Coppa Italia: Castro’s late strike earn Bologna a quarter-final spot

Coppa Italia holders Bologna have reached the last eight of the competition after coming from behind to beat Parma 2-1.

Bologna had to turn it around after Adrian Benedyczak put the visitors ahead, before Jonathan Rowe levelled matters, and Santiago Castro got the winner as they began the defence of their Coppa Italia trophy.

The Rossoblu will face either AC Milan, whom they defeated to earn the title last season, or Lazio in the quarter-finals. 

Bologna went into the clash on the back of a remarkable form that has made them record seven wins and five draws in all competitions until Monday’s surprise home defeat to Cremonese in Serie A.

Federico Ravaglia rushed off his line just six minutes into the game after Adrian Benedyczak went clear on a Lewis Ferguson error. 

They failed to heed the warning, as Parma did score similarly.

 Benedyczak put the visitors ahead after springing the offside trap from the Mathias Lovik through ball and kept his cool to sweep past the on-rushing goalkeeper.

Ravaglia was again called to action by making another save on Benedyczak at the near post, while Giovanni Fabbian just failed to get clean contact on a dangerous cross from six yards.

Bologna then restored parity when Federico Bernardeschi hoofed a ball over the top to surprise Nicolas Trabucchi with the bounce.

Rowe scored his first goal for the club as he fired his first attempt onto the inside of the far post and was even ready to turn in the rebound.

Bologna raised their game after the interval, releasing a series of crosses and shots charged down. They were almost rewarded when 

Jhon Lucumi’s header flashed inches over from a corner.

Parma almost punished Bologna again for pouring forward as Lovik burst down the left and his angled drive skimmed the far post.

Guaita, on his debut, smothered Charalampos Lykogiannis’  snapshot.

While Ciro Immobile made his comeback for the first time since a serious thigh strain in August, it was Castro’s goal that proved to be decisive.

The unmarked Argentina international popped up with the header on an Emil Holm cross from the right and scored from eight yards at the 89th minute.