Sampdoria took command of their Coppa Italia semi-final against Inter Milan by winning their home leg 3-0.

Pazzini nets twice in first leg of Coppa Italia semi-final

Sampdoria took command of their Coppa Italia semi-final against Inter Milan by winning their home leg 3-0. Sampdoria have slowly improved after a poor start to the season and they went into the clash full of confidence after a six-game unbeaten run in the league. It took just nine minutes for Samp to open the scoring through Antonio Cassano and Giampaolo Pazzini then made it 2-0 in the 30th minute. Pazzini struck again three minutes before half-time to further stun Jose Mourinho's side. Daniele Gastaldello was sent off for a second bookable offence on the hour mark but Sampdoria held on with ten men to secure victory. Inter will now have to mount a magnificent comeback in the second leg to advance to the final. Lazio came from behind to beat Juventus 2-1 in the first leg of their semi-final on Tuesday evening.