Cremonese cruised past nine-man Pisa with a dominant 3-0 victory on Serie A Matchday 36, fueled by goals from Jamie Vardy, Federico Bonazzoli, and David Okereke.
Cremonese delivered one of their most important performances of the season on Sunday, defeating Pisa 3-0 and moving within one point of Lecce in the Serie A survival race.
The turning point came early at the Stadio Giovanni Zini when Pisa defender Bozhinov was sent off in the 23rd minute after receiving a second yellow card. From that moment on, Cremonese took full control of the contest and never allowed the visitors back into the game.
Despite the numerical advantage, the breakthrough did not arrive immediately. Pisa initially managed to keep the score level, but in the 31st minute Jamie Vardy reacted quickest to a loose ball inside the area and fired home with a first-time left-footed finish to make it 1-0.
The veteran striker’s goal settled Cremonese, who continued to create chances before halftime through Bonazzoli and Youssef Maleh, though the second goal remained elusive until early in the second half.
Cremonese doubled their lead in the 51st minute when Federico Bonazzoli finished confidently to effectively put the match out of reach.
Pisa’s afternoon went from bad to worse shortly afterward. Midfielder Loyola received a straight red card for a reckless high challenge on Giuseppe Pezzella, forcing the Cremonese defender to leave the field injured and leaving Pisa with only nine men.
With the outcome no longer in doubt, Cremonese managed the game comfortably while continuing to dominate possession and territory.
Substitute David Okereke completed the rout in the 86th minute, dribbling past Hojholt before slotting a low finish into the bottom corner for the final 3-0 scoreline.
The victory gives Cremonese renewed hope in the relegation battle heading into the final two rounds of the season, while Pisa endured a disastrous afternoon marked by indiscipline and defensive struggles.
Match Report
Cremonese 3-0 Pisa
Scorers:
31’ Vardy (Cremonese), 51’ Bonazzoli (Cremonese), 86’ Okereke (Cremonese)
Cremonese (4-4-2)
Audero; Terracciano, Luperto (85’ Folino), Bianchetti, Pezzella (59’ Zerbin); Vandeputte (72’ Okereke), Maleh, Grassi, Barbieri (59’ Thorsby); Vardy (72’ Sanabria), Bonazzoli
Head Coach: Marco Giampaolo
Pisa (3-5-2)
Semper; Canestrelli, Caracciolo, Bozhinov; Touré, Ainsanmiro (72’ Piccinini), Loyola, Vural (65’ Hojholt), Leris (37’ Angori); Stojilkovic (65’ Meister), Moreo (37’ Calabresi)
Head Coach: Henrik Hiljemark
Referee: Ayroldi
Yellow Cards: Calabresi
Red Cards: Bozhinov, Loyola
