Fenerbahce progressed to the Europa League semi-finals after an entertaining 1-1 draw with Lazio at a near empty Roma Stadio Olimpico.

Fenerbahçe SK reached their first ever European semi-final at the expense of a spirited S.S. Lazio side, who exited despite knocking on the door throughout the 1-1 draw at the Stadio Olimpico.

Bosnian Senad Lulić fuelled the home team’s hopes of becoming only the third side to overturn a two-goal first-leg deficit in the UEFA Europa League knockout phase when he struck on the hour. However, Caner Erkin left the Serie A outfit with an impossible task, needing three in the final 17 minutes, when he grabbed an away goal – the Turkish team were home and dry.

Lazio were straight onto the attack with Hernanes curling in a free-kick which Volkan Demirel held on the line with Libor Kozák lurking ominously. Antonio Candreva’s volley flashed over the crossbar as the hosts maintained steady pressure on the visitors, who were content to sit back and defend their 2-0 advantage.

That almost proved a dangerous tactic when a good spell of possession late in the half culminated in Ederson’s angled shot being diverted behind by Goalkeeper Volkan. The goalkeeper later spilled a shot from Hernanes, but gathered just in time as Kozák flew in.

The Czech forward went close to his ninth goal in the competition this season when he flashed a header over from Candreva’s cross as Lazio camped even deeper in the Fenerbahçe half after the break. Another spill from Volkan, this time from Ştefan Radu’s shot, went unpunished before Lulić left him no chance, bringing Lazio back into the tie with a determined header from Candreva’s cross.

Going behind sparked Fenerbahçe into life and they soon all but confirmed their berth in the last four of a European competition for the first time after two previous quarter-final disappointments. Caner Erkin was afforded too much room by the Lazio defence and he was able to thread a shot inside Federico Marchetti’s near post.

Lazio started nervously, gifting the away side an early corner when Michael Ciani’s poor back pass was miscontrolled by Federico Marchetti, but they grew into the game as the first half progressed.

Antonio Candreva was first to fire at the Fenerbahce goal with a tame low shot before Ederson superbly wriggled clear of a few challenges and shot narrowly wide.

Hernanes’ disguised free-kick almost crept over the line when Volkan Demirel spilled the initial effort but the keeper quickly recovered to grab the ball before Kozak tapped in.

Senad Lulic then burst down the left and delivered a clever centre to the onrushing Candreva but the Italian’s shot flew just over the bar.

On the stroke of half-time Ederson found himself in space inside the Fenerbahce area after great work from Hernanes, but his low shot from a tight angle was saved by Demirel’s outstretched legs.

Lazio picked up where they left off in the second half as Kozak immediately came close with a flicked header and it was becoming clear that Demirel was struggling to deal with anything above waist height.

And it was from a cross that the home side made the breakthrough. The excellent Candreva broke down the right and delivered a pinpoint cross which Lulic met with a powerful header.

The goal lifted Lazio’s spirits and they almost added second when Ederson met a looping Lulic cross only to see his header skid harmlessly into Demirel’s hands.

And they were made to pay when Erkin found himself in space inside the Lazio penalty area, dummying to create space before unleashing a fierce shot into the roof of the net.

Lazio were left needing three goals but they struggled to create clear-cut chances, instead resorting to a series of frustrated shots from distance.

Joseph Yobo survived a late scare when his headed clearance lobbed Demirel before bouncing narrowly wide before the game died out into a frenzy of substitutions and niggling fouls.

Lazio continued to chase the game until the full-time whistle but Fenerbahce held on to reach their first European semi-final.

Fenerbahce 1 S.S Lazio 1: Man Of The Match

Antonio Candreva. His wing play and crosses caused the Fenerbahce defence, in particular Volkan Demirel, all sorts of problems. Responsible for creating the opening goal.

S.S Lazio vs Fenerbahce SK UEFA Europe League Quarter-final match player ratings

LAZIO: Marchetti 6, Ciani 6, Biava 6, Cana 6, Radu 6, Candreva 8, Ledesma 6, Hernanes 7, Lulic 7, Ederson 7, Kozak 7. Substitutes: Klose 6, Flocarri 6, Rozzi 6

FENERBAHCE: Demirel 4, Korkmaz 5, Yobo 6, Ziegler 5, Gonul 6, Meireles 6, Cristian 6, Sahin 6, Erkin 6, Kuyt 6, Webo 6. Substitutes: Ucan 6, Topuz 6, Krasic N/A.

[tube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFaxBIaKxPU[/tube]