Torino eliminate Fiorentina

Torino defied their miserable league form to qualify for the Italian Cup quarter-finals with a 1-0 win at Fiorentina yesterday.

Striker Rolando Bianchi fired home a Tommaso Vailatti cross in the 19th minute to give coach Walter Novellino his first victory since replacing Gianni De Biasi last week.

Fiorentina, fifth in Serie A, came close to equalising on several occasions and defender Manuel Pasqual headed over with the goal gaping at the end of the first half.

Torino, third from bottom in the league after Saturday's 5-2 defeat at Bologna, will meet Lazio in January's quarter-finals.

Holders Roma were safely through to the quarter-finals after two quick second half goals from Mirko Vucinic saw them ease past Bologna 2-0 at the Olympic Stadium.

The Giallorossi will now face either Serie A leader Inter or Genoa who meet at the San Siro on January 13.

Napoli, Udinese and Sampdoria are already through to the last eight and Juventus complete the last 16 round with a home tie against Catania on January 14.