Coppa Italia: Parma perfect Lontani debut, Cagliari beat Arezzo

A star was born for Parma, who beat Catania 2-0 in the Coppa Italia First Round thanks to ex-Milan teenager Simone Lontani’s sensational brace, while Cagliari squeezed past Arezzo 1-0.

The Ducali will go on to face either Cremonese or Sampdoria in the Second Round of the tournament.

Cagliari are going to play either Verona or Virtus Entella.

Coppa Italia wins for Parma and Cagliari

These were the opening fixtures of the 2026/27 Italian football season, as the competition started proper following a brief preliminary round for the Serie C teams.

Lontani was given his first ever professional match at senior level and immediately scored two great goals to give Parma the victory over Catania.

The 18-year-old had come up through the Milan youth academy, but left as a free agent to join Parma in July.

An Italy Under-19 international, he flicked in the finish off the outside of the boot from a knocked down corner after 19 minutes at the Stadio Tardini.

His second goal arrived before half-time, meeting the cross from El Bilal Toure with a smart scissor-kick volley at the back post.

In the other match, Cagliari had a tough time breaking down Arezzo, only winning 1-0 thanks to a penalty.

The Sardinians were unlucky, hitting the upright twice with Yael Trepy and then Alessandro Deiola.

Rodriguez was brought down and Deiola stepped up, seeing his spot-kick saved by Nunziante.

However, it had to be retaken due to encroachment, and he converted at the second time of asking.

The referee had awarded another penalty to Arezzo for Ze Pedro’s foul, but changed his mind after the VAR review because it was Sala who kicked the Cagliari man instead.