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Gervinho scores only goal as Roma edge past Juventus in Coppa Italia

Gervinho’s late strike saw Roma advance to the Coppa Italia semi-finals after a narrow 1-0 home win against Serie A leaders Juventus.

The ex-Arsenal winger acrobatically volleyed in the only goal after a sweeping break to see off Juve at the Stadio Olimpico.

In a game of few chances, Roma survived an early red-card appeal when Mehdi Benatia pulled down Sebastian Giovinco.

The victory sets up a two-legged semi-final with either Napoli or Lazio.

Juventus started without key players such as former Manchester United pair Paul Pogba and Carlos Tevez, but Roma captain Francesco Totti believes the victory demonstrated how closely matched the sides are.

Despite this Cup success, Roma have only won three of their last 22 meetings with their rivals in Serie A.

It also restores a measure of pride for Romawho suffered a 3-0 to Juventus earlier in January and now trail the Bianconeri by eight points at the top of Serie A.

Roma have dropped off the pace in the Italian top-flight after a record 10 successive victories at the start of the season took them five points clear at the top.

In the other quarter-finals, AC Milan will look to continue their winning start under their former player and new manager Clarence Seedorf against Udinese on Wednesday, while Siena and Fiorentina meet in a Tuscan derby on Thursday.

Should Lazio beat Napoli on Wednesday 29 January it would set up a repeat of last year’s final in which they beat city rivals Roma though Senad Lulic’s goal.