ROME, Jan 24 (Reuters) - Lazio striker Paolo Di Canio was sent off in the fifth minute of a 1-1 home draw with holders Inter Milan in their Coppa Italia quarter-final on Tuesday.

Di Canio and Inter defender Nicolas Burdisso were dismissed for fighting in the first-leg tie in Rome.

Inter went in front thanks to two former Lazio players, Giuseppe Favalli crossing perfectly for Dejan Stankovic to turn the ball past keeper Marco Ballotta after 26 minutes.

Hosts Lazio hit back within a minute as midfielder Christian Manfredini charged on to Igli Tare's long ball and lobbed keeper Francesco Toldo, who had advanced a long way off his line.

Tare almost put Lazio ahead before halftime when he unleashed a shot from outside the area that rebounded off the bar.

Inter striker Julio Cruz also went close when he headed the ball over the bar from close range 10 minutes into the second half.

Visiting coach Roberto Mancini sent on Adriano in place of Cruz with 20 minutes to go and the Brazilian striker had an effort blocked by Massimo Oddo.

Both teams wasted good chances late on.

The unmarked Stankovic headed wide at the far post from David Pizarro's cross while Tare nodded over following a Lazio counter attack.

The return leg in Milan is on Feb. 2.