Juventus Primavera edge Cremonese to boost playoff hopes
Juventus's Under-20 side returned to winning ways with a 2-1 victory away to bottom-placed Cremonese in Serie A Primavera 1 on Sunday. Goals from Angel David Lopez and Mattia Bracco in the first half proved enough for the Bianconeri to secure three crucial points in their pursuit of a playoff place, despite a late consolation penalty from the hosts.
The victory, secured under the management of former Juventus midfielder Simone Padoin, halts a run of two consecutive draws against Milan and Lazio. Lopez opened the scoring after just four minutes, capitalising on a defensive error to beat Cremonese goalkeeper Edoardo Cassin with a right-footed finish. The 20-year-old forward, who was preferred in the starting lineup to Simone Durmisi, took his chance well to give his side an early advantage.
Cremonese attempted to respond but found themselves two goals down in the 26th minute. A sustained period of Juventus pressure culminated in a cross from Samuel Grelaud, with Bracco's initial header saved before the midfielder tapped in the rebound for his side's second. The double strike before the interval provided a platform for Juventus to control the match, though their task was complicated in the 54th minute when Grelaud received a straight red card for a foul and subsequent dissent.
Playing with ten men for the final third of the match, Juventus managed the game defensively while still creating chances on the counter-attack. Durmisi, introduced after the red card, missed a clear opportunity to seal the game. Cremonese were awarded a penalty with five minutes remaining after defender Diego Montero was adjudged to have handled the ball, and substitute Francesco Marino converted to set up a tense finale. The hosts pressed during seven minutes of added time but could not find an equaliser.
The result sees Juventus consolidate their position in the upper half of the Primavera 1 table as the season enters its final stages. For Lopez, the goal provides a positive note in a season where he has vied for a consistent starting role. The focus for Padoin's team will now shift to maintaining this form in their remaining fixtures to secure a postseason berth.
