Roma Set Up Mouth-Watering Coppa Italia Quarter-Final Clash with Milan

Roma dismantled second-tier Sampdoria 4-1 on Wednesday evening to set up a blockbuster Coppa Italia quarter-final tie against Milan. In the meantime, unforgiving Atalanta humbled Cesena 6-1 to book a last-eight date against Bologna.

Already out of the Scudetto race, Roma may see the Coppa Italia as the only way to avoid another trophyless season. Claudio Ranieri’s effort to get the Giallorossi back on track is gaining momentum. However, the veteran’s short-term project in the capital is still a work in progress.

In contrast to Roma, Lazio are enjoying a dream campaign. Despite slumping to a dreadful 6-0 home defeat to Inter on Monday, they remain firmly embroiled in an intense top-four battle in Serie A. But, Inter’s rout has significantly derailed their chances of conquering the division.

Last weekend, Lazio thumped Napoli 3-1 at the Stadio Olimpico to become the first Coppa Italia quarter-finalist. Marco Baroni’s team will face the winner of the upcoming last-16 tie between defending Serie A champions Inter and perennial strugglers Udinese.

Simone Inzaghi’s side won consecutive Coppa Italia titles before last season’s last-16 fiasco against Bologna. They’re odds-on favorites to better that result this term as they host Udinese at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza later this evening.

Elsewhere, Juventus will take on Empoli. Thiago Motta’s charges eased past Cagliari 4-0 on Tuesday to maintain their pursuit of a record-extending 16th Coppa Italia title. The Bianconeri lifted the crown last season but haven’t won back-to-back since 2018.