The 25-year-old turned out to be Mourinho’s nemesis as Cremonese secured their first league win of the season.
Super Eagles hopeful David Okereke put in a match-winning performance to help Cremonese secure a stunning victory over AS Roma in their Serie A clash at Giovanni Zini Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The result was a case of lightning striking twice as The Gray and Reds had caused a massive upset against the same opponent after knocking them out of the Coppa Italia at the beginning of this month.
How it happened
Roma were favourites going into the game as Cremonese were winless in Serie A this season after 23 league games.
Mourinho’s men were also on a high after beating RB Salzburg to secure their place in the Europa League round of 16.
The Portuguese tactician made a couple of changes to the side that beat Salzburg, with Gini Wijnaldum making his first start since returning from a long layoff.
Meanwhile, Okereke was part of a front three in Cremonese’s attack, with compatriot Cyriel Dessers settling for a place on the bench.
Roma started on the front foot, as expected, with Cremonese happy to sit back. The away side had the first chance of the game as Leonardo Spinazzola set up Wijnaldum, but the Dutch international’s effort was narrowly inches away.
However, that was as good as it got for Roma, as Cremonese surprisingly took a hold of the game.
Their efforts paid off in the 17th minute as Frank Tsadjout fired an unstoppable volley past Rui Patricio in Roma’s goal after a great cushion from Emanuele Valeri.
Roma tried to respond but Mourinho’s men failed to create any chance as Cremonese went into the break with a surprise lead.
Roma fight back but pay for Okereke’s penalty
The second half resumed with Roma looking for an equaliser, but despite having a majority of the ball, The Yellow and Reds failed to create any clear-cut chances.
Mourinho, who had been sent off after remonstrating with the referee, reacted by making a raft of changes, which included Nemanja Matic, Stephan El Shaarawy, Ola Solbakken and Tammy Abraham all coming in.
The change did work as Roma drew level in the 71st minute through Spinazzola, who did well to finish calmly a brilliant ball from Matic.
Spinazzola’s goal put Roma on the ascendancy but against the run of play, Cremonese were awarded a penalty after Patricio brought down Okereke in the box.
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Daniel Ciofani stepped to convert the winning penalty seven minutes from time. Roma did try to salvage a point, but never threatened the home side.
In the end, Cremonese secured a deserved win, dealing a blow to Roma’s top four aspirations.
The Gray and Reds are now eight points away from the drop while Roma stay in fifth, three points behind Inter Milan and AC Milan, and one point behind city rivals, Lazio.
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