Gambian forward scores early as Fabio Grosso’s side return to winning ways in Serie A Matchday 22
Sassuolo finally rediscovered the taste of victory after nearly two months, edging past a struggling Cremonese 1-0 at the Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia on Sunday. An early goal by Alieu Fadera proved enough for Fabio Grosso’s team to secure three crucial points on Matchday 22 of the 2025/26 Serie A season.
The hosts couldn’t have asked for a better start. Just three minutes in, Sassuolo capitalized on a poor rebound by goalkeeper Emil Audero, with Fadera reacting quickest to slot the ball home from close range. It was the perfect opening for the Neroverdi, who had been winless since early December.
Cremonese tried to respond immediately. At the 14th minute, Jamie Vardy took advantage of a defensive mistake by Walukiewicz and fired toward goal, but Andrea Muric was alert and denied the English striker. Misfortune continued to plague Davide Nicola’s side when Michele Collocolo was forced off injured midway through the first half, just days after returning from a long layoff.
Despite the setback, the Grigiorossi kept pushing. Federico Bonazzoli came close from outside the box in the 34th minute, narrowly missing the target, but Sassuolo went into halftime holding their slim lead.
In the second half, Nicola introduced more attacking options, including Johnsen, but Sassuolo remained the more dangerous side. Kristoffer Moro nearly doubled the advantage in the 55th minute after a sharp assist from Armand Laurienté, while Audero was later forced into an excellent save on a Laurienté free kick.
The closing stages saw Cremonese increase the pressure in search of an equalizer, but Sassuolo held firm and even hit the crossbar through substitute Luca Pierini deep into stoppage time. The final whistle confirmed a vital 1-0 win for Grosso’s men, who move up to 26 points in the standings, pulling clear of Cremonese, who remain stuck on 23 and continue a winless run that stretches back to early December.
Sassuolo will be back in action next Saturday away to Pisa, while Cremonese face a daunting home clash against Inter at the Zini Stadium.
Match Report
Sassuolo 1-0 Cremonese
Sassuolo (4-3-3): Muric; Walukiewicz, Idzes, Muharemovic, Doig; Lipani (Thorstvedt 59’), Matic, Koné (Iannoni 83’); Fadera (Berardi 59’), Moro (Pinamonti 71’), Laurienté (Pierini 71’).
Coach: Fabio Grosso
Cremonese (3-5-2): Audero; Terracciano (Folino 81’), Baschirotto, Bianchetti (Faye 81’); Barbieri (Johnsen 46’), Grassi (Floriani Mussolini 67’), Collocolo (Zerbin 23’), Vandeputte, Pezzella; Bonazzoli, Vardy.
Coach: Davide Nicola
Goal: Fadera (3’)
Referee: Collu (Cagliari)
Yellow cards: Barbieri, Laurienté, Pezzella
Corners: Sassuolo 3, Cremonese 5
Stoppage time: 2’ (1st half), 4’ (2nd half)
