News Focus
- Jamie Vardy scores the only goal as Cremonese secure a 1-0 victory away at Udinese
- The win briefly lifts Cremonese out of the relegation zone before Lecce’s late winner flips the standings
- Coach Marco Giampaolo describes Vardy as a ‘superior level’ player who tears up the pitch with his power
- Cremonese sit one point behind Lecce and must beat Como on the final day while hoping Genoa defeat Lecce
- A draw for Cremonese combined with a Lecce defeat would see both teams finish on 35 points, forcing a relegation play-out
Marco Giampaolo has hailed Jamie Vardy as a world-class forward after the striker’s goal secured a vital 1-0 victory for US Cremonese against Udinese. The result keeps the club’s survival hopes alive heading into the final weekend of the Serie A season.
The Grigiorossi briefly climbed out of the relegation zone on Saturday evening following their away triumph. However, their joy turned to despair when Lecce snatched a 96th-minute winner against Sassuolo. This result leaves Cremonese one point behind their rivals with only one match remaining.
Giampaolo insists his side must focus only on their own performance. “We must think about our own journey,” the manager told DAZN Italia. “My players did their duty. It was a difficult match, so the lads should feel proud. We have one more game to play.”
The former Leicester City star has proven crucial since returning from injury. Vardy has found the net in consecutive matches against Pisa and Udinese, delivering back-to-back wins that keep the team within reach of safety.
“Vardy is a great player. He loves big moments and wants to be the star,” Giampaolo explained. “When he sprints, he tears up the turf with his power. You know immediately you are watching a footballer of superior quality.”
Survival now requires a perfect final day combined with help from elsewhere. Cremonese must defeat Como, who are still chasing a Champions League spot, while hoping Genoa beat Lecce. Should Cremonese draw while Lecce lose, both clubs would finish level on 35 points and face a relegation play-out.
“Lecce hold a big advantage,” Giampaolo admitted. “We face one of the best sides in the league. If we go down, it will be because others deserved to stay up more than us. We will give everything and see what happens.”