Marco Giampaolo admits Jamie Vardy is ‘a player of a superior level’ after the goal to beat Udinese, but Cremonese’s Serie A fate is now out of their hands anyway.
UDINE, ITALY – MAY 17: Cremonese supporters during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and US Cremonese at Stadio Friuli on May 17, 2026 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)
For a few minutes this evening, the Grigiorossi had clambered out of the relegation zone and were preparing to steer their way towards safety.
They had secured the 1-0 win away to Udinese and Lecce had conceded the equaliser for 2-2 at Sassuolo.
However, when Nikola Stulic snatched a 96th-minute winner for the Salentini, it was all reversed.
Giampaolo keeps Cremonese focused
UDINE, ITALY – MAY 17: Cremonese manager Marco Giampaolo gestures during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and US Cremonese at Stadio Friuli on May 17, 2026 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)
“Cremonese just needed to focus on our own game, without thinking about what Lecce were doing,” insisted Giampaolo to DAZN Italia.
“My team did their duty, it was a very hard-fought win, so the lads must be proud of performance and result. There is another match to be played, again without thinking about the fact Lecce won at the last minute.”
This means Lecce retain the one-point advantage they had going into this weekend, and it will all be decided in the final round.
UDINE, ITALY – MAY 17: Jamie Vardy of Cremonese in action during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and US Cremonese at Stadio Friuli on May 17, 2026 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)
It is perhaps no coincidence that Cremonese’s worst spell of results in recent weeks were in the absence of Vardy, because since he returned from injury, the former Leicester City star has scored two goals in as many games.
Those back-to-back victories over Pisa and Udinese are keeping their hopes alive.
“Vardy is a great player, he relishes the match situation and wants to be a protagonist,” noted Giampaolo.
“When he accelerates, he’s pushing so hard that he leaves welts in the turf. You realise when you are dealing with a player of a superior level.”
Cremonese know that their fate is not in their hands now, because even if they manage to beat Como in the final round, it might not be enough to avoid relegation.
Even that would be very tricky, seeing as Como are still in the running for a potential Champions League spot.
UDINE, ITALY – MAY 17: Jamie Vardy of Cremonese celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammates during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and US Cremonese at Stadio Friuli on May 17, 2026 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)
“Unfortunately, that is the situation, Lecce have a big advantage in that sense. I have been very clear with my players, we must focus only on our own journey.
“We will play one of the best teams in the league and if we finish in the bottom three, it will be because the other sides deserved to be ahead of us. We’ve got to play to the best of our abilities and then see where we are,” concluded the Cremonese coach.
If Cremonese draw with Como and Lecce lose at home to Genoa, then both teams will be on 35 points and go into a relegation play-out.
