Roma in Cup semi driving seat

AS Roma’s stunning recent run continued as they beat Udinese 2-0 in the capital to take a commanding lead in their Coppa Italia semi-final.

Goals from Mirko Vucinic and Philippe Mexes settled the first-leg tie in Roma’s favour and took their recent run to 15 wins and three draws in their last 18 matches.

It is a run that has lifted them from just above the relegation zone in Serie A to joint second while they have also progressed in the Europa League and Italian Cup.

They did the damage in the first half with Montenegro forward Vucinic giving them the lead on 12 minutes when he ran onto Daniele De Rossi’s pass to find himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Samir Handanovic and he shot home in off the post.

Five minutes before the interval French defender Mexes doubled the advantage as he headed home a free-kick from David Pizarro.

Having dominated the first period, Roma controlled the second to ease to a comfortable victory.

On Wednesday Diego Milito gave Inter Milan a narrow 1-0 win over Fiorentina at the San Siro.

The second legs will be played on April 14.