Di Michele is a star at both ends
LECCE, Italy -- Udinese striker David Di Michele scored twice and then, as stand-in goalkeeper, saved an injury-time penalty, as his team came from 3-0 down to beat Lecce 5-4 in a remarkable Italian Cup match.
Lecce looked to have the last 16 first-leg tie all wrapped up after just over half an hour thanks to a penalty from Argentine midfielder Cristian Ledesma, a fine solo strike from Samuele Dalla Bona and then a header from Bulgarian teenager Valeri Bojinov.
But Brazilian Felipe began the fightback for Luciano Spalletti's side with a 34th minute header and Di Michele's remarkable display turned the tables.
His sweet left-foot shot from the edge of the area made it 3-2 at the break and Antonio Di Natale equalized in the 57th minute.
Bojinov restored Lecce's lead but the home team then had defender Massimo Paci sent off for a second bookable offence and Udinese took advantage, pulling level again in the 78th minute when Di Michele pounced on a parried shot from Ghanaian Sulley Ali Muntari.
Di Natale grabbed the winner in the 88th minute, firing home after a scramble in the penalty area but that was not the end of the drama.
Udinese's Slovenian goalkeeper Samir Handanovic was sent off in the final minute, after a foul on Mirko Vucinic. Di Michele took over in goal and ensured victory by blocking Vucinic's spot-kick.
Argentine Hernan Crespo scored his first goal since joining AC Milan last July, in the Serie A champions' 2-1 victory over Palermo. Clarence Seedorf added Milan's second before Luca Toni pulled one back.
Fiorentina moved close to a place in the quarterfinals by winning 2-0 against Parma.
Spanish striker Javier Portillo, on loan from Real Madrid, headed them in front in the 27th minute and Chilean midfielder Jaime Valdes struck in the 79th minute, after good work from the experienced Angelo Di Livio.
