Manchester boys dismantle Cremonese to secure Napoli's UCL spot
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Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 25.04.26. | 10:23
McTominay and De Bruyne both scored in the Neapolitans' convincing 4-0 triumph over the relegation strugglers
The Scudetto race has long been over for Napoli, as Inter Milan's advantage is practically unattainable, but the second place in the Serie A still has to be confirmed, and the Champions League ticket booked.
Therefore, it's no wonder Antonio Conte's men took the home clash against the relegation strugglers Cremonese very seriously and demolished the rivals 4-0, breaking a two-game winless streak.
The Azzurri run riot at the Maradona! 🍿🔥#NapoliCremonese pic.twitter.com/KtA3hZlWH6
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) April 24, 2026
The Neapolitans were already 3-0 up at the break, which perfectly reflects their strong motive, while the former Manchester boys took the lead in the first half.
Scott McTominay broke the deadlock only three minutes into the game with a precise long-range effort. In the 45th minute, Rasmus Hojlund's strike led to Filippo Terracciano's own goal (though many would claim it was the Dane's goal), as the ball deflected off the Cremonese midfielder and tricked the visitors' custodian Emil Audero.
Finally, Kevin De Bruyne exploited a poor reaction of the rivals' defence to make it 3-0 in the final seconds of added time before the break.
The second half was more of a training session for both teams, as neither had the reason to push too much.
Either way, the Neapolitans netted another goal in the 52nd minute through their talented Brazilian, Alisson Santos, while McTominay ruined the chance of completing a brace by poorly executing the 83rd-minute penalty kick, allowing Audero to save his shot.
Following the crushing win, Napoli have a three-point advantage over AC Milan, which host Juventus in a derby clash tomorrow (21.45), while Cremonese are just one spot above the relegation zone, tied in points with Lecce, which could leapfrog them, as they today face the nearly relegated Hellas Verona (21.45).
SERIE A - MATCHDAY 34
Friday
Napoli - Cremonese 4-0 (3-0)
/McTominay 3, Terracciano 45 og, De Bruyne 45+3, Santos 52/
Saturday
16.00: (2.10) Parma (3.30) Pisa (3.70)
19.00: (3.00) Bologna (3.30) Roma (2.40)
21.45: (2.70) Verona (2.95) Lecce (2.90)
Sunday
13.30: (1.95) Fiorentina (3.50) Sassuolo (3.90)
16.00: (5.00) Genoa (3.60) Como (1.80)
19.00: (7.00) Torino (4.75) Inter (1.45)
21.45: (2.90) Milan (3.35) Juventus (2.60)
Monday
19.30: (4.95) Cagliari (3.50) Atalanta (1.85)
21.45: (2.05) Lazio (3.40) Udinese (4.10)
***odds are subject to change***