US Cremonese face a difficult away trip to Mantova on Tuesday, 27 October at 20:00 local time at the Stadio Danilo Martelli, looking to react after two consecutive defeats. The Grigiorossi are stuck in 17th place in Serie B with just 6 points from 7 games, having recorded one win, three draws and three losses, a full 13 points behind leaders Palermo. Their recent form of two wins, one draw and two losses from the last five has been undermined by losing the last two matches.
The 1-0 home defeat to Juve Stabia last Friday confirmed a tough period. The decisive goal came in the 24th minute from Marco Bellich, assisted by Fabio Maistro. Three days earlier, a 3-1 loss at Pisa featured a goal from Tommaso Berti, set up by Jari Vandeputte, and strikes from Stefano Moreo and Tommaso Marras for the hosts. These results halted a positive run that included a 1-0 win at Juventus and a 3-2 victory at Monza, preceded by a goalless draw at Arezzo and a home stalemate with Virtus Entella.
For Tuesday's challenge, the manager could largely stick with the eleven that lost to Juve Stabia, featuring A. Fulignati in goal, a back four of Barbieri, Baschirotto, Luperto and Fellipe Jack, and a midfield of Grassi, Ličina, Thorsby and Berti, with Vandeputte and Nasti completing the attack in a 4-1-4-1 shape.
Mantova, sitting second in the standings, represent a top-tier obstacle. Cremonese must rediscover defensive solidity, having conceded 10 league goals while scoring only 6, for a goal difference of -4. Striker F. Bonazzoli, the team's top scorer this season with 3 goals in 5 appearances, will be key to climbing the table.
The match is the next fixture on Cremonese's schedule, with the team set to play again next Sunday.
