Mario Balotelli and AC Milan take step toward Coppa Italia final – in pictures

• 

• 

  AC Milan manager Sinisa Mihajlovic sits on the bench prior to the Coppa Italia semi-final first leg against Alessandria. Alessandro Di Marco / EPA

• 

  Mario Balotelli of AC Milan avoids Alessandria’s Gianluca Nicco on Tuesday night during their Coppa Italia contest. Alessandro Di Marco / EPA

• 

  Alessandria’s Simone Branca and AC Milan’s Cristian Zapata vie for the ball during the Coppa Italia on Tuesday night. Alessandro Di Marco / EPA

• 

  AC Milan’s Luiz Adriano clashes with Alessandria’s Cristian Sosa during their Coppa Italia first-leg semi-final. Alessandro Di Marco / EPA

• 

  AC Milan’s Mario Balotelli converts a penalty to score the lone goal in his team’s 1-0 Coppa Italia semi-final first leg victory. Andrea Di Marco / EPA

• 

  Alessandria’s Roberto Sabato challenges AC Milan’s Keisuke Honda on Tuesday night during their Coppa Italia contest. Andrea Di Marco / EPA

• 

  Alessandria players cheer their supporters after the 1-0 Coppa Italia semi-final first leg loss on Tuesday night to AC Milan in Turin. Andrea Di Marco / EPA

Images from AC Milan's 1-0 win over Alessandria in the Coppa Italia (Italian Cup) semi-final first leg on Tuesday night, Mario Balotelli's successful penalty providing the edge.

Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE

Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNationalSport