CREMONA – In a thrilling encounter at the Giovanni Zini Stadium, Cremonese triumphed over Mantova with a score of 4-2, solidifying their position in the playoff race of Serie B. The match, held on April 25, 2025, showcased a fierce rivalry as both teams battled for crucial points in the standings.
The game started with an early shock for the home fans as Mantova took the lead just four minutes in. Redolfi scored from a corner delivered by Burrai, placing a powerful header into the net. Unfortunately for Mantova, Redolfi injured himself in the process and had to be substituted shortly after, with De Maio taking his place.
Cremonese, however, quickly regrouped and found their rhythm. In the 25th minute, Johnsen leveled the score with a well-placed shot after a brilliant assist from Zanimacchia. The first half ended in a 1-1 draw, with both teams having opportunities to take the lead. Cremonese struck the woodwork twice, showcasing their attacking prowess.
As the second half commenced, Cremonese came out with renewed energy. Just two minutes after the break, De Luca scored to put his team ahead. He capitalized on a cross from Barbieri, tapping the ball in from close range. The home side continued to press, and in the 53rd minute, Collocolo extended the lead to 3-1 with a strike from the edge of the area, following a setup by Barbieri.
De Luca wasn’t done yet; he added another goal in the 73rd minute, heading in from a cross delivered by Johnsen, making it 4-1. At this point, it seemed like Cremonese would run away with the match, but Mantova had other ideas.
In a surprising turn of events, Brignani scored a stunning goal from 25 meters out in the 77th minute, bringing the score to 4-2. This goal injected some life back into the game, and Mantova continued to push for more, but it was too little, too late.
Throughout the match, Cremonese demonstrated their attacking capabilities, hitting the crossbar multiple times and maintaining a high level of possession. They finished the game with a remarkable 61% possession rate, reflecting their dominance on the ball.
After the match, Cremonese coach Stroppa expressed satisfaction with his team's performance, particularly their ability to capitalize on chances. He stated, “The important thing is to convert our opportunities. We have a strong attacking philosophy, and today it showed.”
On the other hand, Mantova’s coach Possanzini acknowledged the challenge posed by Cremonese, saying, “We faced a team that plays well and knows how to dominate games. It was a tough match, but we must learn from this experience.”
The win for Cremonese places them firmly in fourth place in the Serie B standings, with 56 points, while Mantova remains in thirteenth with 37 points. The victory is crucial for Cremonese as they aim for promotion, while Mantova continues to fight to secure their place in the league.
Looking ahead, Cremonese will face Sampdoria in their next match, while Mantova will host Cesena, both teams eager to gather points in their respective battles.
As the dust settles on this exciting derby, fans are left buzzing with anticipation for the next round of fixtures in Serie B, where every point counts in the race for promotion and survival.
