Lazio narrowly beat AC Milan at the San Siro in their Coppa Italia quarter-final clash on Tuesday evening.
Lucas Biglia’s first-half penalty proved the difference between the two sides, even after Lazio star Lorik Cana saw red on the stroke of half-time.
A tense opening saw the home side almost cause their own downfall twice in the first 20 minutes.
Ignazio Abate firstly played a poor backpass straight into the path of Lazio’s veteran striker Miroslav Klose, who somehow missed the target.
Jeremy Menez then put Christian Abbiati under pressure in similar circumstances, but the Milan goalkeeper dashed out quickly to spare the Frenchman’s blushes.
The remainder of the half was evenly-matched, with a superb chest and volley by Rossoneri winger Alessio Cerci giving opposing ‘keeper Etrit Berisha something to think about.
Just when it appeared the first period would end all-square, a careless handball by Milan’s Michelangelo Albertazzi gifted Le Aquile a golden opportunity from the spot.
Midfielder Lucas Biglia duly stepped up to send Abbiati the wrong way and seemingly put Lazio into the driving seat.
However, more drama occurred when Lorik Cana received his marching orders for a second bookable offence a minute before the half-time whistle.
Milan dominated the early exchanges after the break without forcing Berisha into a save.
A dangerous burst forward by Abate on 65 minutes was halted near his own goal-line by Diego Novaretti.
That was quickly followed by a disallowed goal from Giampaolo Pazzini, who’d handled prior to unleashing an unstoppable half-volley.
Keita Balde’s low drive from the left edge of the 18-yard box nearly put the tie beyond doubt for Lazio, but the ball cracked off the right-hand post.
There was late controversy when Cerci rightly had a goal ruled out for offside, as Lazio advanced to the Coppa Italia semi-finals.
