Cremonese edged Monza 3-2 in an entertaining International Club Friendly on September 26, 2026. The match, played at Monza’s U-Power Stadium, served as a valuable workout for both Serie A sides, with Cremonese’s clinical finishing proving the difference in a five-goal contest.

Cremonese edge five-goal friendly

Friendly fixtures are often about experimentation, and both coaches used the opportunity to test new formations and give minutes to squad players. Cremonese started the brighter, racing into a two-goal lead inside 35 minutes. Monza responded strongly after the break, equalising with two well-worked goals, but Cremonese found a late winner to claim the bragging rights.

Match overview

The game was played at a high tempo, with both sides pressing aggressively and looking to attack. Monza’s midfield struggled to contain Cremonese’s quick transitions early on, but their half-time adjustments brought them back into the contest. The final 20 minutes were end-to-end, with chances at both ends before Cremonese’s late strike settled it.

Key moments

• 14’ – David Okereke fired Cremonese ahead with a powerful near-post finish.
• 33’ – Cristian Buonaiuto doubled the lead, curling a shot into the far corner from the edge of the box.
• 58’ – Dany Mota pulled one back for Monza, converting a low cross at the back post.
• 72’ – Andrea Colpani equalised with a stunning free-kick from 25 yards.
• 85’ – Luca Zanimacchia won it for Cremonese, finishing a swift counter-attack.

Tactical story

Cremonese lined up in a 3-4-2-1 that allowed their wing-backs to push high and isolate Monza’s full-backs. Monza switched to a 4-3-3 after the break, which gave them more control in midfield and allowed Colpani to drift inside. However, Cremonese’s defensive resilience and quick breaks proved decisive. Both managers will have learned plenty about their squad depth ahead of the league campaign.

Standout players

David Okereke was a constant threat for Cremonese, using his pace and strength to unsettle the Monza defence. Cristian Buonaiuto added creativity and a fine goal. For Monza, Andrea Colpani was the standout, scoring a brilliant free-kick and dictating play in the second half. Dany Mota also impressed with his movement and finish.

What the friendly revealed

Monza showed character to fight back from two goals down, but defensive lapses cost them. Cremonese demonstrated the value of taking chances and managing the game late on. With the competitive season in full swing, this friendly offered both sides a chance to sharpen their match fitness and test tactical alternatives. The result will give Cremonese confidence, while Monza will focus on tightening up at the back.