Cremonese U20 advanced with a convincing 3-0 victory over Benevento Youth in the Italian Primavera Cup on 28 October 2026. A fast start and a disciplined second-half display sent Cremonese through, with the home side controlling the tie from the opening minutes.

Match overview

Cremonese set the tone with an early goal and never allowed Benevento Youth to settle. The home side pressed aggressively, moved the ball quickly through midfield and created chances at regular intervals. A second goal before half-time gave Cremonese a comfortable cushion, and a third after the break ended any realistic hope of a Benevento comeback.

Benevento Youth worked hard but struggled to keep possession under pressure. Their best moments came from set pieces and occasional counter-attacks, but Cremonese’s defensive organisation held firm.

Key moments

• 9th minute: Davide Marchetti gave Cremonese the lead with a first-time finish after a neat build-up on the left.
• 41st minute: Simone Bellini doubled the advantage with a header from a corner.
• 55th minute: Benevento won a penalty, but Cremonese’s goalkeeper made a crucial save to preserve the two-goal lead.
• 73rd minute: Luca Ferri sealed the win with a composed finish on the counter-attack.

The penalty save was the decisive moment in the second half. Had Benevento pulled one back, the tie could have become tense, but Cremonese responded with maturity and managed the game well.

Tactical story

Cremonese U20 lined up with an aggressive 4-2-3-1, using their midfield press to force Benevento into long passes. The wide attackers stayed high, creating overloads against Benevento’s full-backs, while the central striker occupied the defence. That structure allowed Cremonese to win the ball back quickly and attack before Benevento could reorganise.

Benevento Youth defended in a deeper block and tried to spring forward on the break. They found some space in wide areas but lacked the final pass. Cremonese’s back four stayed compact, and the goalkeeper’s penalty save underlined a strong overall defensive performance.

Standout performers

Marchetti’s early goal set the tone, while Bellini’s header and all-round midfield work made him another key figure. Ferri’s late goal capped a sharp attacking display. Cremonese’s goalkeeper deserves special mention for the penalty save, which protected the team’s control of the tie. Benevento’s defenders battled throughout, but the team could not find enough possession to threaten a comeback.

What it means

The win keeps Cremonese U20’s Primavera Cup campaign alive and adds confidence to a young squad. Cup ties reward efficiency, and Cremonese were ruthless in the key moments. Benevento Youth will take lessons from the defeat, particularly in managing transitions and defending set pieces, but the scoreline reflected Cremonese’s superiority on the night.