Friendlies Clubs· Season 2026
Cremonese beat Giana Erminio 4-0 in their first pre-season friendly of 2026/27, with Collocolo, De Luca, Lottici Tessadri and Stückler scoring.
Match Analysis
AI SummaryHow it unfolded
Michele Collocolo opened the scoring after just eight minutes with a well-struck effort from distance that beat Giana goalkeeper Mazza all ends up. The Cremonese midfielder gave the home side an early platform to control proceedings.
Cremonese doubled their lead in the 17th minute. Fellipe Jack delivered a dangerous cross from the left and Massimo De Luca attacked it decisively, powering the ball home to make it 2-0.
The tempo dipped after the first-half cooling break, and Giana Erminio grew into the contest. Forward Muhameti had two clear sights of goal — forcing a save from goalkeeper Agazzi in the 28th minute, then striking the post ten minutes later — as the visitors went closest to scoring before the interval.
Cremonese head coach Marco Giampaolo reshaped his side at half-time, switching from a 3-5-2 to a 4-2-3-1 formation. Alberto Grassi slotted in at centre-back alongside Sebastiano Luperto, while Daniel Stückler operated just behind striker Milan Djuric, with a midfield line of Luka Lordkipanidze and Simone Lottici Tessadri.
The third goal arrived in the 75th minute. Lottici Tessadri, wearing the captain's armband, collected the ball on the edge of the area and unleashed a low drive that wrong-footed substitute goalkeeper Zenti.
Two minutes later, Djuric was fouled in the box to earn a penalty. Stückler stepped up and converted against his former club — the same side for whom he scored his first professional goal — to round off the scoring at 4-0.
The turning point
Collocolo's eighth-minute opener was decisive. The early goal forced Giana Erminio out of their defensive shape earlier than they would have wanted, and Cremonese exploited the space to double their lead inside 17 minutes. Once two goals clear, Giampaolo's side could manage the contest on their terms and rotate freely after the break.
Key performers
- Michele Collocolo (Cremonese) — Broke the deadlock with a fine strike from distance and set the tempo from midfield. Player of the match.
- Massimo De Luca (Cremonese) — Alert movement and a clinical finish for the second goal, showing the instincts that make him a key attacking outlet.
- Simone Lottici Tessadri (Cremonese) — Captained the second-half XI and capped the performance with a crisp third goal from the edge of the box.
- Muhameti (Giana Erminio) — The visitors' most dangerous outlet, hitting the post and forcing a sharp save during Giana's best spell either side of half-time.
By the numbers — interpreted
The 4-0 scoreline and 2-0 half-time lead reflect a contest that Cremonese controlled without ever needing top gear. No cards were issued across the 90 minutes, typical of a pre-season friendly with limited physical edge. The goal-free period between the 17th and 75th minutes — over 55 minutes — shows Giampaolo's extensive half-time rotation (switching formations and personnel) disrupted rhythm, but the final nine-minute burst of two goals underscored the gulf in class between a Serie B and a Serie C side.
What it means
Cremonese departed for their pre-season training camp in Ronzone on 25 July, with their next friendly scheduled against Cittadella on Wednesday 29 July. For Giampaolo, the first run-out offered a clean sheet, four goals from four different scorers, and substantial minutes for the entire squad.
Giana Erminio, preparing for the 2026/27 Serie C season, next face Pergo in Crema. Giana's head coach noted in the post-match press conference: "We had a good run-out. Everyone played 45 minutes and we all came out intact, apart from a small knock. I've seen great spirit from everyone. There are things to sort out, but I'm confident."
Verdict
A routine pre-season workout for Cremonese, who scored early, rotated heavily and finished strongly. The 4-0 margin was a fair reflection of the gap between Serie B and Serie C. Giana Erminio had their moments — Muhameti's two chances showed they can create — but the hosts were never seriously tested.
Match Events
Key match events between Cremonese and Giana Erminio — 4 goals and 0 cards recorded during the match.
Rivalry since 2016
Cremonese vs Giana Erminio Head to Head Results· 4
Cremonese and Giana Erminio have met 4 times — Cremonese won 2, Giana Erminio won 2, with 0 draws. Their rivalry dates back to 2016. A combined 13 goals have been scored across these fixtures, averaging 3.25 per match (9 for the home side, 4 for the visitors). Both teams scored in 2 matches (50%). Over 2.5 goals landed in 3 games (75%), making it a fixture that tends to produce goals. The highest-scoring encounter finished 5–0 in 2024.
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 26 Jul 2026