Fiorentina beat holders Lazio to move into semis

Romania captain Adrian Mutu scored a brace as Fiorentina beat holders Lazio 3-2 at home in the Italian Cup quarter-finals yesterday. With a place in Europe on offer for the winners, both teams picked a full strength side, a rarity in the much-maligned...

Romania captain Adrian Mutu scored a brace as Fiorentina beat holders Lazio 3-2 at home in the Italian Cup quarter-finals yesterday.

With a place in Europe on offer for the winners, both teams picked a full strength side, a rarity in the much-maligned Coppa Italia.

The hosts were off to a great start as Mutu gave them the lead on nine minutes and they seemed to have one foot in the semi-finals when he doubled their advantage a minute before the break.

Mauro Zarate then pulled a goal back five minutes after the restart.

Dane Per Kroldrup restored the Viola's two-goal advantage on 59 minutes before Tommaso Rocchi ensured a grandstand finish when he reduced the arrears midway through the second period.

Other quarter-finals: Jan. 26 Roma vs Catania; Jan. 27 Milan vs Udinese; Jan. 28 Inter vs Juventus.

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