Let’s talk about nights in football that just don’t go according to the script. On December 1, 2025, the stage was perfectly set at the Stadio Dall'Ara. Bologna, a team on a blistering run of form, had a chance to climb into joint second place in Serie A. All they had to do was beat a struggling, newly-promoted Cremonese side. Simple, right? Well, someone forgot to give Jamie Vardy the memo.
Key Highlights
- ✓ Cremonese secured a shocking 1-3 victory away at Bologna's Stadio Dall'Ara.
- ✓ English striker Jamie Vardy was the hero, scoring his first Serie A brace.
- ✓ The defeat ended Bologna's incredible unbeaten run that stretched back to September 25.
- ✓ Bologna missed a golden opportunity to move into joint second place in the Serie A table.
- ✓ The win snapped Cremonese's three-game losing streak in spectacular fashion.
A Golden Opportunity for Bologna
Coming into this Week 13 fixture, you couldn't find a team in better shape than Bologna. Under the guidance of their manager, Vincenzo Italiano, they were absolutely flying. They hadn't tasted defeat in any competition since a narrow 1-0 loss to Aston Villa way back on September 25. Since then, they'd rattled off an impressive seven victories and five draws.
Their momentum was undeniable. They were fresh off big Serie A wins against Napoli and Udinese and had just dismantled RB Salzburg 4-1 in the Europa League. The confidence was sky-high. A win against Cremonese would have created a wild scenario at the top of the table, putting the top five teams within a single point of each other. It was a massive opportunity to make a statement.
Even with a few key players like Lukasz Skorupski and Ciro Immobile sidelined, the mood was optimistic. Jonathan Rowe and Nicolò Cambiaghi were back on the bench, adding depth to a squad that looked ready to challenge for the top spots. The official lineup featured a strong attacking force with Orsolini, Odgaard, and Castro, ready to continue their fantastic run.
Cremonese's Uphill Battle
On the other side of the pitch, you had Cremonese. After earning promotion from Serie B, they had a brilliant start to life in the top flight under new coach Davide Nicola, even grabbing wins over giants like Milan. But recently, things had gone south. They were stuck in a rut, coming into this match on the back of three straight losses to Juventus, Pisa, and Roma.
In his pre-match press conference, Nicola was candid about the challenge ahead. He knew Bologna was a powerhouse, praising their skilled players and aggressive, fast-paced style. He emphasized that his team needed to be smart, adaptable, and most importantly, clinical. "This issue is not merely down to luck," he said, talking about their recent struggles to score, "but rather highlights the need for determination and mental focus."
Nicola saw this daunting fixture as a huge learning opportunity for his squad. He wanted his players to absorb the rhythm and speed of a top-tier team. Despite missing Michele Collocolo and Mikayil Faye, they received a boost with Alessio Zerbin and Martin Payero returning to the squad. And leading the line? The ever-dangerous Jamie Vardy, partnered with Federico Bonazzoli. It was clear Nicola was banking on his team's grit and Vardy's magic.
The Shock at the Stadio Dall'Ara
As the match kicked off at 19:45 GMT, nobody could have predicted what was about to unfold. The home crowd was buzzing, expecting another dominant performance. But Cremonese, playing with the exact "clarity, energy, and enthusiasm" their coach had called for, had other ideas. They didn't just compete; they stunned the high-flying hosts.
The final score read Bologna 1-3 Cremonese. It was a result that sent shockwaves through the league. The architect of this incredible upset was none other than Jamie Vardy. The veteran striker turned back the clock, delivering a masterclass in finishing with a decisive brace. His two goals sealed the shocking win and left Bologna wondering what had just hit them.
This wasn't just any performance. With his two goals, Vardy matched a record set by Italian legend Gianfranco Zola. For a player who has already achieved so much, adding a historic Serie A brace to his resume is just incredible. It was a performance that reminded everyone that class is permanent, and Vardy has it in spades. The loss was also a historically painful one for Bologna, marking a type of defeat they hadn't experienced in 35 years.
The Aftermath: A Tale of Two Fortunes
For Bologna, this was a brutal reality check. Their magnificent unbeaten streak was over, and their chance to close in on the Serie A summit vanished in 90 shocking minutes. It’s a tough pill to swallow for Italiano’s side, who have been one of the league's most exciting teams this season. The only small consolation might be that their forward, Riccardo Orsolini, managed to equal Lautaro Martinez on some metric, showing individual quality is still there.
But for Cremonese, this victory is more than just three points. It’s a massive statement. It’s proof that Davide Nicola's philosophy of resilience and adaptability works. He asked for determination, and his players delivered it on the biggest stage. This win could be the turning point in their season, a huge injection of confidence as they look to build their future in Italy's top division.
It’s fascinating to look back at Nicola’s pre-match comments. He spoke about using this game to understand "rhythm and speed" and to learn from an established team. Well, it seems his players were the ones giving the lesson. They exploited the very defensive gaps Nicola suspected might appear in Bologna's free-flowing system, and they were utterly ruthless in front of goal—something they had been struggling with for weeks.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, the Bologna vs. Cremonese match was a perfect reminder of why we love this sport. It’s the unpredictability, the drama, and the chance for an underdog to have its day. Bologna’s incredible run came to a screeching halt, while Cremonese, led by the timeless Jamie Vardy, pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the season. It was a night of tactical bravery from Davide Nicola and clinical genius from his star striker, proving that in football, nothing is ever guaranteed.
