On May 9, 2025, at the Picco stadium, Cremonese delivered a thrilling performance against Spezia, securing a 3-2 victory that guarantees them a spot in the Serie B playoff semi-finals. The match showcased Cremonese's ability to dominate early on, only to endure a tense finish as Spezia mounted a comeback.
The first half was a masterclass in defense and counter-attacking football from Cremonese, who took control of the game from the outset. Coach Stroppa's side was well-prepared, waiting for Spezia to engage in physical play. The grigiorossi struck first in the 13th minute when Barbieri found the back of the net with a stunning strike. Just four minutes later, Paulo Azzi doubled the lead with a precise shot that rattled the crossbar before settling in the net.
As the first half drew to a close, Cremonese capitalized on a defensive lapse from Spezia. With the home side pushing forward in search of a goal, Vandeputte was in the right place at the right time to tap in a loose ball after Gori's ill-timed challenge on De Luca. The first half concluded with Cremonese leading 3-0, leaving Spezia and their fans stunned.
However, the second half saw a dramatic shift in momentum. The turning point came when Bianchetti of Cremonese received a second yellow card for a foul, leaving his team with ten men. This opened the door for Spezia, who quickly took advantage. In the 69th minute, P. Esposito scored with a powerful header, reigniting hope for the home team.
Things got even more intense in the 75th minute when Lapadula converted a penalty after Ravanelli was penalized for a handball. With the score now 3-2, Spezia pushed hard for an equalizer, creating several dangerous opportunities as they pressed for a dramatic comeback.
Despite the late pressure from Spezia, Cremonese's defense held firm, and the visitors managed to secure the win. This victory not only secures their place in the playoffs but also keeps them in contention for a higher seed, as they currently sit fourth in the league standings.
The match also had repercussions beyond the immediate result. With Bianchetti, Johnsen, and Nasti all suspended for the next game, Cremonese will need to adapt quickly as they prepare for their final match against Pisa. Coach Stroppa expressed pride in his team's resilience, saying, "We showed great character today, and even when we were down to ten men, we fought hard to secure the win."
Meanwhile, Spezia's coach D'Angelo lamented the missed opportunities, stating, "We started the second half well, but we couldn't capitalize on our chances. The red card changed everything for us, and we have to learn from this."
In other Serie B action on the same day, Palermo and Catanzaro also secured playoff spots with their respective victories. Palermo defeated Frosinone 2-0, with Brunori scoring both goals, while Catanzaro triumphed over Sassuolo 2-0, with Biasci and Bonini finding the net.
Reggiana managed to stave off relegation with a crucial 2-1 victory against Juve Stabia, thanks to a brace from Girma. The match saw Juve Stabia score late through Adorante, but it wasn't enough to change the outcome.
Cesena kept their playoff hopes alive with a narrow 1-0 win over Cosenza, thanks to a goal from Bastoni in the 12th minute. Meanwhile, Sampdoria secured a vital 1-0 victory against Salernitana, with Meulensteen scoring the decisive goal just before halftime.
In a thrilling encounter, Cittadella came from behind to beat Bari 3-1, with Rabbi, Palmieri, and Pandolfi all scoring for the home side after Bari's Favilli opened the scoring. Mantova also celebrated a 2-1 victory over Carrarese, with Debenedetti netting the winner late in the game.
Finally, in a match that ended in a draw, Modena and Brescia fought to a 2-2 stalemate, with an own goal from Cauz and goals from Caso and Di Pardo for Modena, while Calvani equalized for Brescia in the dying minutes of the game.
The results of this matchday have set the stage for an exciting conclusion to the Serie B season, with playoff spots still up for grabs and relegation battles intensifying. As the teams prepare for their final matches, all eyes will be on Cremonese as they look to build on their momentum and make a deep playoff run.
