Cremonese are practically guaranteed relegation after the 5-1 defeat to Bologna and coach Davide Ballardini cannot argue with the facts. ‘If this is who we are, then we deserve to be in Serie B.’
The Grigiorossi had given themselves some hope with recent results, including a draw with Milan and victory over Spezia, but this afternoon’s 5-1 humiliation on home turf really was the final straw.
“Bologna were superior in every way and that was a real football lesson for us,” Ballardini told DAZN.
“If what we saw today is who we are, then we deserve to be in Serie B. We were never in the game, they outclassed us in every area of the pitch.
“It had never happened before and this shows we are simply not up to the level needed for this situation. The only ones who do belong in the top flight are the fans, who support us to the end.
“Today was humiliating for all of us, starting with me as the coach of this team.”
Cremonese will be mathematically relegated this weekend if Spezia get a point against Lecce, but even that would only be postponing the inevitable.
They are six points adrift of both Spezia and Verona, with two games left to play, having managed just four wins, 12 draws and 20 defeats this season.
It is now certain, unless there is some miraculous turnaround, that Cremonese will be relegated to Serie B this summer along with Sampdoria.
The third spot will be decided between Spezia and Verona on 30 points, while Lecce are still at risk on 32.