With the score level at 2-2 after 90 minutes, defender Andrea Ranocchia proved the hero for the San Siro side as he nodded home a corner in the last minute of extra-time to send Inter into the competition's semi-finals.

Inter appeared on the way to a comfortable win after a Fredy Guarin rocket and a Rodrigo Palacio effort from 25 yards put Andrea Stramaccioni's side 2-0 ahead.

However the seven-time Coppa Italia winners capitulated in the game's final ten minutes, firstly allowing Alessandro Diamanti to give Bologna hope from an 81st-minute free-kick before Manolo Gabbiadini struck three minutes later to send the game into extra time.

After the frantic finish to the game the pace dropped off considerably in the added 30 minutes, with both sides seemingly content with penalties before Ranocchia popped up in the final minute to give his side a thrilling victory.

Inter will now face either Roma or Fiorentina in the final four, with the two sides to face each other on Wednesday, while Juventus and Lazio will fight out the other semi-final clash.