Casale’s disastrous night costs Bologna dearly; Orsolini’s penalty isn’t enough as Vardy delivers his first Serie A brace and Payero punishes once again.
Cremonese produced one of the surprise results of the Serie A season, stunning Bologna 3–1 at the Dall’Ara to earn their first win in a month. For the Rossoblù, it was a golden opportunity wasted — a victory would have brought them within a single point of league leaders Milan and Napoli.
Bologna started aggressively and nearly scored immediately through Orsolini, whose trademark left-foot curler struck the post. But the high tempo left spaces behind, and Cremonese exploited them ruthlessly. Casale had a night to forget: first he kept Payero onside in the buildup to the opener, then moments later miskicked a clearance that Vardy pounced on to make it 2–0.
The double blow briefly stunned Bologna, but Italiano’s side were given a lifeline at the end of the first half when Bianchetti handled the ball in the box. Orsolini buried the penalty with precision to close the gap at 2–1.
Any hopes of a comeback evaporated just minutes after the restart. Substitute Heggem miscommunicated with Ravaglia, allowing Vardy to steal in and slot home his second of the night — the 38-year-old’s first Serie A brace and fourth goal of the season. Bologna wobbled, and Payero almost struck again, denied only by the post. Baschirotto hit the woodwork too — this time on the wrong end — narrowly avoiding an own goal.
The biggest miss of the evening arrived from Terracciano, who somehow launched the ball over the bar from one yard out with an empty net. But Cremonese didn’t need the fourth: Nicola’s side absorbed pressure, relied on Audero’s secure hands, and took home a precious win that revitalizes their campaign.
Bologna, meanwhile, will rue their defensive lapses and poor composure, and must regroup quickly with a challenging run of fixtures ahead.
Match Report
Bologna 1–3 Cremonese
Scorers: 31’ Payero (CRE), 35’ Vardy (CRE), 45+3’ Orsolini (BOL, pen.), 50’ Vardy (CRE)
Bologna (4-2-3-1):
Ravaglia; Zortea (79’ Holm), Casale (46’ Heggem), Lucumì, Miranda; Pobega, Moro; Orsolini (79’ Bernardeschi), Odgaard (75’ Dallinga), Dominguez (46’ Cambiaghi); Castro.
Manager: Italiano
Cremonese (3-5-2):
Audero; Terracciano, Baschirotto, Bianchetti; Barbieri, Payero (66’ Grassi), Bondo (76’ Zerbin), Vandeputte, Pezzella (86’ Folino); Bonazzoli (76’ Sanabria), Vardy.
Manager: Nicola
Referee: Feliciani
Bookings: Pezzella, Terracciano (CRE)
Red Cards: None
