Serie B outfit Parma have secured their place in the Coppa Italia Round of 16 after pulling off an impressive 4-2 away victory over top-flight Lecce on Wednesday evening, teeing up an encounter with Fiorentina in the next stage of the competition.
The Serie B league leaders found themselves two goals up within half an hour thanks to a ninth minute opener from Simon Sohm and an impressive effort on the volley from Ange-Yoan Bonny in the 28th.
Lecce looked to turn things around in the second period, introducing Marin Pongracic at half-time, before bringing on first team regulars Pontus Almqvist and Lameck Banda around the hour mark.
Roberto Piccoli looked to start the comeback with his 57th minute strike. Last season’s top scorer Gabriel Strefezza drew Lecce level with 15 minutes of regular time left on the clock.
However, with many expecting an additional half an hour to be played heading into the final stages of the initial 90, Lecce suffered a collapse in injury time, conceding twice after the 94th minute to crash out of the Coppa Italia at the Round of 32.
Lecce substitute Pongracic inadvertently steered the ball into his own net to hand Parma the lead following a low cross into the area from Valentin Mihaila.
Three minutes later, Parma were awarded a penalty, converted by Dennis Man with virtually the final kick of the game.
Parma will now face Fiorentina on Wednesday December 6, currently scheduled for a 20.00 GMT kick-off.