Dejan Stankovic added another wonder goal to his growing collection as Inter won 1-0 at Roma in the Italian Cup semi-final, first leg last night.

The holders are in pole position to progress following the second leg at the San Siro in three weeks’ time.

And it was all thanks to the veteran midfielder Stankovic, who hit a shot to rival his volley from the halfway line against Schalke 04 earlier this month.

Inter had the ball in the net early doors but it was rightly chalked off for a foul.

Stankovic ran onto a lofted ball forward which both Roma centre-back Juan and goalkeeper Doni also went for. Stankovic gave Juan the slightest of nudges, resulting in the defender and keeper colliding and allowing the Serbian to strike home the loose ball, but despite his protests he hadn’t fooled the referee.

Roma should have been in front on nine minutes as the recalled Marco Borriello teed up Mirko Vucinic but the Montenegro forward somehow failed to hit the target from inside the six yard box.

Inter were producing the more effective work and Doni had to be alert to save a Lucio header.

Roma also survived a penalty appeal when Stankovic’s pass clipped Daniele De Rossi’s hand, but nothing was given.

However, the Inter midfielder then struck on the stroke of half-time with a stunning half-volley from almost 30 yards with the outside of his right boot that curled around Doni and into the top corner.

Roma failed to muster much of a fightback after the break, particularly after Borriello was forced off with an injury, leaving them without a natural number nine.