Inter Milan advanced to the Coppa Italia semi-finals with a 2-1 victory over Juventus.

Lucio and Balotelli on target in 2-1 win

Inter Milan advanced to the Coppa Italia semi-finals with a 2-1 victory over Juventus. Juve have been struggling in the league of late and had been looking for a win to ease the pressure on manager Ciro Ferrara. They made an ideal start as Diego's 10th-minute shot squirmed past goalkeeper Francesco Toldo. The Nerazzurri responded strongly but their pressure was not rewarded for the remainder of the first half as Juve clung onto their lead. The hosts deservedly equalised when Lucio prodded in Wesley Sneijder's deflected free-kick midway through the second period. Mario Balotelli then sealed a place in the last four with a goal in the 89th minute, turning the ball home after Gianluigi Buffon could only parry Thiago Motta's shot. The Italian champions will meet Fiorentina in next month's two-legged semi-finals with Roma playing Udinese in the other tie.