Will the Tardini see another cautious battle? Parma vs Cremonese prediction – 01.09.2026
A knockout tie between two attacks still searching for rhythm at the start of the season
On Tuesday, September 1, 2026, Parma will host Cremonese at Stadio Ennio Tardini in the Coppa Italia Round of 32. Kick-off is scheduled for 18:00 local time, with a place in the Round of 16 against Como at stake. Both teams successfully cleared their first cup hurdle, but their league starts have exposed serious problems in attack.
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Parma: cup progress contrasts with a difficult league start
Carlos Cuesta's side began the competitive season with a convincing 2-0 Coppa Italia victory over Catania. Simone Lontani scored both goals before half-time, underlining his growing importance in a Parma attack that went through major changes during the summer.
The league opener was much less encouraging. Parma lost 0-1 at home to Cagliari and created too little in the final third, despite controlling several spells of the match. The departures of Zion Suzuki, Alessandro Circati and Mateo Pellegrino have forced Cuesta to rebuild important areas of the team, while El Bilal Touré is now expected to carry a significant part of the attacking responsibility.
There is also a confirmed midfield absence. Hans Nicolussi Caviglia underwent surgery on August 28 because of persistent pubalgia and will not be available. That leaves players such as Adrian Bernabé, Mandela Keita and Christian Ordoñez with additional responsibility in the centre of the pitch.
Cremonese: confidence from the cup has quickly disappeared
Cremonese also opened their cup campaign with a 2-0 victory, eliminating Sampdoria thanks to goals from David Stuckler and Tommaso Berti. Andrea Fulignati also saved a penalty, allowing Marco Giampaolo's team to begin the season with a clean sheet and a positive result.
Their Serie B campaign has been far more troubling. Cremonese lost 1-0 away to Empoli before suffering a heavy 3-0 home defeat against Modena. They have therefore failed to score in either of their opening two league games and remain without a point. After the Modena defeat, Giampaolo admitted that his team had been second best technically, physically and tactically.
The latest squad selection shows that Cabianca, Salvatore Elia and Lickunas are available again, giving Giampaolo more options. However, the main problem remains the lack of attacking efficiency. Federico Bonazzoli and Jari Vandeputte provide experience and creativity behind the striker, but Cremonese have struggled to turn possession into clear chances.
Probable lineups
- Parma: Corvi — Delprato, Troilo, Ndiaye, Valeri — Keita, Ordoñez, Bernabé — Lontani, Touré, Almqvist.
- Cremonese: Fulignati — Vogliacco, Bianchetti, Luperto, Pezzella — Gerli, Pontisso — Lickunas, Bonazzoli, Vandeputte — De Luca.
Match facts and head-to-head
Parma's two completed competitive matches this season have ended 2-0 and 0-1, meaning both teams have not scored in either game.
The same trend is even stronger for Cremonese: their first three competitive matches finished 2-0, 0-1 and 0-3, with both teams failing to score in all three.
The teams also met twice in Serie A last season. Cremonese held Parma to a 0-0 draw at home before winning 2-0 at the Tardini in March. Cremonese are unbeaten in the last three head-to-head meetings.
Another low-scoring contest looks likely: Parma vs Cremonese prediction
This knockout tie arrives at a moment when neither attack looks particularly convincing. Parma have home advantage and more individual quality between the lines, but their summer rebuild is still clearly affecting their attacking chemistry. Cremonese, meanwhile, have gone 180 minutes without scoring in Serie B and are coming off an especially poor offensive performance against Modena.
Cup football can create a more aggressive scenario if an early goal arrives, but the evidence so far points in the opposite direction. Every competitive match played by these teams this season has finished without both sides scoring, while neither of last season's two head-to-head meetings produced goals for both teams. With qualification at stake and little reason for either coach to take unnecessary early risks, another controlled and relatively cautious contest looks the most logical scenario.
Prediction: Both teams to score — No.
