Giampaolo and Cremonese: the survival project
There’s a breath of fresh air on the banks of the Po. Giampaolo is the new head coach of Cremonese, brought in to guide the team through the final stretch of the season. The coaching change and the departure of Davide Nicola immediately lifted the spirits of the Grigiorossi, who left Parma’s Tardini Stadium with three crucial points, bringing hope for better times. However, there is still plenty of work to do following the team’s rough patch, and one victory alone is not enough to get things back on track. With Nicola in charge, Cremonese had impressed as a newly promoted side in Serie A, collecting points in the early matchdays and standing out as one of the season’s early breakouts. Their last victory was on matchday 14, when they beat Lecce 2–0 at home, reaching eighth with 20 points and safely distancing themselves from the relegation zone. However, the team soon hit a slump: from just before Christmas to mid-March, they only managed to collect four points from 15 matches, gradually finding themselves in the relegation battle. The home defeat against Fiorentina on 16 March was the end of Nicola’s stint in charge. Giampaolo took over, writing a new chapter for the squad.
Cremonese’s fresh start
A new coach brings changes on multiple levels. In the 0–2 win over Parma, Giampaolo earned respect for reigniting the players’ motivation and encouraging them to keep going after a difficult period. With only a few days in charge before the Tardini match, there wasn’t enough time to overhaul tactical systems, but he had the chance to focus on the team’s mentality. Some changes were already evident: switching to a four-man defence allowed midfielders a break from playing very defensively, and allowed full-backs to make the most of their pace. Moving Vandeputte to the wing was also a decision that paid off: the Belgian, who scored a decisive goal, used the flanks effectively while enhancing attacking play through the middle.
Giampaolo could now be hoping to find a striking duo to find the back of the net when it counts most throughout May. Bonazzoli continues to lead with skill and dedication, but his partner should be able to adapt to the situation. Djurić is the main striker, Sanabria the reliable option to reinvigorate, and Okereke the surprise factor. It is worth highlighting Jamie Vardy. After a challenging start to his Serie A campaign, he now needs to regain the drive and hunger to make the impact he is capable of. The former Leicester striker has scored six goals but hasn’t found the net since early January. He was back on the pitch for the second half at Parma after missing the Fiorentina match and will need to raise his game to keep his team going in the final stretch of the season.
The new coach’s qualities
Marco Giampaolo is known for resilience and determination. His last season at Lecce is precisely an example of his ability to restore hope. He arrived at Via Del Mare in November 2024 to replace Luca Gotti mid-season, coming off almost two years without a coaching role, following mixed results with Milan, Torino, and Sampdoria. Giampaolo’s strength lies in staying true to his philosophy and leading with composure, even in difficult times. Two late-season wins in 2024/25, including a 1–0 victory over Lazio at the Olimpico, secured Lecce’s safety and cemented his reputation as a determined and resolute leader. When Cremonese called, Giampolo accepted without hesitation, fully aware that there was little room for error. At his first press conference, he asked for positivity and courage from the group; after the Parma victory, he emphasised the importance of determination and team spirit. These are powerful fundamental values from a coach who never hesitates to get hands-on to bring his vision to life.