Roma eke out narrow advantage
Wednesday, February 5, 2003
Article summary
AS Roma won 2-1 against local rivals S.S. Lazio in Wednesday's Italian Cup semi-final first-leg tie.
Article body
AS Roma are a step closer to the Italian Cup final after a 2-1 win against local rivals S.S. Lazio in Wednesday's semi-final first-leg tie in Rome.
Chance of glory
Roma are just ninth in Serie A at present, a full 16 points off the summit, and have lost both of their first two games in the second group stage of the UEFA Champions League so the Coppa Italia looks like their most realistic chance of glory this season.
Lazio narrow deficit
Fabio Capello's side certainly looked hungrier than their great rivals. Antonio Cassano's 13th-minute goal gave Roma the lead and Brazilian midfield player Emerson's 49th-minute goal from all of 30 metres carved out a healthy advantage. However Lazio, the nominal 'hosts' at the Stadio Olimpico, narrowed the deficit eleven minutes before full time thanks to a goal from Italian international Stefano Fiore.
Thursday match
On Thursday night, AC Perugia meet AC Milan in the competition's other semi-final first leg.