Despite both teams coming into the game with confidence off the back of victories last time out, the opening exchanges saw very few opportunities of note for either side.
With attacking quality at a premium, a moment of inspiration was going to be required to break the deadlock, and with the half-hour mark approaching, Armand Lauriente provided just that. His free-kick from 20 yards flew over the wall and had too much power for Marco Carnesecchi, giving Sassuolo a 1-0 lead with his fifth goal of a stellar campaign.
During the last three seasons in the big five European leagues, only James Ward-Prowse has scored more direct free-kicks than the Frenchman, who now has an impressive five to his name.
Confident in the knowledge that they had won all four games in which Lauriente had scored this season, Alessio Dionisi’s side were able to make the most of their momentum when, shortly after hitting the post through Frank Tsadjout’s header, top scorer Davide Frattesi’s shot on the turn from inside the area found the right corner to give his team a commanding lead at halftime with his sixth goal of the season.
Sassuolo continued their momentum into the second half, with Gregoire Defrel’s shot from the edge of the area coming back off the crossbar 10 minutes after the restart before Carnesecchi reacted sharply to palm Ruan Tressoldi’s snapshot from point-blank range to safety.
Any thoughts of a one-sided conclusion were banished, though, when substitute Cyriel Dessers pounced on Martin Erlic’s wayward header to advance on goal and shoot past Andrea Consigli, halving the deficit and setting up an intriguing last half-hour.
Dessers thought he had earned his team a point with a second goal late on, but in the second minute of stoppage time, Bajrami broke Cremonese hearts with a powerful volley from inside the area.
Victory helps Sassuolo climb to 13th, while Cremo remain 19th and still very much in relegation danger.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Armand Lauriente (Sassuolo)