Roma send Inter packing to reach cup final

MILAN: Mattia Destro scored twice in a 3-2 win against Inter Milan as Roma booked an Italian Cup final date with bitter rivals Lazio on Wednesday with a 5-3 aggregate success.

Destro had scored Roma's second goal in a 2-1 first leg win at the Olympic Stadium in January to give the Giallorossi hope of a first Cup triumph since 2008.

And the 22-year-old striker maintained his superb Cup form with two more as Roma booked a May 25 date with their neighbours which.

Given a recent spell of trouble between rival supporters from the capital, the final could be a feisty affair.

Inter started positively and fully deserved the opener, Jonathan belying his defensive skills to finish off an impressive display of one-touch football to beat Maarten Stekelenburg in the Roma net.

However, coach Andrea Stramaccioni's joy at his side's goal was to be short-lived.

Destro had tested Samir Handanovic in the Inter goal in the first half and finally beat the goalkeeper 10 minutes after the restart.

Handanovic had even less chance 15 minutes later when Destro tapped home into a virtually empty net from Federico Balzaretti's superb square ball as Roma tore Inter's defence to shreds.

Roma all but secured their final place when Vasilis Torosidis sent a looping shot over Handanovic 16 minutes from the final whistle.

However, Stramaccioni's men never gave up and reduced the arrears through Ricardo Alvarez six minutes later.

Lazio had accounted for Italian champions Juventus in their semi-final 3-2 on aggregate.(AFP)