Coppa Italia: Palermo edge Parma in shootout

Youngster Daniel Martinez had the final say as Palermo beat Parma 5-4 on penalties on Tuesday to reach the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia.

Paraguayan Martinez, 17, struck the winning penalty after Hernan Crespo had his effort saved and Francesco Valiani blazed over for Parma.

Neither team had been able to find the back of the net in regular and extra time, ensuring the game had to be settled from the spot.

Fabrizio Miccoli wasted a chance early on for the hosts at the Stadio Renzo Barbera, when the Palermo captain sent a tame drive straight at goal.

Slovenian Josip Ilicic also went close, forcing a save from Parma goalkeeper Nicola Pavarini with a volley on 18 minutes.

Raffaele Palladino threatened twice for the visitors in the opening half, before Palermo midfielder Giulio Migliaccio went closest to breaking the deadlock when he headed against the bar from a Miccoli free-kick.

Bulgarian front-man Valeri Bojinov shot wide for Parma and substitute Sebastian Giovinco could have scored twice, drawing excellent saves from Palermo goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu.

Argentina attacker Javier Pastore should have snatched a winner for the hosts but spurned two simple chances – one with seven minutes left in regulation and another from close range in the final moments of the extra-time.

Parma’s veteran Argentine striker Crespo and Palermo defender Mattia Cassani missed the opening penalties of the shootout before Valiani fired over the bar for the visitors, leaving teenage substitute Martinez to convert the winning spot-kick and make himself the hero for Palermo.

They will now face the winner of Sampdoria against AC Milan on Wednesday, while in the other half of the draw Napoli meet holders Inter Milan on Wednesday and Roma take on Juventus on Thursday.