Lazio beats Milan, moves closer to final

Simon Evans, Reuters, Milan, Italy

Lazio gave itself a strong chance of reaching the Italian Cup final after beating holder AC Milan 2-1 at the San Siro stadium in their semi-final, first leg on Thursday.

The result ended Milan's run of eight straight wins in league and cup and with a goal lead and two away goals in the bag, Lazio will fancy their chances of making it through next Wednesday's second leg in Rome.

Juventus and Inter Milan drew 2-2 in Turin in the other semi- final played on Wednesday.

Lazio took the lead after just 30 seconds thanks to a dreadful error from Milan keeper Christian Abbiati.

Abbiati, making a rare start in place of regular keeper Dida, made a hash of a backpass from Martin Laursen and his attempted clearance struck Stefano Fiore and ricocheted into the back of the net.

Milan's in-form Danish striker Jon Dahl Tomasson had a header tipped round the post by Lazio keeper Matteo Sereni but the visitors continued to enjoy the better of the game and went close to a second when a Fiore header flashed over the bar.

Roberto Mancini's side doubled their advantage in the 36th minute when Milan failed to clear a corner and Bernardo Corradi's low shot through a crowded area was turned in from close range by Portuguese defender Fernando Couto.

On the stroke of halftime Milan got back in the game when striker Filippo Inzaghi, returning after a month out with injury, steered home a low pass from Dario Simic with a trademark finish.

The goal set up the second half perfectly, offering Milan a real incentive to attack the Romans but, shortly after the restart, they were almost two goals down again when their former midfielder Demetrio Albertini hit the post with a first-time strike from 25 metres.

European champions Milan had rested several key players with Brazilian Kaka starting on the bench and top scorer Andriy Shevchenko rested.

Their lack of sharpness up front and creativity in midfield reduced their chances of getting back on level terms in a disappointing second half, watched by just 10,907 fans.