Daniel Ciofani and Johan Vasquez were far more clinical than wasteful Spezia, so Cremonese have blown the relegation battle wide open, closing the gap on their opponents to just three points.
This was a last chance saloon for Cremonese, who were six points adrift of safety, while Spezia had been caught by Verona in the drop zone after just one win and six draws in 15 rounds.
Giacomo Quagliata and Charles Pickel were suspended, with Cyriel Dessers and Frank Tsadjout injured for the hosts. Daniel Maldini, Szymon Zurkowski, Jacopo Sala, Joao Mourinho and Emil Holm didn’t make the journey, but M’Bala Nzola returned to the bench and Simone Bastoni pulled out in the warm-up.
It was a strong start from the visitors, as Marco Carnesecchi made two sensational saves on Kelvin Amian and the Wisniewski header from point-blank range.
Bartlomiej Dragowski beat away a long-range Daniel Ciofani strike, but Cremonese took the lead somewhat against the run of play when the Pablo Galdames flick on took a double ricochet off two Spezia players and happened to land kindly for Ciofani to score.
Straight after the restart, Eldor Shomurodov hit a screamer off the underside of the crossbar that bounced off the turf and back out again.
Galdames also fired over the bar and Emanuel Gyasi stung Carnesecchi’s gloves from 12 yards, but M’Bala Nzola came off the bench for his comeback from injury and couldn’t keep the finish down when a corner fell kindly to his feet.
Luka Lochoshvili charged down the Albin Ekdal daisy-cutter and Marco Benassi’s attempt was deflected wide, but Kevin Agudelo’s booking means he’ll be suspended against Milan.
Cremonese doubled their advantage when a Galdames free kick was whipped to the back post for a powerful Johan Vasquez header from a very tight angle, having got away from his marker.
Okereke and Daniele Verde forced more saves in the closing stages.
Cremonese 2-0 Spezia
Ciofani 41 (C), Vasquez 77 (C)
Player statistic
| Daniel Ciofani |  |
41' |
| 76' |  |
Kevin Agudelo | ||
| Johan Vásquez (Assist: Pablo Galdames) |
|
77' | ||
| 79' | |
Ethan Ampadu |
Match statistic
