Roma hit back to avoid elimination

Roma bounced back from conceding a shock early goal against Serie B strugglers Triestina to win 3-1 yesterday and qualify for the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia.

Roma, who will play Genoa or Catania next, joined Serie A leaders Inter in the last eight after Jose Mourinho's team beat Livorno 1-0 in December.

Triestina were ahead after just five minutes as Luigi Della Rocca converted a penalty after he himself had been fouled by Marco Cassetti.

A shock was on the cards against a weakened Roma, for whom coach Claudio Ranieri rested the likes of centre-back Juan, striker Luca Toni and midfield dynamo Daniele De Rossi.

But Roma drew level on the stroke of half-time as Matteo Brighi shot home following a rebound.

Montenegro forward Mirko Vucinic gave the hosts the lead on the hour after he was set up by French winger Jeremy Menez.

And 10 minutes from time Brazilian flop Julio Baptista sealed the victory direct from a free-kick.

Today: 16.00 Milan vs Novara; 18.30 Genoa vs Catania; 20.45 Juventus vs Napoli. Tomorrow: 16.00 Fiorentina vs Chievo; 18.30 Udinese vs Lumezzane; 21.00 Lazio vs Palermo.