Inter defender Andrea Ranocchia is glad to have gotten into the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia after a dramatic win against Empoli at the San Siro.

Speaking to Italian broadcaster SportMediaset after the match, the 33-year-old expressed how important it was for the team to show their quality and strength of character on an evening that was more difficult than they’ll have expected.

The Nerazzurri went ahead during the first half through Alexis Sanchez, who had come on as a substitute early on for Joaquin Correa, but then fell behind to a resurgent Empoli performance during the second half.

Ranocchia managed to draw his team level and force extra time with a spectacular acrobatic volley as the clock ticked down on the ninety minutes, and Stefano Sensi made it 3-2 to book the Nerazzurri’s passage into a quarter-final clash with either Roma or Lecce.

“I’m happy that we made it past this round,” Ranocchia stated, “which was vitally important. And of course, I’m even happier having scored a goal.”

He went on that “I always try to be ready, but we’re a strong group and we always show it. I am very happy to be part of this team.”

And he called his teammate Sensi, who scored the winner despite links with a loan move away,  a “Wonderful guy and great player. He had a great game and scored a great goal, everyone here appreciates him.”