Di Michele saves Udinese

A superb 73rd-minute equaliser from David di Michele kept Udinese Calcio's Coppa Italia hopes alive with a 1-1 quarter-final first-leg draw at home to Parma AC.

Coaching change
Udinese, who earlier on Tuesday appointed Giampiero Ventura as their new coach in place of Roy Hodgson, fell behind to a Marco Marchionni goal in the 38th minute. The Parma striker fired home from close range after a goalmouth scramble following a corner.

Excellent skill
But Udinese got back on level terms when Di Michele showed excellent skill inside the area to lose Martin Djetou and fire past Parma's veteran Brazilian goalkeeper Claudio Taffarel. Nine minutes from the end, Udinese's Italian international defender Valerio Bertotto was carried off an a stretcher after suffering a knee injury.

Other ties
AS Roma face Brescia Calcio on Wednesday with Milan AC hosting S.S. Lazio on Thursday in the two other quarter-final games this week. Juventus FC's delayed second round second-leg match against Sampdoria UC is also on Wednesday.