Cremonese manager Marco Giampaolo watched in awe as 39-year-old Jamie Vardy tore around the pitch on Sunday and said the former Leicester City striker was on a "superior level" after his goal against Udinese gave them a fighting chance of Serie A survival.
Vardy, who scored 200 goals in 500 appearances for Leicester before joining Cremonese last year, netted the only goal in a 1-0 win that left Cremonese one point from safety heading into the final match of the season.
“Vardy is a great player, he relishes the match situation and wants to be a protagonist,” Giampaolo told DAZN.
“When he accelerates, he’s pushing so hard that he leaves welts in the turf. You realise when you are dealing with a player of a superior level."
Vardy missed four games due to a muscle injury but has helped Cremonese regain momentum on his return, scoring in a 3-0 win over already relegated Pisa last week.
They finish their campaign against Como on Sunday while Lecce take on Genoa.