Cremonese manager Marco Giampaolo has heaped praise on veteran striker Jamie Vardy, calling him "the prototype of the ideal striker" after the English forward helped keep his team's Serie A survival hopes alive with a crucial performance.

In a must-win clash against already-relegated Pisa, Vardy broke a lengthy goal drought—his first start in nearly two months and first goal since January—to set Cremonese on their way to a commanding 3-0 victory. Federico Bonazzoli and David Okereke added the finishing touches as the Grigiorossi seized the opportunity after learning Lecce had lost to Juventus the night before.

"We needed to win, there was no other alternative," Giampaolo told DAZN Italia. "It was also crucial to show the right attitude. Sometimes, just seeing the posture of your players at the start tells you if they're ready to win or not. I wanted the team to keep this small flame of hope alive—and that's exactly what we did."

Pisa's task became even harder after going down to nine men, with Rosen Bozhinov and Loyola both receiving red cards. But it was Vardy who stole the spotlight, reminding everyone why he remains a force at 38 years old.

"Vardy isn't a player. He is The Player," Giampaolo emphasized. "He does something different to normal players. I've been fortunate to work with a few who share these characteristics—those who shoulder responsibility and are always switched on. Of those I've coached in the past, the one he most reminds me of is Fabio Quagliarella. Vardy might be 38, but the way he approaches the game and strikes the ball is exceptional. He's the prototype of the ideal striker."

Giampaolo, who took over mid-season, noted that Vardy's impact has been limited by injury until now. "I only really had him for my first game, then he got injured," the coach explained. "His presence—and therefore his absence—has been massive."

With just two rounds remaining, Cremonese now sit within striking distance of safety. For fans and neutrals alike, seeing a striker of Vardy's caliber—drawing comparisons to Italian legend Quagliarella—still making headlines in Serie A is a testament to his enduring class and the timeless appeal of a true goal-scorer's instinct.