AS Roma thank Mancini for cup lead

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MILAN, Italy -- Brazilian Mancini inspired AS Roma to a 2-1 home win over Parma in the first leg of their Italian Cup quarterfinal on Wednesday.

Roma, losing finalists in the last two seasons, made a slow start but Mancini sparked them into life after 19 minutes when he arrived at the edge of the area, tricked a defender and lobbed the keeper to open the scoring.

The Brazilian then turned provider midway through the second half when he beat a defender and laid the ball on for Francesco Totti to make it 2-0 before Parma's Zlatko Dedic pulled a goal back three minutes from time.

Sampdoria survived being reduced to nine men late on as Luigi Sala's first-half goal gave them a 1-0 home win over Chievo.

Christian Maggio was the first to see red after 80 minutes and Ruben Olivera followed 10 minutes later.

Holders Inter Milan won 2-0 at Empoli in their quarterfinal on Tuesday. Serie B strugglers Arezzo visit AC Milan on Thursday in the last of the first leg matches.

The second legs take place next Wednesday and Thursday.

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