Roma’s 3-1 win at Cremonese featured Matías Soulé’s opener and Evan Ferguson’s first Roma goal; Wesley sealed it. Punters may back Roma to win and to score 2+ goals, with Ferguson or Wesley attractive anytime-scorer picks given their form and roles.
Roma climb clear at the top as Ferguson marks debut with a goal
Roma moved to the summit after a 3-1 victory over Cremonese, with Matías Soulé opening the scoring and substitutes Evan Ferguson and Wesley turning the game decisively in the second half. Cremonese grabbed a late consolation through Francesco Folino, but it was a confident performance from the visitors that kept them in title contention.
Match report
Soullé broke the deadlock on 17 minutes, bending a left-foot finish around Emil Audero after a smart lay-off from Manu Koné. Roma thought they had doubled their lead when Tommaso Baldanzi struck goalward and Lorenzo Pellegrini appeared to have the rebound, but the flag went up for offside. Cremonese pushed back and forced Mile Svilar into several important saves, including a fingertip stop from Pellegrini’s close-range attempt.
A first-half penalty awarded to Cremonese was overturned by VAR when video review showed Gianluca Mancini’s hand in a natural position. After the break Jan Ziolkowski was replaced and Bryan Cristante dropped into a back three to steady Roma’s shape.
Evan Ferguson, introduced as a substitute, made an immediate impact with his first Roma goal on 64 minutes after Emil Audero spilled a cross. Five minutes later Wesley extended the lead, finishing crisply after a slide-rule pass from Stephan El Shaarawy. Cremonese’s Folino nodded in a stoppage-time corner for a late goal but it did little to alter the result.
Key moments
- 17' Matías Soulé — opener following a Koné lay-off. - Half-time VAR intervention — Cremonese penalty overturned. - 64' Evan Ferguson — first Roma goal, introduced as a substitute. - 69' Wesley — composed finish after El Shaarawy assist. - 90+3' Francesco Folino — stoppage-time consolation for Cremonese.
Tactical observations
Roma adapted well without several first-choice attackers, using Soulé in a false nine role and relying on quick transitions. The introduction of Ferguson added a focal point in attack, while El Shaarawy’s creative pass for Wesley highlighted the effectiveness of Roma’s late midfield runs. Cremonese showed fight but lacked cutting edge after the VAR decision and second-half momentum shift.
Injuries & discipline
Roma were missing key names through rotation and fitness concerns prior to the match. Cremonese also had selection issues, with several players unavailable through injury. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini was sent off after collecting two yellow cards for dissent, leaving him unable to oversee parts of the match from the touchline.
Line-ups and substitutes
Cremonese (starting XI): Emil Audero; Federico Baschirotto; Matteo Bianchetti; Romano Floriani Mussolini; Tommaso Barbieri; Filippo Terracciano; Jari Vandeputte; Martín Payero; Warren Bondo; Federico Bonazzoli; Jamie Vardy. Roma (starting XI): Mile Svilar; Evan Ndicka; Gianluca Mancini; Jan Ziolkowski; Wesley; Zeki Çelik; Bryan Cristante; Lorenzo Pellegrini; Manu Koné; Tommaso Baldanzi; Matías Soulé.
Notable substitutes: Evan Ferguson (scored), Stephan El Shaarawy (assist), Neil El Aynaoui (assist).
Match facts
Final score: Cremonese 1-3 Roma. Scorers: Soulé 17' (R), Ferguson 64' (R), Wesley 69' (R), Folino 90+3' (C). Stadium: Stadio Giovanni Zini. This result keeps Roma firmly involved in the title race and reinforces their attacking depth.
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Roma comfortably conquered Cremonese 3-1 with Matias Soulé, Wesley, and the first goal in the...
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