The Malta Independent 19 April 2024, Friday
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Milan rout Alessandria 5-0 to reach Italian Cup final

Associated Press Wednesday, 2 March 2016, 06:41 Last update: about 9 years ago

Milan cruised into the Italian Cup final following a 5-0 rout of third-division Alessandria on Tuesday.

Jeremy Menez and Alessio Romagnoli each scored twice and Mario Balotelli also found the target as the Rossoneri advanced 6-0 on aggregate following a penalty from Balotelli in the opening leg.

Menez set the tone when he beat the offside trap to put Milan ahead seven minutes in at the San Siro. Romagnoli doubled the lead from close range following a corner and Menez was left virtually uncontested to make it 3-0 before the break.

Romagnoli added another late in the second half that had to be validated with goal-line technology before Balotelli scored in the final seconds.

Menez was making his first start after a long injury layoff while Romagnoli collected his first goals in a Milan shirt.

"This was one of the goals for this season, so we're pleased that we've reached the final," said Milan's 38-year-old goalkeeper Christian Abbiati, who played on the Milan team that last won the cup in 2003.

Juventus takes a 3-0 lead into the other semifinal at Inter Milan on Wednesday.

The single-leg final is scheduled for May.

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