Coppa Italia wrap: Roma win sets up Juve showdown

Roma defeated Fiorentina 3-0 on Wednesday to book an enticing quarter-final tie with Juventus in the Coppa Italia.

Erik Lamela gave the hosts the lead eight minutes into the second half at the Stadio Olimpico, and the Argentine doubled his side’s advantage on 66 minutes.

Fabio Borini increased the margin with a third goal after some poor defending from the away side in the 73rd minute.

The round-of-16 match started at a slow pace, but Fiorentina gradually began to craft early chances.

Adem Ljajic squandered two great opportunities to put the visitors ahead, scooping one shot over the bar and forcing a decent save from Maarten Stekelenburg with the other.

Fiorentina were unlucky to not take the lead when Cicinho made two great blocks to prevent first Riccardo Montolivo and then Stevan Jovetic during a goalmouth scramble.

The warning shots apparently served to rouse Roma, who responded through Lamela.

The attacking midfielder sent Francesco Totti through on goal, but the veteran was only capable of forcing a good save from Murara Neto.

A disappointing Federico Viviani was withdrawn at the interval, to be replaced replaced by Simone Perrotta, and the substitution paid immediate dividends.

Totti tore into the box to reach Perrotta’s knockdown, and although the Roma skipper was unable to get the ball under control, it broke to Lamela, who kept his cool to send a shot through Neto’s legs.

After Fiorentina had several good chances, Roma duly killed off the game as another substitute, with Totti again providing the ball for Lamela to complete a simple finish.

It was largely carelessness from Fiorentina that resulted in a third goal.

A poor pass from Neto went straight to Borini, who ran into the box and promptly punished his opponent’s sloppiness by netting a third.

With Fiorentina vanquished, Luis Enrique’s men advance to face Serie A leaders Juventus in the quarter-finals.

Also on Wednesday, Cyril Thereau’s 90th-minute winner saw Chievo Verona dump out Udinese 2-1 away from home.

Visitors Chievo had led through Paolo Sammarco’s early goal, but Udinese talisman Antonio Di Natale looked to have rescued his team when he levelled with six minutes to go.

But Thereau struck to embarrass the hosts, and send Chievo through to a quarter-final against Siena.