Coppa Italia
Inter, Roma join Milan
Reuters, Milan
Last year's finalists AS Roma and Inter Milan both went through to the quarterfinals of the Italian Cup after completing home wins on Wednesday. Roma enjoyed a 2-0 (4-1 aggregate) victory over Serie B side Triestina while holders Inter defeated Messina 4-0 (5-0 aggregate) to take their place in the last eight. Roma, 2-1 up from the first leg in Trieste, took the lead at the Olympic Stadium when 20-year-old striker Valerio Virga drove home a precise shot from the edge of the area in the 22nd minute. Five minutes later Vincenzo Montella headed in Roma's second to kill off any hopes the visitors had of pulling off a shock. Inter, defending a 1-0 advantage from the first leg, had no trouble against Sicilians Messina. Argentine Nicolas Burdisso headed Roberto Mancini's side in front in the 26th minute, rising well to meet a Luis Figo corner. After Arturo Di Napoli had an effort for Messina disallowed, Mariano Gonzales made it 2-0 for Inter with a straightforward header at the back post after good work from fellow Argentine Santiago Solari. Inter went 3-0 up after the break when Esteban Cambiasso fed Burdisso whose header was cleared off the line only for Marco Andreolli to bundle the ball over the line. Defender Burdisso added his second and Inter's fourth with an almost identical goal to his opener -- soaring above the Messina defence to head in Figo's corner. On Tuesday, AC Milan secured their place in the last eight with a 2-1 win at Serie B club Brescia earning them a 6-3 aggregate victory.
|