The Rossoneri's hopes of winning a trophy they have claimed just once in the last 32 years were ended last night with Lazio triumphing 2-1 after extra-time at the San Siro to advance to the quarter-finals.

Ancelotti was not too downbeat afterwards and pointed to the 69th-minute dismissal of Brazilian midfielder Emerson as a contributing factor.

"We should not make a drama out of it," said Ancelotti.

"We played with 10 men for more than half an hour after Emerson was sent off.

"My team showed character despite playing with a numerical inferiority."

The Rossoneri took the lead through Andriy Shevchenko but Mauro Zarate equalised from the penalty spot before Goran Pandev struck the winner in the second minute of the extra period.

"It was important Shevchenko was on target," said Ancelotti.

"The Coppa Italia was not our priority, our main aim is Serie A and now we must focus on Sunday's game against Catania.

"Our last two defeats (including last weekend's 3-1 loss at Palermo) should not be a psychological weight on our players but rather give them more determination to do well on Sunday."

Lazio will face the winner of Fiorentina v Torino in the last 16 of the Italian Cup.