AC Milan Beats Lazio 3-1 To Reach Italian Cup Semi

Milan, Jan 27: AC Milan responded well to an early score from Djibril Cisse and edged Lazio 3-1 to advance to the Italian Cup semifinals on Thursday.

After Cisse put Lazio in front five minutes in at the San Siro, Robinho equalized for Milan in the 15th, Clarence Seedorf put the Rossoneri ahead three minutes later, and second-half substitute Zlatan Ibrahimovic sealed the victory in the 84th.

Aiming for its sixth title in the competition, Milan will next face Serie A leader Juventus, while Napoli meets Siena in the other semifinal.

Defending champion Inter Milan was eliminated by Napoli 2-0, Juventus beat Roma 3-0 and Siena edged Chievo Verona 1-0.

Both Milan and Lazio began with their top strikers -- Ibrahimovic and Miroslav Klose, respectively -- on the bench.

Still, scoring was not a problem early on.

Cisse was left unmarked to volley home from the center of the area, having also scored at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium in the Serie A opener in September.

Robinho also used a volley to find the target, after Alexander Merkel redirected a cross from Ignazio Abate.

Seedorf's goal was a display of skill, with the former Netherlands international dribbling by a defender at the edge of the area before launching a precise shot into the top corner just beyond the reach of outstretched goalkeeper Federico Marchetti.

In the 63rd, Milan protested in vain for a penalty when Dias took a swipe at the head of Mark van Bommel.

Klose replaced Lazio captain Tommaso Rocchi seconds later and Ibrahimovic came on in the 69th for Merkel, who appeared to injure his right knee.

In the 73rd, Milan goalkeeper Marco Amelia tipped a potential equalizer from Cisse over the bar and Urby Emanuelson then sent a throughball to Ibrahimovic, who collected it near midfield, raced in all alone toward the goal and easily beat Marchetti.

Klose's only chance came in added time when the veteran Germany forward missed just wide.