Cremonese's 1st Serie A win in 24 matches comes at Roma's expense

Paris, Feb 28, 2023 (AFP) - Jose Mourinho received a red card as Roma lost to bottom club Cremonese on Tuesday and missed a chance to finish the weekend inside the Serie A top three.

Cremonese's first league victory of the season lifted them off the bottom, one point above Sampdoria, but still eight points below Spezia just above the relegation zone.

Roma started the weekend in third and could have returned there with a win but instead end the round in fifth and pushed out of the Champions League places by neighbours Lazio.

Frank Tsadjout gave the home team the lead with a 17th-minute missile.

Roma monopolized possession but struggled to breach a compact defense.

Mourinho was shown a red card for vehement protests after the restart.

Roma made five changes just after the hour, among those were attackers Tammy Abraham, Stephan El Shaarawy, and Ola Solbakken.

Wing-back Leonardo Spinazzola leveled with a cool finish after a well-worked move in the 71st minute.

In the 83rd minute, Roma goalkeeper Rui Patricio came for a cross and knocked over David Okere, conceding a penalty converted by Daniel Ciofani.