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Gabbiadini gives Napoli advantage in Cup semi-final

Rome (AFP) - Manolo Gabbiadini's second-half equaliser gave Cup holders Napoli a 1-1 draw with Lazio and a slight advantage ahead of their Italian Cup semi-final second leg back in Naples in April.

Gabbiadini's 58th minute goal brought Rafael Benitez' side back on level terms after German veteran Miroslav Klose had given the hosts the lead 12 minutes before half-time in an entertaining clash between the winners of the last three editions of the competition.

Klose had gone close to breaking the deadlock early in the encounter but his shot had come back off the post.

However, the 36-year-old World Cup winning marksman put the ball in the net for the 2013 Cup winners after being set up by Brazilian star Felipe Anderson.

Napoli, winners of the trophy in 2012 as well as last season, stuck doggedly to their task and the lively Gonzalo Higuain set up Gabbiadini who made no mistake.

Thursday sees the other semi-final first leg clash between defending Serie A champions Juventus and Fiorentina -- the two sides beaten by Napoli in their final successes, Juve in 2012 and Fiorentina last term.