Cremonese 1-2 Lazio
A stoppage-time strike from Noslin completed Lazio’s comeback, keeping their European aspirations alive and pushing Cremonese closer to relegation.
Noslin’s goal in added time sealed Lazio’s turnaround against Cremonese, delivering three vital points for Maurizio Sarri’s side. The Rome-based club continues to chase a European spot, either through winning the Coppa Italia final or by securing seventh place, which could lead to the Conference League if Inter wins that competition. For Cremonese, the situation is dire. The Lombardy side remains four points adrift of Lecce and must now produce near-perfect results to pull off a miracle.
Lazio dominated possession from the start at the Giovanni Zini stadium, but Cremonese were comfortable sitting deep in a 5-3-2 formation to neutralize the visitors’ dangerous wide players. The first clear chance for Lazio came from a set piece, with Provstgaard heading across goal but wide. Crosses were a key weapon for Sarri’s men: first Zaccagni sent one through the area, then Tavares delivered another that Isaksen scuffed badly.
Cremonese struggled to string together long spells of possession or create danger, and suffered a blow when their captain and defensive leader Baschirotto went off injured. But just when they seemed under pressure, they struck first. Half an hour in, Bonazzoli unleashed a shot from outside the box that found the net with the help of Motta, who leaned toward the near post and inadvertently deflected it in. Before the break, Zerbin nearly doubled the lead, but the score remained 1-0.
The odds favored the hosts: every time Cremonese had taken the lead this season, they had earned at least a point. Sarri aimed to break that trend by making two attacking substitutions at halftime: Rovella for Patric and Noslin for Maldini. The response was immediate. Isaksen tested the defense with a volley that was blocked, then Romagnoli headed straight at Audero. But on the third attempt, Lazio got their reward. Nuno Tavares led a brilliant counterattack, dribbling past three opponents before setting up Noslin. The attacker instantly laid the ball into the area for Isaksen, who slotted a placed finish into the top corner to equalize.
Despite the 1-1 score, Cremonese stuck to their deep defensive approach, barely venturing out of their own half. Vardy entered the fray in the 60th minute to provide an outlet and threaten in behind. His presence did spark danger: Pezzella volleyed just wide, and Bondo had a shot saved by Motta to prevent a second Cremonese goal. And when you miss chances, you pay the price. In injury time, Noslin unleashed a right-footed strike into the far post to make it 1-2.
There was no happy ending for Cremona. They remain four points behind Lecce with just nine points left to play for. For the capital side, the win puts them within four points of seventh place, currently held by Atalanta.