Coppa Italia: Okereke ends 7-game goal drought as Cremonese beat 10-man Modena

Nigerian forward David Okereke has scored his first goal in seven matches for Serie A side U.S Cremonese. 

Okereke opened the scoring as Cremonese sealed a 4-2 victory over their Serie B visitors in the second round of the Coppa Italia on Thursday evening.

The 25-year-old started on the bench alongside compatriot, Cyriel Dessers, who watched the entire game as an unused substitute.

After playing for almost an hour without a breakthrough, Cremonese brought on Okereke and the Nigerian forward repaid his manager's faith.

19 minutes after he came on, Okereke towered above everyone to head home the game's opening goal. It was his first goal in seven matches across all competitions for the club, bringing an end to his drought. 

It was as much as dramatic a match at the Stadio Giovanni Zini as it was a game of substitutes for the home side in the Coppa Italia second round.

However, Cremonese needed extra time to see off a gallant Modena, who played most of the game with 10 men after Luca Magnino was sent off in the 22nd minute.

The newly promoted Serie A side had their substitutes to thank after all four goals were scored by them.

Okereke opened the floodgates before Ghanaian international, Felix Afena-Gyan doubled the advantage. 

Modena wouldn't go down without a fight after two late goals from David Diaw saw them come from two goals down to equalise at 2-2 at force the game into extra time.

Another Cremonese substitute, Leonardo Sernicola, however, would steal the show after he netted a brace in extra time to give Cremonese a comfortable result in the end.