Fiorentina sink Parma in Italian Cup

Former Real Madrid star Javier Portillo, shown here in May 2004, gave Florentina a first half lead with a close range header, before Chilean midfielder Jaime Andres Valdes scored with an angled drive.

Fiorentina took a step towards the quarter-finals of the Italian Cup after beating Parma 2-0.

Former Real Madrid star Javier Portillo gave the Florence club a first half lead with a close range header, before Chilean midfielder Jaime Andres Valdes scored with an angled drive.

Fiorentina will now fancy their chances of reaching the last eight when they visit Parma for the second leg of their third round tie in January.

Earlier on Saturday, Davide Di Michele scored twice and then saved a stoppage-time penalty as Udinese fought back bravely to win a nine-goal thriller at Lecce.

Udinese were 3-0 down inside the first 31 minutes, but hauled themselves back from the dead with Di Michele and Antonio Di Natale grabbing two goals apiece for the visitors.

Trailing 5-4, Lecce had the chance to earn a draw when Udinese keeper Samir Handanovic brought down Valeri Bojinov to concede a penalty in stoppage time.

Handanovic was sent off and because Udinese had used all their substitutes, Di Michele went between the posts.

The 28-year-old capped a memorable match by saving Mirko Vucinic's penalty with his outstretched leg to give Udinese victory.

Later Saturday, Palermo host AC Milan.

On Sunday, Cagliari take on Lazio and Inter Milan entertain Bologna.

In Friday's matches, league leaders Juventus were surprisingly beaten 2-0 at Atalanta, crisis-ridden Roma lost 2-1 at home to Siena and Sampdoria won 2-0 at Torino, the only second division side left in the competition.

Midfielder Andrea Lazzari scored a goal in each half for Atalanta, who are anchored to the bottom of Serie A and still looking for their first league win since being promoted.

Two headed goals from Tore Andre Flo gave Siena a narrow victory in the capital. The Norwegian striker struck the winner four minutes from time after Francesco Totti had equalised for the home side.