Roma and Udinese draw 1-1 in first-leg semifinal
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-05-12 10:14

Defender Valerio Bertotto scored on a shot from outside the penalty area with five minutes remaining to rally Udinese to a 1-1 draw at AS Roma in a first-leg semifinal of the Italian Cup Wednesday.

Bertotto's goal at Stadio Olimpico equalized after a 37th-minute tally by Roma French defender Philippe Mexes.

Mexes, who transferred from Auxerre this season, headed in from a few meters a curling free kick by Antonio Cassano.

The home draw added to Roma's 10-match winless streak in the Serie A which has dropped the Roman side close to relegation.

Roma fielded several of its regulars ahead of Sunday's crucial Derby with crosstown rival Lazio, a match crucial for both sides in their fight to avoid demotion.

Roma captain Francesco Totti, serving a five-match suspension from Serie A play, played the entire match and joined with Cassano for several entertaining combinations.

Udinese, which plays Sampdoria Sunday in a match likely to decide fourth place and a European Champions League berth, did not use David Marcelo Pizarro, Marek Jankulovski and Vincenzo Iaquinta until the second half.

"Both teams were clearly thinking of Sunday's matches ... the away goal could be decisive for reaching the final," Udinese coach Luciano Spalletti said.

Roma coach Bruno Conti noted that his team "as usual, was unable to defend its lead in the second half."

The second leg will be played at Friuli stadium in Udine on May 19.

The other semifinal between Cagliari and Inter Milan will stage its first leg at Cagliari on Thursday.

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