Inzaghi back for cup test

By Paolo Menicucci

AC Milan striker Filippo Inzaghi could make his first appearance in two months tonight as the opening matches in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals are played.

'Ready to play'
Inzaghi is included in Carlo Ancelotti's squad for Milan's home game against Udinese Calcio and could feature as a substitute after receiving the green light from Marc Martens, the Belgian specialist who operated on his left ankle in November. "He is ready to play and I could give him some minutes against Udinese because he needs to return to full fitness," said Ancelotti. "We want to win the Coppa Italia as we did two years ago, so we are taking this competition seriously."

Zoff's first match
In tonight's other tie, Dino Zoff takes his bow as coach of ACF Fiorentina when they visit AS Roma. "I will use the game to get to know better which formation I should use with the players I have available," said the former Italy trainer. "It is very important for us to progress in the Coppa Italia even if we know that Roma are in good form."

Meeting again
It is the teams' second meeting in four days after Roma won 2-1 in Florence in Serie A on Sunday. The Giallorossi are out of Europe and out of contention for the Scudetto so the significance of the Coppa Italia for Luigi Del Neri's men cannot be overstated. Francesco Totti suffered a slight ankle injury last Sunday and is expected to start from the bench.

Other ties
Tomorrow brings the remaining two first-leg matches as FC Internazionale Milano, unbeaten in all competitions this season, travel to Serie A's bottom club and conquerors of Juventus FC, Atalanta BC, while Cagliari Calcio play host to UC Sampdoria.