Cremonese fans are pinching themselves. After years of bouncing between Italy’s top two divisions, the Grigiorossi are suddenly looking like one of the stories of the season.
Back in May, they edged out Spezia 3-2 on aggregate in the Serie B play-off final to secure their return to Serie A. That alone was enough to make the wine flow in Cremona. But what’s followed has been nothing short of extraordinary.
A change of manager set the tone. Giovanni Stroppa, who guided Cremonese back to the big time, decided to stay in Serie B with Venezia. In his place, the club turned to Davide Nicola – a man known for pulling off survival miracles with Torino, Crotone and Salernitana. This time, though, Nicola hasn’t had to fight fires yet. Instead, he’s led Cremonese to a 100% start to the season, mixing grit, belief, and a touch of the unexpected.
The opening day couldn’t have been scripted better. Away at the San Siro, in front of nearly 70,000 Milanisti, Cremonese tore up the script. Federico Bonazzoli’s outrageous overhead kick sealed a 2-1 win against AC Milan, an instant entry into the club’s folklore. If that wasn’t enough, they followed it up with a 3-2 thriller against Sassuolo, settled by Manuel De Luca’s ice-cool last-minute penalty after coming off the bench. Two games, six points, and a fanbase daring to dream.
Of course, one man has since stolen plenty of headlines: Jamie Vardy. The former Leicester striker, now 38, arrived on a free transfer on Deadline Day. Seeing him in Cremonese red and grey after 13 years, 500 appearances and 200 goals for the Foxes will be odd. His fairytale rise from non-league to Premier League champion was already the stuff of legend, but now Vardy is chasing one last adventure in Italy. His work rate, experience and star power will add an extra layer of buzz to the Stadio Giovanni Zini.
Speaking of the Zini – the club’s home is one of the great old-school grounds in Italy. Opened in 1919, it holds just over 15,000 fans, but when it’s full, the noise is known to feel like double that. It’s named after Giovanni Zini, a Cremonese goalkeeper who lost his life in World War I – a detail that ties football and history together in the most poignant way.
Cremonese’s trophy cabinet is modest: a Serie C1 title here, a Coppa Anglo-Italiana there (yes, they won it in 1993 at Wembley, beating Derby County). They’ve never lifted major silverware in Italy, but their reputation as underdogs who never give up is well earned.
So, can Nicola’s men keep this going? It’s early days, and the grind of Serie A will soon test their squad depth. But with Vardy leading the line, Bonazzoli in form, and Nicola’s knack for inspiring belief, Cremonese could well be the surprise package of the 2025/26 season.
For now, the dream is alive – and Cremona is loving every second.
Football Foyer 