Lazio earn first-leg lead

S.S. Lazio took command of the semi-final of the Coppa Italia with a 2-1 away win against holders and Serie A leaders AC Milan at the San Siro this evening.

Bizarre goal
The visitors were in control of the match from the outset, and took the lead after just 30 seconds as a mistake from Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati – who was making a rare start in place of Dida – allowed Lazio to go ahead. Abbiati failed to clear a back-pass from Danish defender Martin Laursen, kicking the ball against Stefano Fiore and could only watch helplessly as the ball rebounded into the empty net.

Couto pounces
Jon Dahl Tomasson almost equalised as his header forced a good save from Lazio goalkeeper Matteo Sereni, before Roberto Mancini's side doubled their lead in the 36th minute. Milan failed to clear a corner and Bernardo Corradi's low shot through a crowded area was turned in from close range by Portuguese international defender Fernando Couto.

Scoring return
Milan halved the deficit on the stroke of half-time as striker Filippo Inzaghi, returning after a month out with injury, produced a trademark finish. The Italian international collected a Dario Šimic pass inside the penalty area, turned his marker and steered his shot into the net.

Goalless second half
However, Carlo Ancelotti's team were unable to find an equaliser in the second 45 minutes, and it was Lazio who came closest to restoring their two-goal lead as former Milan midfield player Demetrio Albertini's first-time strike from 25 metres rebounded off a post. The capital club are well-placed to progress to the final, with the second leg taking place in Rome next Wednesday.

Inter advantage
In the first leg of the other semi-final on Wednesday night, two goals from Brazilian striker Adriano earned FC Internazionale a 2-2 draw in Turin against Juventus FC. Italian international forward Marco Di Vaio twice equalised for the champions.