Serie A | Parma 0-2 Cremonese: Ideal Giampaolo debut changes relegation battle

Marco Giampaolo had a dream Cremonese debut, dragging Parma right back into the relegation battle with rare Youssef Maleh and Jari Vandeputte goals at the Stadio Tardini.

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The Ducali were still fairly comfortably mid-table, despite just two points from the last three rounds, including a 4-1 defeat to Torino. Enrico Delprato was suspended, with Adrian Bernabé, Benja Cremaschi, Pontus Almqvist and Matija Frigan injured.

Cremonese were increasingly desperate after the 4-1 hammering by Fiorentina left them three points adrift in the drop zone, sacking Davide Nicola. Warren Bondo sat out a ban, with Federico Baschirotto, Michele Collocolo and Faris Moumbagna still sidelined, but Giampaolo moved to a 4-4-2 formation.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Jari Vandeputte sprinted away on the counter from his own half to sting Zion Suzuki’s gloves at the near post, while Federico Bonazzoli’s acrobatic overhead kick flashed over the bar.

Cremonese had the ball in the net on 24 minutes with Bonazzoli tapping in a poor clearance, but it didn’t count as Alessio Zerbin was offside in the build-up.

Mateo Pellegrini drilled the first Parma opportunity just wide, while Bonazzoli’s glancing header was smothered by Suzuki.

Cremonese took the lead when a poor Sasha Britschgi clearance fell to Maleh, who still had plenty to do with a ferocious first-time left-foot strike from 20 metres into the far bottom corner. It was his first Serie A goal since 2021.

They doubled the deserved advantage when Jamie Vardy came off the bench and within minutes provided the decisive assist, rolling across from the left for Vandeputte to run through the centre, taking a touch to then beat the on-rushing Suzuki.

Gabriel Strefezza fired high and wide, but Hans Nicolussi Caviglia’s strike was going on target until deflected inches wide by Sebastiano Luperto’s backside.

Martin Payero should’ve made more from a similar Vardy assist late on, but his first touch let him down. Cremonese’s last victory in Serie A was 2-0 against Lecce on December 7, followed by four draws and 11 defeats.

Parma 0-2 Cremonese

Maleh 54 (C), Vandeputte 68 (C)