Coppa Italia: Parma need penalties to eliminate Spezia | OneFootball

Parma needed a penalty shoot-out to get the better of Spezia in the Coppa Italia following a 2-2 draw, and will face Bologna in the Round of 16.

New Ducali coach Carlos Cuesta has struggled so far, as the first round 2-0 win over Pescara was his only victory, followed by two draws in four Serie A games.

He made changes when hosting Serie B side Spezia at the Stadio Tardini in this second round tie, breaking through with a Sascha Britschgi strike from outside the box into the bottom corner.

ITALY – SEPTEMBER 24: Sascha Britschgi scores the opening goal during the Coppa Italia match between Parma Calcio and Spezia at Ennio Tardini on September 24, 2025 in Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Parma Calcio 1913 via Getty Images)

Giuseppe Aurelio drew Spezia level on the Luca Vignali assist, before Mateo Pellegrini nodded in the Adrian Benedyczak corner to restore the advantage moments later, despite wearing a protective helmet following a head injury.

However, Elia Plicco saw red for a crunching tackle on Antonio Candela, allowing Spezia to get back into it with veteran striker Gianluca Lapadula.

It ended 2-2, and as there is no extra time in the Coppa Italia, the teams went straight to a penalty shoot-out.

ITALY – SEPTEMBER 24: Carlos Cuesta head coach during the Coppa Italia match between Parma Calcio and Spezia at Ennio Tardini on September 24, 2025 in Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Parma Calcio 1913 via Getty Images)

Spezia saw the first kick parried and never recovered, as Lapadula then fired his spot-kick over the bar.

Alessandro Circati’s penalty was also saved for Parma, but they held on to go through.

Parma 2-2 Spezia (4-3 on pens)

Britschgi 26 (P), Aurelio 44 (S), Pellegrino 45 (P), Lapadula 82 (S)

Sent off: Plicco 76 (P)

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