Fiorentina beat Lazio to reach Cup semis

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

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 La 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.

The other three last eight ties will all be played next week with Inter Milan against Juventus at the San Siro the pick of the games.