Luciano Spalletti made a successful debut as Juventus head coach as his side earned a 2–1 victory away to Cremonese, securing back-to-back league wins for the first time in six weeks and handing La Cremo only their second Serie A defeat of the season.
Juventus made a rapid start, taking the lead inside two minutes. Loïs Openda broke into the penalty area, and although his attempted backheel did not reach Dušan Vlahović, the ball deflected kindly into the path of Filip Kostić, who finished confidently.
The visitors remained in control throughout the first half. Goalkeeper Emil Audero denied Vlahović after turning well on the edge of the area, and minutes later, Audero tipped a Manuel Locatelli strike onto the post. Openda also went close twice, while Cremonese produced little to test Michele Di Gregorio before the interval.
Cremonese showed greater intent early in the second half, with Tommaso Barbieri forcing a deflection over the bar during their best spell. However, Juventus restored control and extended their lead midway through the half. Francisco Conceição burst down the right and drove the ball into the area, where Cremonese failed to clear, and Andrea Cambiaso swept home.
The hosts responded seven minutes from time when Jamie Vardy held off his defender and guided in his second goal of the season to give Cremonese hope. But Juventus managed the closing stages effectively to close out the win, ending Cremonese’s long unbeaten home run and maintaining their dominance in the head-to-head between the clubs, which stretches back over a century.
Spalletti now prepares Juventus for the next phase of the season with the club targeting a return to the top four and renewed consistency in away fixtures.
