Zola keeps his cool

By Paolo Corradini

A late Gianfranco Zola penalty consigned ten-man S.S. Lazio to a 2-1 defeat in their Italian Cup third round, first-leg encounter with Cagliari Calcio at the Sant'Elia.

Langella opener
Cagliari took a first-half lead when striker Antonio Langella jinked past Massimo Oddo and Leonardo José Talamonti before beating goalkeeper Angelo Peruzzi with a powerful shot.

Talamonti dismissed
Holders Lazio rallied in the second half and equalised with an Antonio Filippini header from Paolo Di Canio's cross. But moments later Leonardo Talamonti was sent off and after Cagliari midfield player Edgar Alvarez fell under a challenge from Matias Emanuel Lequi, former Italy international Zola scored the decisive spot-kick.

Inter recovery
In the afternoon's other Coppa Italia encounter, FC Internazionale Milano were forced to come from behind to earn a 3-1 win against Bologna FC, for whom Claudio Bellucci opened the scoring midway through the first half.

Vieri header
Inter are unbeaten in all competitions this season and hit back a minute before half-time through Christian Vieri, who headed in from Sinisa Mihajilovic's corner.

Late rally
Roberto Mancini's side largely controlled possession in the second period and took the lead on 79 minutes when Alvaro Recoba converted a close-range header before Julio Cruz turned in an 87th-minute Giorgios Karagounis cross to seal the victory.