Milan ousted from Italian Cup

Published Jan. 27, 2010 10:31 p.m. ET

foxsports

Udinese ousted AC Milan from the Italian Cup quarterfinals with a 1-0 win at San Siro on Wednesday.

Gokhan Inler struck in the 56th minute, but both sides were guilty of wasting numerous chances to score.

In the semifinals, Udinese will play the winner of Thursday's match between Inter Milan and Juventus.

"I would say that it was an important match for us," Udinese coach Gianni De Biasi said. "We wanted to play well and we did, creating many chances. I'm pleased with how we played.

"When you aren't doing well every mistake seems to count and affects confidence. Tonight was different. You saw a team at the top of its game and playing well."

After a slow opening 20 minutes, Antonio Di Natale had the first chance. Alexis Sanchez broke down the right and pulled the ball back to Di Natale, but Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati pushed his shot wide.

A minute later, Giovanni Pasquale hit a long ball over the Milan defense, Di Natale shot from a tight angle, but again Abbiati was equal to the shot.

In the 25th, Udinese squandered a great opportunity. Gaetano D'Agostino found Sanchez with a long ball and whilst he beat Abbiati his shot hit the outside of the post.

Marek Jankulovski and Matheiu Flamini then forced Udinese goalkeeper Samir Handanovic into sharp stops in the 27th and 29th.

Di Natale went close from the edge of the area twice more and Antonio Floro Flores wasted a close-range effort, to leave the match scoreless at halftime.

Udinese took the lead 11 minutes into the second half. Sanchez caught Luca Antonini in possession on the edge of the area and pulled the ball back for Inler, who shot low inside the far post.

In the closing minutes Jankulovski had a fantastic chance to equalize, but blasted his volley wide from close range.