Inter beat Empoli 2-0 in Italian Cup

Empoli, Italy:

Adriano and Ivan Cordoba scored as Inter Milan beat Empoli 2-0 in the first leg of the Italian Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday. Zlatan Ibrahimovic slipped the ball upfield through Empoli's defense and Adriano chipped the ball over charging goalkeeper Davide Bassi in the 71st. Adriano's goal was his second in as many games following a nine-month scoring drought. Cordoba, a central defender, came forward to head in Inter's second score in the first minute of injury time. "They made it tough for us in the first half, but we created a lot of chances in the second half and managed to play a good game," Inter coach Roberto Mancini said. "I expected a start like that." It was Inter's first official match since December 23, and the Nerazzurri were slightly off the mark for most of the game. Luis Figo had a goal annulled for offside in the 21st and Patrick Vieira's header in the 41st was cleared off the line by an Empoli defender. Adriano had an open chance from the edge of the goal box but shot wide in the 48th. Five minutes later, Vieira's close-range shot was blocked by Bassi. Forward Davide Matteini had a chance for Empoli in the 60th but his shot from beyond the area sailed wide. Bassi also stopped a header by Ibrahimovic in the 63rd and Adriano headed high in the 69th. A header by Adriano in the 83rd deflected off the post. Inter has won the Italian Cup the past two seasons. The Nerazzurri will be seeking a Serie A-record 12th straight win when they play Torino in the league on Saturday. The other Italian Cup matchups are Sampdoria vs. Chievo Verona, and AS Roma vs. Parma on Wednesday, and AC Milan vs. second-division Arezzo on Thursday. Return legs are scheduled for next week.