Super Eagles strikers David Okereke and Cyriel Dessers were in action for Cremonese against AS Roma on Monday.
The Nigerian strikers partnered upfront for Cremonese at a sold-out Stadio Olimpico in the Serie A clash.
Their combination caused the Jose Mourinho’s side problems all day, however, they couldn’t prevent Cremonese from losing 1-0.
While Roma tried to hit on the counter, Cremonese kept possession and played out from the back into the opposition half.
They almost took the lead in the first half, Cyriel Dessers seeing his acrobatic bicycle-kick whistle inches wide of the upright.
Cremonese had another big chance straight after the restart, as Dessers controlled a long ball over the top, held off Gianluca Mancini, and the half-volley thumped the crossbar with Rui Patricio beaten.
The chances kept coming for Cremonese and for the second time Cyriel Dessers well-taken bicycle kick went inches wide.
Roma however went ahead a few minutes later when Lorenzo Pellegrini sent a free kick to the back post for the Smalling free header.
Cremonese almost equalized in the final minute, as Charles Pickel from the edge of the box unleashed a control and volley that clipped the outside of the upright.
Okereke and Dessers played the entire minutes for the PhD students who are yet to pick a point in the league.