MADRID — Copa del Rey leader Atletico Madrid edged towards a possible semifinal meeting with neighbors Real Madrid with 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao in their quarterfinal, first leg at the Vicente Calderon Thursday. Uruguayan defender Diego Godin powered home the only goal of the game four minutes before half-time as he rose highest to meet Koke's cross from the right. The host also had the better of the chances after the break, but failed to force Iago Herrerin into a serious save as it had to settle for a slender lead to take to Bilbao for the second leg next Wednesday. Both managers named strong sides for what was expected to be the most keenly contested of the quarterfinal ties and so it proved in a game of limited opportunities. Adrian Lopez had the first clear-cut opening of the game when he fired into Herrerin's legs five minutes before the break. However, Diego Simeone's men only had to wait 60 seconds more to open the scoring as Koke's wicked cross got the thunderous finish it deserved from Godin. Atletico also ended the second period with a flourish, but couldn't find the vital second goal as after Herrerin had smothered Raul Garcia's tame header, Toby Alderweireld volleyed wide another fine Koke cross in stoppage time. Real Madrid already looks well set for the last four after winning its quarterfinal, first leg 1-0 away at Espanyol Tuesday. Meanwhile, on the other side of the draw, Barcelona and Real Sociedad are likely to meet in the semifinals after comfortable victories over Levante and Racing Santander, respectively, Wednesday. Fiorentina beats Siena Fiorentina ground out a 2-1 victory over second-division side Siena to reach the Italian Cup semifinals Thursday. Marvin Compper headed home a corner 15 minutes from time to book Fiorentina a two-leg tie against Udinese, which beat AC Milan Wednesday. Josip Ilicic gave Fiorentina the lead in the 20th minute, shrugging off his marker to control a ball before slotting under diving Siena goalkeeper Simone Farelli. Guillermo Giacomazzi leveled on the hour mark with a glancing header from Francesco Valiani's free kick. Siena almost equalized immediately after Fiorentina's opener but Neto pulled off a fantastic save to fingertip Michele Paolucci's effort away from his top left corner Neto pulled off another good save in stoppage time to keep out Alessandro Rosina's swerving strike. Roma, which ousted Juventus 1-0, will meet either Napoli or holder Lazio following their tie on Jan. 29. — Agencies
