Serie A | Verona 0-0 Cremonese – Vardy kept quiet on debut | OneFootball

Hellas Verona and Cremonese had to settle for a goalless draw at the Bentegodi on Monday evening in a game that brought a Serie A debut for former Leicester City star Jamie Vardy.

Vardy had to settle for a place among the substitutes to start off with: Davide Nicola making just one change to his Cremonese side that beat Sassuolo 3-2 prior to the international break. There were four changes to the Verona side following their 4-0 defeat by Lazio last time out.

You can see how the action unfolded on the Football Italia Liveblog.

VERONA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 15: Gift Orban of Hellas Verona FC battles for possession with Jari Vandeputte of US Cremonese during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and US Cremonese at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on September 15, 2025 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

It was Verona who dominated in terms of the early chances. Brazilian Giovane had his fair share of shots, some more threatening than others.

Gift Orban also should have scored with 10 minutes of the opening period left to play, but took one touch too many in the area after being slipped in by Suat Serdar, and Emil Audero was able to produce the save at his near post.

It was, however, an unfortunate start to life in Verona for Roberto Gagliardini, who was taken off just over half an hour into his debut with what looked like a potential dislocated shoulder.

VERONA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 15: Roberto Gagliardini of Hellas Verona FC receives a medical help during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and US Cremonese at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on September 15, 2025 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

The introduction of former England international Vardy came just shy of the hour mark at the Bentegodi. He came on alongside fellow debutant Jeremy Sarmiento and Alberto Grassi, replacing Federico Bonazzoli, Jari Vandeputte and Warren Bondo.

Cremonese tried to play to Vardy’s strengths, attempting to feed him with balls in behind, but Verona were well set-up and opportunities across the 90 were fairly limited for La Cremo.

Vardy tried to open the scoring with a flick on Franco Vasquez’s speculative ball into the area with 10 minutes to go, but it was easily dealt with by Lorenzo Montipo.

In the end, neither side were able to find the back of the net, which leaves Verona in 16th place in the table with two points from three games, while Cremonese’s undefeated record remains intact with seven points from a possible nine to start the 2025-26 campaign.

Verona 0-0 Cremonese