Lazio reached their first European final last night as they held Atletico Madrid to a scoreless draw in the second leg of their UEFA Cup semi-final clash at the Olympic Stadium to claim a 1-0 aggregate victory
In a tense, scrappy match, the visitors rarely looked like penetrating an impressive Lazio defence and failed to hit the target with the few chances they managed to create.
Lazio's Croatian Alen Boksic, who has scored 10 goals in the Italian league this season, looked dangerous up front in the first half, but was denied a clear-cut chance. Czech midfielder Radak Bejbl will rue a 13th minute mis-kick with the goal at his mercy and second half substitute Jose Mari shot wide from six yards in the 60th minute when Italy striker Christian Vieri had put him clean through.
Lazio also had a number of chances to close out the match before the final whistle - captain Diego Fuser flashing a 74th minute shot just wide - but still go to the final as the only club in this year's competition unbeaten in their 10 matches.
In the May 6th decider in Paris they will play Inter Milan in the fourth all-Italian final in nine seasons.
The result in Rome also means that Serie A stays on course for its first grand slam in Europe since 1990.
Juventus take a 4-1 lead to Monaco in tonight's Champions' League semi-final and Vicenza lead Chelsea 1-0 in the Cup Winners' Cup semi-final.
Lazio had to play without suspended Yugoslavian international Vladimir Jugovic, who scored in their 1-0 win in Spain. But Atletico had their own absentees in midfielder Jose Luis Caminero, who has scored three UEFA Cup goals this season, and defender Denia Sanchez.
