Udinese 0-1 Cremonese: Serie A 2025-26 match report

The opening

The final weeks of the 2025-26 Serie A season brought a tense encounter to the Bluenergy Stadium on Monday evening, as Udinese hosted Cremonese in a clash defined by tactical rigidity and marginal gains. Both managers, Kosta Runjaic and Marco Giampaolo, opted for identical 3-5-2 formations, signaling an intention to control the central corridors and force play into the wide areas.

The deadlock was broken early, providing Cremonese with the foothold they required to execute a defensive game plan. In the 9th minute, Jamie Vardy found the breakthrough, capitalizing on a moment of defensive hesitation to put the visitors ahead. The goal forced Udinese to abandon their initial caution, but the home side struggled to find rhythm against a disciplined Cremonese block.

The first half was punctuated by a significant intervention from the Video Assistant Referee in the 27th minute. Udinese appeared to have been handed a lifeline when a penalty was awarded, but a subsequent review saw the decision overturned. This moment proved to be a psychological turning point, as the hosts’ momentum stalled, allowing Cremonese to reach the interval with their narrow lead intact.

The decisive moment

Runjaic looked to inject energy into his side immediately after the break, introducing C. Kabasele for N. Bertola at the start of the second half. However, the game descended into a fragmented affair characterized by tactical fouls and disciplinary intervention. Cremonese’s F. Bonazzoli and T. Barbieri were both cautioned in quick succession, highlighting the visitors' commitment to disrupting Udinese’s build-up play.

The 66th minute provided another flashpoint involving the VAR room. A potential red card for an Udinese player was reviewed and subsequently cancelled, allowing the home side to maintain their numerical parity. Despite the reprieve, Udinese found it difficult to translate possession into high-quality scoring opportunities. The midfield battle remained congested, and as the hour mark passed, both managers utilized their benches to manage fatigue.

Giampaolo’s substitutions in the 60th and 82nd minutes were largely aimed at reinforcing the defensive structure, with players like M. Thorsby and Y. Maleh brought on to shield the back three. Udinese’s late-game surge, bolstered by the introductions of L. Miller and K. Davis, failed to break down a resilient Cremonese defensive line. Even as the match entered stoppage time, with A. Grassi receiving a yellow card for the visitors, the tactical discipline of the away side held firm. The final whistle confirmed a 1-0 victory for Cremonese, a result earned through early efficiency and sustained defensive organization.

Looking ahead

For Cremonese, the result provides a vital boost in their end-of-season objectives, demonstrating an ability to grind out results on the road against physical opposition. Udinese, meanwhile, will look to address their lack of clinical precision in the final third as they prepare for the remaining fixtures of the campaign.