Parma saw off Cremonese 2-0 in the Round of 32 of the Coppa Italia on Monday evening. The visitors took control early and held firm despite a frantic second half from the hosts. It was a result that extended Parma's recent poor run of form, though this performance offered a sliver of something to build on.
S. Lottici Tessadri opened the scoring after just five minutes, catching Cremonese off guard with a composed finish. The home side looked rattled, their usual structure already showing cracks. By then, Parma had established a rhythm that Cremonese struggled to disrupt for the remainder of the first half.
A. Licina doubled the advantage before the interval, slotting home in the 41st minute. The goal came from a well-worked move, and it was the sort of moment that often defines these knockout ties. Parma went into the break with the upper hand, and the visitors' defensive shape held firm.
Cremonese made five changes at the break, including Y. Rocchetti, S. Elia, and N. Elphege among those brought on in a desperate attempt to alter the game. The switch did not come immediately. Parma's A. Licina picked up a yellow card in the 58th minute, and M. Frigan was introduced to shore up the midfield.
The home side threw bodies forward in the second half, with substitutions flowing every ten minutes or so. Cremonese dominated possession but could not find a way through. Parma held their nerve, and a 2-0 victory was enough to see them through to the next round.
