ROME - LAZIO claimed a 2-1 advantage over Fiorentina in the first leg of their Italian Cup quarter-final in Rome on Thursday.

Serbian full back Aleksandar Kolarov put Lazio ahead in the 20th minute with a venomous free kick from 30 metres out that deceived Fiorentina keeper Cristiano Lupatelli.

Swiss midfielder Valon Behrami latched on to a long pass and slipped the ball past Lupatelli to double the lead a minute later.

Fiorentina striker Giampaolo Pazzini steered home an Adrian Mutu cross to pull one back for the visitors six minutes before half-time.

The Florence side pressed for an equaliser after the break and Pazzini blasted a great chance over in the 62nd.

Inter drew 2-2 with Juventus at the San Siro on Wednesday, holders AS Roma tied 1-1 with Sampdoria in Genoa and Udinese beat Catania 3-2 at home in the other quarter-final first legs.

The returns take place next week. -- REUTERS