Juventus Survive Late Scare To Reach Italian Cup Semis
ROME (Reuters) - Juventus survived a late rally from Atalanta to reach the Italian Cup semifinals as they set up an attractive tie with AC Milan.
The Turin giants lost 2-1 on the night but went through 5-4 on aggregate thanks to the cushion of a 4-2 win in the home leg.
Juve could have gone behind as early as the fourth minute when Gianni Comandini was hauled down in the area by France international Lilian Thuram.
But Italy midfielder Cristian Doni's penalty hit the post and the referee did not order it to be re-taken despite serious encroachment by the Juve players.
Eight minutes later Juventus took the lead and seemed to have killed the game off as Christian Zenoni's cross was picked up by Marcelo Zalayeta who fired into the far corner.
Atalanta lacked the invention to break down an experienced Juve side and Joao Inacio Pia missed an open goal when Atalanta created a rare chance.
But he made up for it 18 minutes from the end, crossing from the left for youth team player Rolando Bianchi to tap in.
Three minutes later Pia fired in Comandini's cross to give the home side the lead on the night and set up a grandstand finish.
But Juve held out to secure a showdown with AC Milan -- 5-3 winners on aggregate over Lazio after Wednesday's second leg -- and spoil Atalanta coach Giovanni Vavassori's 50th birthday.
Brescia face Parma in the other semifinal with the first legs of both matches taking place on January 23.
