Goalkeepers shine as Cremonese and Genoa play out a goalless draw, denying both sides crucial Serie A points.
Cremonese and Genoa battled to a hard-fought 0-0 draw at Stadio Giovanni Zini. Goalkeepers Justin Bijlow and Emil Audero were the undisputed heroes, making crucial saves to deny both sides a vital Serie A victory.
Both clubs entered the contest desperate for points, sitting 15th and 16th in the Serie A standings. A win would have provided crucial breathing room in the tight relegation battle. Their recent form suggested a cagey affair was likely.
The match began with a quick yellow card for Cremonese's Gianluca Pezzella in the 4th minute for a foul. This set an early physical tone for the home side. Genoa tried to exploit the early tension.
Cremonese continued to press, but a second yellow card followed for Filippo Terracciano in the 29th minute. Despite the warnings, Cremonese registered more shots in the half. Genoa struggled to truly test Audero.
Genoa controlled possession for much of the opening forty-five minutes, moving the ball effectively. However, their final ball often lacked precision. Cremonese's defence held firm, absorbing pressure.
As the teams headed for the tunnel, coaches surely demanded more attacking intent. Both sides needed a moment of quality or tactical shift to break the deadlock and secure three points.
The second half saw a flurry of substitutions designed to inject pace and offensive threat. Cremonese introduced veterans Jamie Vardy and Marco Payero in the 58th minute. This aimed to sharpen their attack.
Genoa responded swiftly with changes of their own just two minutes later. Vitinha came on in the 60th minute, followed by Junior Messias, Braydon Norton-Cuffy, and Lorenzo Colombo in the 72nd minute. Fresh legs created new angles.
Despite these attacking changes from both benches, the goalkeepers remained impenetrable. Cremonese had several opportunities, but Bijlow stood tall to thwart them. Audero also made key interventions for Cremonese.
Milan Djuric, who had been an early force, was replaced for Cremonese in the 73rd minute. The relentless defensive efforts of both teams ensured no clear-cut chances translated into goals. The final whistle brought relief and frustration.
The statistics highlighted a story of missed chances and goalkeeping brilliance. Cremonese recorded an xG of 2.02 from 18 total shots, 8 on target. Genoa had an an xG of 1.25 from 19 shots, 6 on target. Bijlow made 8 saves, Audero 6.
This 0-0 draw means both Cremonese and Genoa remain locked on 23 points in the Serie A table. While a point keeps the scoreboard ticking, neither team gained the significant advantage they craved in their fight against relegation.
