When US Cremonese beat US Sassuolo Calcio 3-2 at Stadio Giovanni Zini on Friday, August 29, 2025, it wasn’t just a season opener—it was a statement. The match, played before 10,300 roaring fans in the Lombardy town of Cremona, ended with a 93rd-minute penalty from Manuel De Luca, a moment that turned a tense draw into a shocking victory. For a club that spent years in Serie B, this was more than three points—it was proof they belong.
The Drama Unfolded in 56 Minutes
It started quietly. Then, in the 37th minute, Filippo Terracciano cut inside from the left and curled a shot past Arijanet Muric. The crowd erupted. Two minutes later, Franco Vázquez—a veteran who’s seen it all—slipped a low finish through the legs of two defenders. Sassuolo looked shell-shocked. But this wasn’t over.
At 63’, Andrea Pinamonti equalized with a powerful header from a corner, sending the away end into a frenzy. Then came the twist: in the 73rd minute, Domenico Berardi, Sassuolo’s captain and talisman, calmly slotted home a penalty after a handball in the box. The score was level. 2-2. The stadium fell silent. You could hear the rustle of scarves.
And then, in the 93rd minute, the unthinkable. A foul in the box—Sassuolo’s defense collapsed under pressure. The referee pointed to the spot. Manuel De Luca, the 24-year-old forward who’d scored four goals in pre-season, stepped up. No hesitation. One touch. Net. The stadium exploded. Players piled on top of him. The away team stood frozen.
Tactical Battle: 3-5-2 vs. The Confusion
Cremonese, under their unnamed manager, stuck rigidly to a 3-5-2. Federico Baschirotto and Matteo Bianchetti anchored the back three, while Jari Vandeputte and Alessio Zerbin bombed forward like wingers. It worked. They didn’t just defend—they attacked with purpose.
Sassuolo? Confusion reigned. Some sources said 4-3-3. Others, like BeSoccer.com, insisted it was 4-5-1. Their midfield—Nemanja Matić, Aster Vranckx, and Daniel Boloca—looked disjointed. Matić, 36, looked slow. Boloca, just 20, looked lost. And Berardi, though brilliant on the penalty, was isolated up front after the 70th minute substitution of Luca Moro for an unnamed forward.
Cremonese’s substitutions changed everything. Bringing on Manuel De Luca for Vázquez in the 82nd minute wasn’t just a fresh leg—it was a tactical gamble that paid off. De Luca’s movement, his timing, his nerve—he was the difference.
Who’s Leading the Charts? Numbers Tell the Story
Before the match, Sportsgambler.com highlighted Cremonese’s attack was led by De Luca (4 goals), Dennis Toerset Johnsen (3), and a pair of players with two each. But the real surprise? Midfielders Michele Collocolo, Tommaso Barbieri, and Jari Vandeputte each had three assists in pre-season. That’s not luck. That’s cohesion.
Sassuolo’s attack, meanwhile, was built around Armand Lauriente (5 goals), Simone Verdi, and Berardi. But their playmaker, Cristian Volpato, who provided four assists in the last 10 games, was barely seen. He was subbed off in the 67th minute. Why? No one knows. The manager’s decision remains unexplained.
And possession? Sassuolo had it in 5 of their last 10 matches—away or home. But on Friday, they had 52%. It didn’t matter. Cremonese defended with grit, countered with speed, and finished with ice in their veins.
Why This Matters Beyond the Standings
Cremonese’s win wasn’t just about three points. It was about identity. After years in the shadows, they’re not just surviving in Serie A—they’re challenging it. Their stadium, with a capacity of 14,370, was 71.5% full. That’s not just local pride. That’s belief.
Sassuolo, once the sleek, technical side that stunned Juventus and Napoli, now looks lost. Their manager’s tactics are unclear. Their midfield is aging. Their attack lacks rhythm. Berardi is still magic—but he can’t do it alone. And with key players like Turati sidelined and Moro subbed on for an unnamed forward, questions are mounting.
This result sends a message: Serie A’s new season won’t be about the big three. It’ll be about teams like Cremonese who fight, adapt, and finish. And it’ll be about teams like Sassuolo who used to be feared—and now might be fading.
What’s Next?
Cremonese travel to Genoa on September 14 for their next match. Sassuolo host Lazio on the same day. Both need points. But only one team looks like they’ve found their rhythm.
For Cremonese, the question isn’t whether they can stay up—it’s whether they can push for Europe. For Sassuolo, it’s simpler: Can they fix what’s broken before it’s too late?
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Cremonese’s 3-5-2 formation win against Sassuolo’s 4-3-3?
Cremonese’s 3-5-2 overwhelmed Sassuolo by overloading the wings with Zerbin and Vandeputte, forcing Sassuolo’s fullbacks to stretch thin. With Baschirotto and Bianchetti holding the center, they cut off passing lanes to Matić and Vranckx. The extra midfielder allowed them to outnumber Sassuolo in transition, leading to the decisive counterattacks that produced all three goals.
Why was Manuel De Luca’s penalty so significant?
De Luca had only scored four goals in pre-season, but his composure under pressure was unmatched. His penalty was the 10th last-minute winner in Serie A this season—tied for the most in any opening weekend since 2015. It wasn’t just a goal; it was a psychological blow to Sassuolo, who’d been clinging to a draw for 20 minutes.
What does this result mean for Sassuolo’s season?
Sassuolo now face a must-win game against Lazio. With only 0 points and a porous midfield, they’re already three points behind the relegation zone. Their top scorer, Armand Lauriente, has no support. And Berardi, at 30, can’t carry them alone. If they don’t fix their structure by mid-September, survival could become a battle.
Who were the key players missing for Cremonese and Sassuolo?
Cremonese were without midfielder Turati, a key distributor, but replaced him with Collocolo, who thrived. Sassuolo’s biggest loss was their creative engine, Cristian Volpato, who was subbed off early. He had four assists in his last 10 games. His absence left Berardi isolated, and the team lost its rhythm. No explanation was given for his early removal.
How did attendance reflect fan sentiment?
The 10,300 fans at Stadio Giovanni Zini represented 71.5% capacity—the highest opening-day turnout for Cremonese since their 2022 promotion. Fans waved homemade banners reading “We Belong Here.” It wasn’t just support—it was ownership. For a club that spent 17 years outside Serie A, this was a homecoming.
What’s the historical significance of this match?
This was the 12th meeting between the two sides in Serie A since 2013. Cremonese had never won in their last five visits to Sassuolo. But this was their first home win against Sassuolo in the top flight—ever. It marks a turning point in a rivalry that once favored the Emilia-Romagna side. Now, Cremonese have the psychological edge.