AC Milan come from behind to defeat a spirited Lazio to set-up a mouthwatering Coppa Italia semi-final showdown with fierce rivals Juventus.
Italian champions AC Milan came from behind to defeat Lazio 3-1 at the San Siro stadium on Thursday to advance to the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia where they will meet fierce rivals Juventus.
Milan bounced back from an early goal from Djibril Cisse, with first half strikes from Robinho and Clarence Seedorf as well as a late strike from substitute Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The Rossoneri came into the clash having lost only one of their last 11 fixtures, but were in for a major shock when French striker Cisse put the visitors ahead in the 6th minute with a sweetly struck volley past Milan goalkeeper Marco Amelia.
But their lead lasted shortly, as ten minutes later Brazilian international Robinho put Milan on level terms with an absolutely spectacular left-footed volley that found itself in the top corner of the Lazio goal.
Three minutes later Stephan El Shaarawy back-heeled a delightful ball into the path of the onrushing Seedorf, who cut into the area and beat Lazio goalkeeper Federico Marchetti with a powerful curled effort.
Lazio had a final opportunity to draw the game level before the interval, when they were awarded an inviting free-kick. But dead-ball specialist Hernanes saw his attempt on goal superbly kept out by a secure Amelia in the Milan goal.
In the second period the pace of the game slowed down a touch, as while Milan seemed content to hold onto the result, Lazio anticipated minor errors in the Milan defence as a means to find an equaliser.
The introduction of Miroslav Klose appeared to boost the Romans, but immediately upon his arrival the prolific German striker missed a glorious opportunity to score when he had the goal at his mercy.
Lazio were made to rue the missed opportunity, when six minutes from full-time Urby Emanuelson sent Ibrahimovic through on goal with a precise pass, and the Swedish scoring-machine rushed into the area and kept his composure to beat Marchetti with a cool finish to send the Rossoneri into the semi-finals of the competition where they will meet rivals Juventus.
Milan bounced back from an early goal from Djibril Cisse, with first half strikes from Robinho and Clarence Seedorf as well as a late strike from substitute Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The Rossoneri came into the clash having lost only one of their last 11 fixtures, but were in for a major shock when French striker Cisse put the visitors ahead in the 6th minute with a sweetly struck volley past Milan goalkeeper Marco Amelia.
But their lead lasted shortly, as ten minutes later Brazilian international Robinho put Milan on level terms with an absolutely spectacular left-footed volley that found itself in the top corner of the Lazio goal.
Three minutes later Stephan El Shaarawy back-heeled a delightful ball into the path of the onrushing Seedorf, who cut into the area and beat Lazio goalkeeper Federico Marchetti with a powerful curled effort.
Lazio had a final opportunity to draw the game level before the interval, when they were awarded an inviting free-kick. But dead-ball specialist Hernanes saw his attempt on goal superbly kept out by a secure Amelia in the Milan goal.
In the second period the pace of the game slowed down a touch, as while Milan seemed content to hold onto the result, Lazio anticipated minor errors in the Milan defence as a means to find an equaliser.
The introduction of Miroslav Klose appeared to boost the Romans, but immediately upon his arrival the prolific German striker missed a glorious opportunity to score when he had the goal at his mercy.
Lazio were made to rue the missed opportunity, when six minutes from full-time Urby Emanuelson sent Ibrahimovic through on goal with a precise pass, and the Swedish scoring-machine rushed into the area and kept his composure to beat Marchetti with a cool finish to send the Rossoneri into the semi-finals of the competition where they will meet rivals Juventus.
