Milan - Leaders Inter Milan and nearest challengers Roma turn their attention from the Serie A title race to the Italian Cup Wednesday with first-leg semi-final ties against Lazio and Catania, respectively.
Catania are struggling in the lower reaches of the Serie A after a good start to the season and are unlikely to pose a threat on their visit to cup holders Roma.
The Roma side have one less worry after Manchester United eliminated them from the Champions League last week, but will still look to spare energies as they hope to reduce their four-point gap to Inter with five games left.
Among the likely absentees is captain Francesco Totti, who returned at the weekend from an injury layoff and showed good form as his side won 3-1 at Udinese.
Later Wednesday, Inter are also at home for the first leg, but face a tricky task at the Giuseppe Meazza against a Lazio side that held them to a 1-1 draw in late March.
Lazio lie safe in midtable and fielded plenty of reserves at the weekend as Siena snatched a 1-1 draw at the Olimpico.
Lazio also beat city rivals Roma 3-2 in March and are keen on winning a trophy they lifted three times in the past decade.
"Now our concentration must shift to the Italian Cup, which could give the right value to a team that this year have not got what they deserve as far the league standings are concerned," Lazio president Claudio Lotito said.
"It is an important trophy in a season during which Lazio has had many problems."
Inter were finally convincing at the weekend, beating Fiorentina 2-0 to end a glum period.
Their international defender Marco Materazzi may be sidelined with a muscular problem, while Swede star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic continues his recovery from knee troubles.
The return matches are set for May 7, while the final is to be played on May 24 in Rome.
A Serie A game between Juventus and visiting Parma is also set for Wednesday after being cancelled in late March following the death of a Parma fan on his way to the Turin stadium.
Juve lie third, 14 points from the top and virtually secured one of four Champions League berths thanks to a 3-2 win over AC Milan at the weekend.
Parma are far from safe as they lie just one point above the three-team relegation zone. (dpa)
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