Published 2/1/2007 8:28:11 AM by AFP Staff from Rhome

ROME (AFP) - Roma clinched a place in the Italian Cup final for the third successive season after beating AC Milan. A 3-1 semi-final, second leg win at the Olympic stadium for Luciano Spalletti´s side completed a 5-3 aggregate score after their 2-2 draw at the San Siro last week. Brazilian winger Mancini gave Roma an early lead, but Alberto Gilardino quickly levelled for the visitors.

Further goals from Simone Perrotta and David Pizarro saw Roma safely through and saved the blushes of their captain Francesco Totti, who missed a second-half penalty.

Roma will meet either cup holders Inter Milan or Sampdoria in the final. Inter, who have beaten Roma in the last two finals, host Sampdoria on Thursday with Inter leading 3-0 from the first leg.

Brazilian striker Ronaldo, who signed for Milan on Tuesday from Spanish giants Real Madrid, was not at the Olympic stadium but is expected to make his debut in Sunday´s league match away to Ascoli.

Spalletti saluted his players for an impressive display. "It was a great performance because we were up against formidable opponents," he told RAI television.

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti admitted Roma´s third goal effectively killed off the contest. "We played well in the first half but then Pizarro scored at the start of the second half, and that finished the match," he said.

Asked what Ronaldo would bring to his team, Ancelotti replied: "He is an important player and the enthusiasm he has brought with him can only help Milan."

Mancini put Roma ahead in the seventh minute, capitalising on a poorly-struck back pass by veteran defender Alessandro Costacurta to his keeper, Nelson Dida.

Milan equalised nine minutes later. Czech Republic defender Marek Jankulovski threaded a delightful throughball to Gilardino whose right-footed shot hit the roof of the net. Perrotta restored Roma´s lead in the 23rd minute, sweeping home from close range after Dida´s outstretched leg had denied Totti.

Pizarro extended Roma´s advantage a minute after the restart when his low, right-footed drive flashed past Dida´s outstretched fingers. Totti then missed a penalty in the 63rd minute - his fifth penalty miss of the season - but Roma held on to their two-goal cushion to reach the final.

The two-legged final will be played on April 18 and May 9.

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