom of the Serie A table, had equalised in the 88th minute through Ivan Radovanovic after Stephan El Shaarawi had given Milan a 24th minute lead.
Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri rested stars such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva and Mark van Bommel in the bid to reach the quarter-finals and it resulted in a close contest.
Injury
Alexander Merkel started after being thrust straight into the team despite only re-joining the club from Genoa 24 hours earlier.
The opening goal came just before the half hour as El Shaarawy turned inside a defender and then thumped a shot from distance beyond Alberto Fontana.
But having hardly created anything all night, Novara equalised when Radovanovic cracked in a free-kick from long range.
In extra-time, substitute Robinho dinked the ball past the defence and Pato chipped Fontana before volleying home.
Milan finished with 10 men and under pressure after Pato limped off injured.
