How leaving out David Okereke could cost Cremonese their Serie A status

It was a difficult night for Cremonese, but one moment stood out. That moment came from David Okereke, a player many fans did not expect to see, let alone score, Soccernet.ng reports.

Cremonese were well beaten by Fiorentina, losing 4-1. Yet, in the middle of that heavy defeat, Okereke gave the home fans something to cheer about. Coming on in the second half, he scored in the 57th minute, just 10 minutes after entering the pitch.

It was a calm and confident finish, and it showed something the team has badly missed all season: energy, direct attacking play, and belief in front of goal.

What made the moment even more surprising was his long absence. Okereke had not played at home in over six months. His last appearance at the Zini Stadium came in a 3-2 win over Sassuolo. Since then, he had been left out of the squad for most of the season.

Against Fiorentina, however, he looked sharp and ready. He carried the team’s attacking threat almost on his own after coming on. His ability to run at defenders and create danger immediately made a difference.

Sadly for Cremonese, his goal only reduced the score. The damage had already been done. But it raised an important question: why had a player with such qualities been left out for so long?

Cremonese’s attack has struggled all season. Goals have been hard to come by, and performances have often been flat. Watching Okereke make an impact so quickly only highlights what the team has been missing.

Soccer David Okereke: Cremonese’s costly decision could lead to relegation

Cremonese now sit 18th in Serie A, three points away from safety with only nine games left. Time is running out, and every decision now looks more important than ever.

One decision, in particular, is under the spotlight, the choice to leave Okereke out of the squad for months.

At the start of the season, things looked very different. Okereke was part of the team that won their opening two matches, including an impressive 2-1 victory over AC Milan. He also played in the 3-2 win against Sassuolo.

But after that, everything changed.

Following a failed move away from the club, Okereke was frozen out. From that point on, Cremonese struggled badly. They managed to win just three of their next 25 matches without him playing a meaningful role.

His absence became even more costly as the team’s attacking problems grew worse. While he was away, Cremonese lacked a player who could stretch defences and create chances. It was not until March 2026, ahead of the 2-1 loss at fellow relegation battlers Lecce, that he was finally brought back into the team.

Now, with his goal against Fiorentina, it is clear he still has something to offer.

The big concern for Cremonese is that this decision may have come too late. With only nine matches remaining, they may not have enough time to recover.

If they are relegated, many will look back and point to Okereke’s absence as a key reason. A player who could have helped them stay up was left on the sidelines during their most difficult period.

Now, the club can only hope he can make a difference in the final games of the season. But the damage may already have been done.