AC Milan cruised into the Italian Cup final following a 5-0 rout of third-division Alessandria Tuesday. Jeremy Menez and Alessio Romagnoli each scored twice and Mario Balotelli also found the target as the Rossoneri advanced 6-0 on aggregate following a penalty from Balotelli in the opening leg. Menez set the tone when he beat the offside trap to put Milan ahead seven minutes in at the San Siro. Romagnoli doubled the lead from close range following a corner and Menez was left virtually uncontested to make it 3-0 before the break. Romagnoli added another late in the second half that had to be validated with goal-line technology before Balotelli scored in the final seconds. Menez was making his first start after a long injury layoff while Romagnoli collected his first goals in a Milan shirt. Juventus takes a 3-0 lead into the other semifinal at Inter Milan Wednesday. The single-leg final is scheduled for May. Atletico moves closer to Barca Atletico Madrid easily defeated Real Sociedad 3-0 Tuesday to put some pressure on Spanish league leader Barcelona. Atletico opened the scoring with an own goal by defender Diego Reyes in the eighth minute and midfielder Saul Niguez added to the lead in the 46th. French striker Antoine Griezmann sealed the victory by converting a 61st-minute penalty at Vicente Calderon Stadium. The win moves Atletico within five points of Barcelona, which plays at struggling Rayo Vallecano Thursday to close out the 27th round. Atletico opened a seven-point advantage over third-place Real Madrid, which plays at last-place Levante Wednesday. It was the fourth win for Atletico in its last five league games, and the ninth at home this season. Simeone's team hasn't conceded a goal in its last five matches. In the other game, Las Palmas moved further away from the relegation zone with a convincing 4-0 home win over Getafe. — Agencies
