Preview: Cremonese vs Sassuolo - prediction, team news, lineups

Following their shock win at San Siro on the opening matchday, Cremonese will tackle fellow promoted side Sassuolo on Friday evening, when the teams meet at Stadio Zini.

While the Grigiorossi stunned AC Milan last time out, the Neroverdi were beaten by the Italian champions on their Serie A return.

Match preview

Scoring with two of only three shots on target, Cremonese pulled off a huge upset last weekend, marking their latest top-flight comeback with victory over Milan.

After losing their first game in eight consecutive Serie A campaigns, Cremo finally prevailed in the most unlikely circumstances.

They struck first through Federico Baschirotto before conceding in first-half stoppage time; undeterred, Federico Bonazzoli then produced a spectacular finish to secure maximum points at San Siro - a venue they have traditionally left empty-handed.

The last newly promoted team to win their first two fixtures were Sampdoria back in 2012, but Davide Nicola's side now have a chance to do just that against opponents who also featured in Serie B last season.

Under former coach Giovanni Stroppa, the Grigiorossi - who were ultimately promoted through the playoffs - won only eight league matches as hosts last term, while Nicola's men were knocked out of the Coppa Italia at Stadio Zini earlier this month.

So, they will be keen to improve such a record and pick up more points on home turf, starting on Friday evening.

History, though, is on Sassuolo's side, having avoided defeat on their last three visits to Cremona - in Serie A, B and C. Furthermore, the most recent top-tier clash between these clubs saw the Neroverdi win 3-2.

By contrast with their hosts, Sassuolo were beaten last week, losing 2-0 at home to Napoli. Six days after starting the 2025-26 campaign with a cup win over Catanzaro, Fabio Grosso's men could not keep the Scudetto holders at bay, as goals from Scott McTominay and Kevin De Bruyne put them out of contention.

Nonetheless, they will face few tougher tests this season, and Friday's fixture offers a much better chance to get off the mark.

After winning Italy’s second tier last term - bouncing back at the first attempt - Sassuolo seem well-equipped for their task of securing Serie A survival.

Grosso's first season produced 11 wins and just three losses away from home, so his team should be more than happy to hit the road.

Cremonese Serie A form: W

Cremonese form (all competitions): L W

Sassuolo Serie A form: L

Sassuolo form (all competitions): W L

Team News

After a successful trip across Lombardy last week, Davide Nicola will find his squad bolstered by returning trio Mattia Valoti, Franco Vazquez and Tommaso Barbieri, all of whom missed out on meeting Milan due to suspension.

They will have a tough time forcing their way back in, as the likes of Napoli loanee Alessio Zerbin excelled at San Siro, while Federico Bonazzoli grabbed the headlines with his wonderstrike.

Norwegian striker Dennis Johnsen may be sidelined by a muscular problem, but Cremonese have been investing in attacking reinforcements: the Grigiorossi already signed Antonio Sanabria - who made his first two Serie A appearances for Sassuolo 11 years ago and has since scored four goals against them - while Leicester City legend Jamie Vardy and Marseille forward Faris Moumbagna have also been linked.

Sassuolo's busy summer in the transfer market continued this week, with veteran midfielder Nemanja Matic confirming his move to Reggio Emilia.

Despite many rumours, Armand Lauriente and Andrea Pinamonti are still available to Fabio Grosso, who should name the pair in a front three alongside long-serving winger Domenico Berardi.

Meanwhile, in midfield, Kristian Thorstvedt is injured and Ismael Kone was sent off on his Serie A debut, so Andrea Ghion could come in.

Cremonese possible starting lineup: Audero; Terracciano, Baschirotto, Bianchetti; Zerbin, Collocolo, Grassi, Vandeputte, Pezzella; Sanabria, Bonazzoli

Sassuolo possible starting lineup: Turati; Walukiewicz, Romagna, Idzes, Doig; Lipani, Boloca, Ghion; Berardi, Pinamonti, Lauriente