Having pulled off another cup upset in midweek, Cremonese return to Serie A duty on Saturday, when they again go in search of their first league win of the season against Lecce.
After defying the odds to book a place in the Coppa Italia semi-finals, the Grigiorossi now tackle their Puglian visitors at Stadio Giovanni Zini.
Match preview
© Reuters
Eliminating Napoli in the last 16 may have been seen as something of a freak result, given their opponents' much-altered starting XI when the teams met last month, but Cremonese managed to repeat the feat on Wednesday when they toppled Roma in the capital.
They led for most of the match thanks to Cyriel Dessers winning and converting a 28th-minute penalty at Stadio Olimpico, and Zeki Celik's own goal later helped the Lombardy club on their way to a 2-1 victory which sets up their first Coppa Italia semi-final since 1987.
Before they tackle that two-legged tie against Fiorentina in April, the Grigiorossi aim to close a forbidding 10-point gap between them and Serie A safety - such a deficit has built up as they are yet to win a league game this season.
As Davide Ballardini's side must meet both Roma and Napoli again before the end of February, hosting another team only promoted last year surely provides a better opportunity to get off the mark - this will be their 21st attempt.
One penalty apiece saw the spoils shared when they met Lecce in October's reverse fixture, but if their comeback campaign after 26 years away from the top flight is to end with a miraculous escape, Cremonese now need a win that could finally lift them off the foot of the table.
© Reuters
Having taken just two points from four fixtures, Lecce have lost both of their last two following last week's home defeat to Salernitana, who leapfrogged them in the standings as a result.
The Giallorossi now aim to avoid losing three Serie A games in a row for the first time since returning to the Italian elite as Serie B champions, but have yet to find their feet on away soil in 2023.
The only Serie A side still to score on the road following the winter break, Lecce's last strike away from home came in November's victory over Sampdoria, when Lameck Banda was on target in the 83rd minute.
While more vulnerable outside Stadio Via del Mare, Marco Baroni's men start Saturday's game some 12 points above their hosts and still with a seven-point buffer to the drop zone.
With the lowest average possession in Serie A so far this season (42%), Lecce are not accustomed to starting as favourites, but will have to occupy such a role this weekend. How they handle that situation in Cremona could dictate whether they pull further clear of danger or find themselves dragged into a dogfight.
Team News
© Reuters
Following his side's second cup shock since he took charge last month, Davide Ballardini may be loath to make many changes in light of Wednesday's heroics.
Roma primavera product Felix Afena-Gyan featured against his former club in midweek and will hope to retain his place against Lecce, but David Okereke and Emanuele Valeri are among those pushing for a return to the lineup. Okereke has scored in both his last two league appearances and has the joint-most goals from outside the box (three) in Serie A this season.
Leonardo Sernicola returns following his Coppa Italia suspension, so is expected to resume duties on the hosts' right flank, but Cristian Buonaiuto and Luka Lochosvhili remain doubtful due to injury.
Meanwhile, recent arrival Youssef Maleh (ankle) joins those set to miss out for Lecce, in addition to fellow injury victims Marin Pongracic (ankle) and Kastriot Dermaku (thigh).
With the latter pair absent, Federico Baschirotto again helms the back four: he has made more headed clearances than any other Italian in Serie A this term (39) and scored at Stadio Zini against Cremonese when the teams met in Serie B. Pietro Ceccaroni has also signed from Venezia and offers Marco Baroni another defensive option.
Up front, Milan loanee Lorenzo Colombo is set to be flanked by Gabriel Strefezza and either Federico Di Francesco or French forward Remi Oudin.
Cremonese possible starting lineup:
Carnesecchi; Vasquez, Chiriches, Ferrari; Sernicola, Benassi, Meite, Pickel, Valeri; Okereke, Dessers
Lecce possible starting lineup:
Falcone; Gendrey, Baschirotto, Umtiti, Pezzella; Blin, Hjulmand, Gonzalez; Strefezza, Colombo, Di Francesco
We say: Cremonese 1-0 Lecce
Both sides are yet to reach 20 goals since promotion - placing them among Serie A's lowest scorers - so a close-fought tussle is in prospect. While Lecce are experiencing their first real downturn, Cremonese must be lifted by their Coppa Italia success - surely Saturday is the day their winless streak finally ends?
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Jonathan O'Shea
