Italian Serie A
Final Score: Bologna 1 – 3 Cremonese
Jamie Vardy scored 200 goals for Leicester City, helping them secure the Premier League and FA Cup titles [Getty Images]
Jamie Vardy netted his first double in Serie A, leading Cremonese to victory over Bologna.
The 38-year-old former England and Leicester City striker’s goals handed Bologna their first home loss of the season. A win would have brought them within a point of joint leaders AC Milan and Napoli.
After Martin Payero opened the scoring in the 31st minute, Vardy made a perfectly timed run to break through Bologna’s defense and slot the ball past goalkeeper Federico Ravaglia, extending Cremonese’s lead just four minutes later.
Although Riccardo Orsolini converted a penalty to reduce the deficit for the home team, Vardy struck again five minutes into the second half at the rain-soaked Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, snapping his team’s three-match losing streak.
“I think we were just missing a bit of rain – this is a typical midweek in the UK,” Vardy remarked after the match. “The most important thing was securing the three points and making progress. This is another step in the right direction.”
“It’s all about commitment and wanting what’s best for the club. Everyone is on the same page, pushing forward to ensure a successful season when it concludes.”
Vardy has now scored four goals in nine appearances for Cremonese, who currently sit in 11th place with 17 points from 13 matches.
“Great players are easy to manage because they understand their roles and execute them well,” said Cremonese manager Davide Nicola. “They distinguish themselves not only by their ability but also by their spirit and behavior.”
“That’s how he is – he is confident, good-humored, and has come here with the right mentality to contribute to the team.”
Vardy joined Cremonese in September on a free transfer, signing a one-year deal with an option for another year if the club avoids relegation.
During his time at Leicester, he scored 200 goals in 500 appearances and was instrumental in their Premier League triumph in 2015-16 and FA Cup victory in 2021. He also earned seven caps for England, scoring on seven occasions.