🇮🇹 Inter survive huge Coppa Italia scare against Buffon's Parma | OneFootball

Holders Inter’s hopes of retaining their Coppa Italia crown remain alive after they survived a huge scare at home to Serie B side Parma on Tuesday night.

Scorers: Martínez 88′, Acerbi 110′; Jurić 38′

The visitors fielded a familiar face between the posts in the form of ex-Italy and Juventus stalwart Gianluigi Buffon, 25 years on from his first appearance in the competition, and he was the quieter of the goalkeepers in the opening half.

In fact, when he departed at the break he was not only protecting a clean sheet but also a win as a stunning strike from substitute Stanko Jurić gave the Ducali a surprise lead by firing into the top corner from 25 yards after a delightful back-heel into his path.

Just as Parma seemed set to be sending the holders packing, World Cup winner Lautaro Martínez popped up with two minutes remaining to level, thrashing a volley in from the edge of the box after a loose clearance fell his way to force extra-time.

And the Nerazzurri went on to make the most of their massive reprieve as Francesco Acerbi picked the perfect time to notch his first Inter goal with a superb strike in the second half of the additional period to win it.

Buffon parried a cross from the left and the onrushing Acerbi met it just inside the box to send a looping header over the veteran goalkeeper and into the corner for the winner.

They will face Atalanta or Spezia in the next round.