Both teams create chances, but Audero and Montipò steal the spotlight in a goalless draw. Verona lose Gagliardini to injury early in the first half.
Hellas Verona and Cremonese battled to a 0-0 draw at the Stadio Bentegodi in a match filled with intensity but lacking in finishing quality. Despite several chances at both ends, neither side managed to break the deadlock, with goalkeepers Emil Audero and Lorenzo Montipò delivering standout performances.
The match began with early opportunities for both teams. Bonazzoli forced Montipò into a save with a left-footed shot, while Orban narrowly missed with a powerful strike from distance. In the 15th minute, Verona nearly took the lead when Giovane broke through, but Audero came up big to deny him. Minutes later, Baschirotto produced a crucial defensive header to stop another Verona attack.
Verona were forced into an early change as Gagliardini left the pitch with a shoulder injury, replaced by Akpa Akpro. The hosts continued to push forward, with Giovane and Orban both testing Audero, who remained unbeatable in the first half. Cremonese responded with Sanabria looking for Vandeputte in behind, only to see Montipò anticipate the pass.
The best save of the opening half came in the 41st minute when Audero stopped Bradaric in a one-on-one situation after a rapid Verona counterattack. The teams went into halftime still scoreless.
The second half saw Cremonese introduce Jamie Vardy and Sarmiento, making their debuts, along with Grassi. Giovane again went close for Verona at the 61st minute, but Audero denied him once more. Collocolo fired from distance, forcing a corner, while Vazquez replaced Sanabria to add fresh legs in attack.
As the match entered its final stages, Sarmiento tested Montipò with a powerful shot, but the Verona keeper was equal to it. In the dying moments, Verona had one last chance on the counter, but Audero brilliantly stopped Sarr to preserve the clean sheet.
The final whistle confirmed a goalless draw, with both teams taking a point in a hard-fought battle.
Verona 0-0 Cremonese – Match Report
Scorers: —
HELLAS VERONA (3-4-1-2): Montipò; Nunez, Nelsson, Frese (70’ Bella-Kotchap); Belghali, Serdar, Gagliardini (29’ Akpa Akpro, 79’ Niasse), Bradaric; Bernede (79’ Al-Musrati); Orban (79’ Sarr), Giovane.
Coach: Paolo Zanetti
CREMONESE (3-5-2): Audero; Terracciano, Baschirotto, Bianchetti; Zerbin (86’ Floriani Mussolini), Collocolo, Bondo (59’ Grassi), Vandeputte (59’ Sarmiento), Pezzella; Bonazzoli (59’ Vardy), Sanabria (66’ Vazquez).
Coach: Davide Nicola
Referee: Arena
Booked: Serdar (V), Giovane (V), Collocolo (C)
Sent off: —
