ROME: AS Roma quickly renewed acquaintances with Inter Milan but this time won 2-1 at the Stadio Olimpico to seize the advantage in their Italian Cup semi-final first-leg on Wednesday.

The hosts, who drew 1-1 at home with Inter in the league on Sunday, raced into a 2-0 lead after Alessandro Florenzi rose highest to head in after 13 minutes and striker Mattia Destro also nodded in a cross just after the half hour.

Rodrigo Palacio pulled one back for Inter a minute before the break when he escaped the offside trap and turned in Esteban Cambiasso’s free kick with the home defence all at sea.

Inter are fourth in Serie A and Roma seventh but Zdenek Zeman’s side created the better chances and just about deserved to take a lead into the second leg as they target a cup triumph to guarantee access to next season’s Europa League.