Inter Milan 2-1 Parma: Inter need extra time to knock out Gianluigi Buffon's side
- Published
Gianluigi Buffon's Italian Cup career has spanned more than 25 years
Holders Inter Milan needed extra time to get past Gianluigi Buffon's Parma in the Coppa Italia last 16.
Legendary former Italy goalkeeper Buffon, 44, was making his first appearance for the Serie B club since October following a hamstring injury.
Stanko Juric's brilliant 25-yard strike gave Parma the lead but Lautaro Martinez's late deflected goal sent the game to extra time.
Francesco Acerbi headed in the winner following Buffon's punched clearance.
Buffon, who won the cup once during his first spell with Parma and five times with Juventus, made his debut in this tournament 25 years and 129 days ago.
The game would not have even gone to extra time if not for his fine save to deny Edin Dzeko in injury time.
Buffon re-joined his first club Parma in 2021, 20 years after leaving them for Juventus.
"We fought to chase a dream," he wrote on Instagram after the match. "We really gave everything we had but unfortunately it wasn't enough. Losing is always sad but nights like these can only make us realise our real value."