ROME, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) -- Gervinho struck twice to help Roma beat Napoli 3-2 in the first leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final on Wednesday.

Gervinho netted the winner with three minutes left as he finished a move that involved substitutes Mattia Destro and Alessandro Florenzi with a neat near-post finish.

Roma, who were pushing for a 10th Coppa Italia title, went ahead in the 13th minute thanks to Gervinho's clever finish.

Kevin Strootman doubled the hosts' lead at the 32nd minute with a stunning strike from distance.

But an own goal from Roma goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis in the 47th minute brought Napoli back into the contest and they equalised with 20 minutes left thanks to substitute Dries Mertens, who was introduced just four minutes prior for Marek Hamsik.

Napoli will host Roma at the second leg in one week.