Quick Read
- Roma defeated Cremonese 3-1 at the Giovanni Zini Stadium, provisionally moving top of Serie A.
- Goals came from Matías Soulé, Evan Ferguson (his first Serie A goal), and Wesley Franca for Roma.
- Cremonese’s Francesco Folino scored a late consolation goal in stoppage time.
- Roma’s manager Gian Piero Gasperini was sent off during the second half for protesting a decision.
- Ferguson returned from injury, marking a personal milestone after joining Roma on loan from Brighton.
Roma Outclasses Cremonese to Seize Serie A Leadership
On a brisk November afternoon in Cremona, AS Roma delivered a statement win that reverberated well beyond the confines of the Giovanni Zini Stadium. Their 3-1 triumph over Cremonese wasn’t just about three points—it was a showcase of tactical sophistication, resilience amid adversity, and the emergence of new heroes in the capital club’s ranks.
Early Nerves, Then Ruthless Efficiency
The match began with both sides probing cautiously, each aware of the stakes. Cremonese, newly promoted but eager to prove they belong among Italy’s elite, started with intent. Their approach, under Davide Nicola, prioritized defensive order and rapid vertical attacks. Jamie Vardy, the veteran English striker, lurked as a constant threat, though early on he struggled to find his rhythm, caught offside twice within ten minutes (VAVEL).
Roma, meanwhile, fielded a slightly patched-up lineup. Injuries to key figures like Paulo Dybala, Artem Dovbyk, and Mario Hermoso forced Gian Piero Gasperini to make tactical adjustments, including handing 20-year-old Jan Ziolkowski a start in defense (Chiesa di Totti). The first real flashpoint came when Federico Bonazzoli broke free for Cremonese, only for Roma’s keeper Mile Svilar to produce a crucial kick save, a moment that seemed to jolt Roma into life.
From there, Roma shifted gears. Matías Soulé, lively and inventive, found space just outside the box, settled the ball, and unleashed a left-footed drive past Emil Audero to open the scoring in the 18th minute (BBC Sport). The goal was a cold shower for Cremonese, who until that point had matched Roma’s intensity.
Drama, Disallowed Goals, and VAR Intrigue
The rest of the first half saw momentum swing back and forth. Roma thought they had doubled their lead when Lorenzo Pellegrini pounced on a rebound, but a razor-thin offside—confirmed by VAR—wiped out the celebration. Moments later, Cremonese nearly equalized: a scramble in Roma’s box saw the ball bounce off Svilar, up his body, and onto the crossbar, only for Çelik to clear at the last instant. The margins were fine, the tension palpable.
Just before halftime, Cremonese were awarded a penalty for a supposed handball, only for VAR to again intervene and overturn the decision. Roma, who had gradually asserted control over possession and tempo, entered the break with a slender 1-0 lead—fully earned, yet still fragile.
Second-Half Surge and Ferguson’s Redemption
After the interval, Roma’s tactical fluidity came to the fore. Gasperini, pushing for a definitive result, made bold attacking substitutions within the first 15 minutes: Neil El Aynaoui, Evan Ferguson, and Stephan El Shaarawy all entered the fray. The switch paid immediate dividends. In the 66th minute, Ferguson—recently returned from an ankle injury and searching for his first Serie A goal—found himself at the end of a chaotic sequence in the box. His calm finish into the bottom corner not only doubled Roma’s lead but also marked a personal milestone for the Irish striker, who had struggled for form and fitness since joining on loan from Brighton (BBC Sport).
Roma’s third goal was a masterclass in combination play. Wesley, the Brazilian defender, finished off a flowing move that began with El Shaarawy and Ferguson weaving through Cremonese’s midfield, culminating in a precise diagonal ball that allowed Wesley to chip Audero with composure. It was a quintessential Gasperini goal: direct, incisive, and ruthless.
Cremonese’s Late Consolation and Final Whistle
With the match firmly in Roma’s grasp, Cremonese continued to fight, earning a consolation goal deep into stoppage time through Francesco Folino—a precise header from a corner that briefly lifted the spirits of the home fans. But the outcome had long been decided. Roma managed the closing stages expertly, even as Gasperini watched from the stands after being sent off for protesting a free kick decision. The visitors left no doubt: they dictated the tempo, pressed high, and demonstrated a level of cohesion that had been sporadic earlier in the season.
The Stakes and What’s Next
This win sent Roma provisionally top of Serie A, pending Inter Milan’s result against AC Milan later that day. For Cremonese, the defeat was a reality check but not a disaster; they remain safely above the relegation zone, continuing to adapt to the demands of top-flight football.
Roma, meanwhile, are entering a critical stretch. With the Europa League and domestic matches piling up, their depth and tactical flexibility—so evident in this win—will be tested further. The return to form of players like Ferguson, and the continued rise of young talents like Soulé and Wesley, offer optimism for supporters eager to see their team challenge for silverware.
The Giovanni Zini Stadium, packed and passionate, provided the perfect backdrop for a match that encapsulated everything Serie A is known for: intensity, drama, and flashes of brilliance. Both teams, though on different trajectories, showed why Italian football remains as compelling as ever.
Roma’s performance in Cremona was a vivid reminder of how quickly fortunes can shift in football. Tactical adaptability, squad depth, and moments of individual brilliance—especially from emerging players—were the difference makers. As the title race intensifies, Roma’s ability to combine resilience with attacking flair could define their season, while Cremonese’s spirit hints at more surprises to come.