BOLOGNA, Italy — Bologna’s impressive 12-match unbeaten streak came to an unfortunate end on Monday as they fell 3-1 to Cremonese at home. The match marked a milestone for Jamie Vardy, who scored his first Serie A double.
The game featured a Bologna team that hadn’t lost in 12 matches against a Cremonese side that had suffered three consecutive league defeats, conceding a total of 6 goals in those matches.
Cremonese struck first in the 30th minute when Matteo Bianchetti delivered a precise through ball to Martín Payero, who finished confidently, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance.
Just four minutes later, Vardy doubled the lead, replicating Payero’s earlier goal. Federico Bonazzoli’s pass freed him from the struggling defense, and he calmly slotted it home from nearly the same spot.
Bologna responded just before halftime when Riccardo Orsolini netted a penalty, but Vardy quickly restored the two-goal advantage five minutes into the second half. He tapped in a well-placed cross from the right, making it 3-1.
The night was particularly encouraging for Vardy, who was reportedly a victim of a robbery the previous week. Reports indicated that thieves made off with £80,000 worth of valuables from his home near Lake Garda while he was playing in Rome.
This victory was a significant lift for Cremonese, who, after a strong start in their first two matches, had struggled to find form, winning only one of their subsequent games. The result moved them up two spots to 11th in the standings.
Meanwhile, Bologna slipped to sixth place, now behind Como on goal difference, marking the first occasion this season that Vincenzo Italiano’s team conceded three goals in a single match.