Marco Storari was the hero as Cagliari beat Trapani on penalties, but Frosinone crash out of the Coppa Italia.
Earlier today, Empoli joined Bologna in crashing out of the competition, as top flight sides fell to lower League opposition.
In the early evening fixture, Sassuolo emerged victorious from the local derby with Modena, and will now face Cagliari in the next round.
The Neroverdi opted not to start with new signing Gregoire Defrel, but Domenico Berardi was deployed from the first minute.
Marco Storari was the hero as Cagliari beat Trapani on penalties, but Frosinone crash out of the Coppa Italia.
Earlier today, Empoli joined Bologna in crashing out of the competition, as top flight sides fell to lower League opposition.
In the early evening fixture, Sassuolo emerged victorious from the local derby with Modena, and will now face Cagliari in the next round.
The Neroverdi opted not to start with new signing Gregoire Defrel, but Domenico Berardi was deployed from the first minute.
Diego Falcinelli opened the scoring on 53 minutes, before substitute Antonio Floro Flores but the result beyond doubt 10 minutes later.
Next round opponents Cagliari had more of a struggle, with the Isolani heading to extra time despite taking the lead at Trapani’s tiny Stadio Polisportivo Provinciale, with a capacity of just 6,776.
Alessandro Deiola nodded in a fine cross from Antonio Balzano, but then the Sardinians conceded a penalty. However, the resulting spot-kick was sent wide of Marco Storari’s post.
It was an ‘Island derby’, and the Sicilian side did level up proceedings just before half-time, when Daniele Doveri gave away another penalty.
Giuseppe Montalto made no mistake on this occasion, and brought his side back into the match. That was to be the end of the regulation goalscoring, as the match headed into extra time.
Gianni Munari was sent off in the second period of extra-time for the away side, but Trapani couldn’t find a way through the Cagliari defence, and the match went to penalties.
Niccolo Gianetti handed the advantage to the lower-league side by missing his effort, but Storari then saved Davide Raffaelo's spot-kick. The former Juventus 'keeper made it two in a row, denying Igor Coronado.
Davide Di Gennaro then converted the deciding penalty, as the Isolani progressed 4-2.
Spezia's visit to newly-promoted Frosinone was hardly a classic, the match heading to penalties after a goalless affair.
Robert Gucher missed the first kick for the home side, after Juande had put the Serie B side ahead in the shoot-out. It looked as though the Ciociari would become the latest top-flight casualty, but on-loan Juventus 'keeper Nicola Leali saved what would have been the decisive kick.
It proved to be in vain, however, as Spezia advanced in the sudden-death kicks.
Palermo overcame Avellino, but were given a fright in the process. Luca Rigoni’s back heel put the Rosanero ahead, but Marcello Trotta equalised for the visitors.
However, with an hour played Robin Quaison restored the Sicilian side’s advantage, and they held on for the victory in front of a crowd of 9,479.
Further north, Atalanta met Lega Pro side Cittadella. Marten de Roon put the hosts in front, the new signing from Sparta Rotterdam immediately endearing himself to his new fans.
German Denis doubled the Orobici’s advantage on 68 minutes, having been picked out in the box by striker partner Mauricio Pinilla. The Chilean got in the act himself with 12 minutes remaining, putting the icing on the cake in a 3-0 victory.
Hellas Verona will meet Pavia in the next round, but did not find things easy against another Lega Pro side, Foggia.
The visitors took the lead throught Miguel Angel Maza on 18 minutes, but Emil Halfredsson levelled things up five minutes later. Second half goals from Luca Toni and Bosko Jankovic gave the Butei the win.
Third Round 15/8/15
Atalanta 3-0 Cittadella
Sassuolo 2-0 Modena
Trapani 1-1 Cagliari (Cagliari win 4-2 on penalties)
Verona 3-1 Foggia
Bologna 0-1 Pavia
Frosinone 0-0 Spezia (Spezia win 6-5 on penalties)
Palermo 2-1 Avellino
Alessandria 1-0 Juve Stabia
Crotone 1-0 Ternana
Empoli 0-1 Vicenza