Inter Milan upsets Lazio, advances to Italian Cup semis
(Canadian Press)
Updated: 2006-02-03 10:15

Inter Milan beat Lazio 1-0 on Thursday and became the only club of Italy's big three to reach the Italian Cup semifinals.

Former Lazio midfielder Dejan Stankovic converted a powerful drive in the 37th minute.

Inter Milan's Dejan Stankovic of Serbia and Montenegro, left, celebrates after scoring against Lazio with his teammate Kily Gonzalez of Argentina during Italian Cup return leg, quarterfinal soccer match at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Thursday, Feb.2, 2006. [AP]

Inter advanced on 2-1 aggregate following a 1-1 first leg in Rome.

In the semifinals, Inter will face Udinese, which eliminated Sampdoria on Wednesday. Palermo will meet AS Roma in the other semifinal, scheduled for March 22 and April 12.

Palermo eliminated AC Milan, and Juventus was ousted by Roma. Inter, Milan and Juventus are the perennial favorites in Italy.

Inter coach Roberto Mancini is aiming for his 10th Italian Cup title, having won the trophy six times as a player and three as a coach. Mancini won the title last year in his first season with Inter.

Inter looked sure to go ahead in the 21st minute when Adriano had only goalkeeper Marco Ballotta to beat but he somehow shot wide after Ballotta fell.

Goalkeeper Francesco Toldo preserved Inter's lead with two excellent saves on shots by Stefano Mauri, tipping the ball over the bar in the 54th minute, and coming up with a reflex save off a close-range attempt by the midfielder in the 69th minute.