Cremonese and Palermo played out a 0-0 draw in their Coppa Italia first-round match on August 17, 2025, a result that sends the tie directly to a penalty shootout to determine who advances. The stalemate was a cagey affair, with both teams prioritizing defensive solidity over attacking adventure in a knockout contest. Clear chances were at a premium throughout the 90 minutes, with the best opportunity falling to Palermo in the first half, but their striker fired straight at the goalkeeper. Cremonese offered little threat going forward, seemingly content to take their chances from the penalty spot. The match was defined by midfield battles and few moments of quality in the final third, reflecting the high stakes of a one-off cup tie. With no extra time in this stage of the competition, the match proceeded directly to penalties after the final whistle. Both managers acknowledged the tense nature of the game, with the Cremonese coach pointing to his team's clean sheet and the Palermo manager expressing confidence in his penalty takers. The starting lineups were full-strength, indicating both clubs' desire to progress in the prestigious domestic cup.