AS Roma's defense of the Italian Cup ended in a 2-1 loss to Inter Milan in the quarterfinals yesterday.

Jose Mourinho's team will next meet Sampdoria, which defeated Udinese 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

Adriano took advantage of confusion in the Roma defense to shoot low past Roma goalkeeper Artur in the 10th minute.

In the second half Rodrigo Taddei equalized with a powerful shot off a loose ball in the Inter area on the hour.

Two minutes later though, Inter was back in front when Zlatan Ibrahimovic tapped a loose ball into an unguarded net.

Earlier, Daniele Gastaldello scored the winner for Sampdoria after Simone Pepe missed Udinese's third penalty of the shootout.

After a nervous first half in Genoa, both sides opened up after halftime and Sampdoria took the lead when new signing Giampaolo Pazzini scored in the 55th minute.

Italy international Antonio di Natale then brought Udinese level with a penalty in the 63rd, but he missed a second chance with one minute left in regulation that would have won the match.

Neither team was able to create any chances in extra time.

Lazio hosts Torino in the third quarterfinal today, while Napoli and Juventus play on Feb. 4.

The two-leg semifinals will be played on March 4 and April 22.

(Agencies via Shanghai Daily January 22, 2009)