Roma, Lyon and Valencia march onwards
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
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AS Roma lined up a Coppa Italia quarter-final with Juventus after a 3-0 defeat of ACF Fiorentina, while there was also domestic cup joy for Olympique Lyonnais, Valencia CF and RCD Espanyol.
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AS Roma lined up a Coppa Italia quarter-final with Juventus, while there was also domestic cup joy for, among others, AC Chievo Verona, Olympique Lyonnais, Valencia CF and RCD Espanyol.
Erik Lamela scored twice as Roma progressed in the Coppa Italia at the expense of ACF Fiorentina. The hosts, who lost 3-0 to the Viola in December, produced the reverse scoreline with second-half goals by the Argentinian international and Fabio Borini. In the competition's other tie Antonio Di Natale struck his 28th goal in as many home matches but was unable to prevent Udinese Calcio's elimination by Chievo, who stole a 2-1 victory with Cyril Théréau's last-gasp winner.
LOSC Lille Métropole were a goal and a man to the good early on in their French League Cup quarter-final against Lyon, but despite Joe Cole's fifth goal in three matches and Mouhamadou Dabo's 11th-minute dismissal, Rémi Garde's charges hit back through Kim Källström and Lisandro to win 2-1. Joining Lyon and Olympique de Marseille in the last four are FC Lorient – 1-0 winners at Le Mans UC 72 – and OGC Nice, who overcame Dijon FCO 5-3 on penalties.
Álvaro Vázquez scored a late equaliser to earn Espanyol a derby draw with FC Barcelona on Sunday and the 20-year-old's hat-trick helped his side complete another comeback on Wednesday, as they overturned their 2-1 Copa del Rey first-leg deficit to overcome second-tier side Córdoba CF 5-4 on aggregate. Levante UD were also 2-1 down from their first encounter with AD Alcorcón but breezed through their home leg 4-0.
In the late fixture a 2-1 defeat at Sevilla FC was enough for Valencia to edge through to the last eight on away goals. Roberto Soldado's 18th goal of the season gave the visitors breathing space before Ivan Rakitić's effort and Víctor Ruiz's last-minute own goal made for a nervy finale.