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Cremonese's dream start continues after Mussolini relative stars on debut

Marco M. Mantovani / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The great-grandson of Italian dictator Benito Mussolini hailed as unforgettable his Serie A debut on Friday after he came off the bench to help Cremonese beat Sassuolo 3-2.

Cremonese will be top of Serie A overnight after Romano Floriani Mussolini won the penalty which Manuel De Luca converted for his side's third goal, giving Davide Nicola's team a perfect six points from their opening two league fixtures of the season.

Floriani Mussolini replaced Alessio Zerbin on the right wing in the 82nd minute at the Stadio Giovanni Zini and made an impact with a bright display before being brought down by Alieu Fadera in stoppage time.

"Too many things happened in too little time, I don't think I'll ever forget tonight because I've always dreamed of making my debut in Serie A," said Floriani Mussolini, who has the name "Romano" on his shirt.

"My goal was to make a difference and I'm happy that I managed to do that."

Floriani Mussolini is the son of Alessandra Mussolini, a former Italian and European MP and the granddaughter of the fascist dictator who ruled Italy from 1922 to 1943.

The 22-year-old, who has said in the past that he has no interest in politics, is on loan at Cremonese from Lazio, where he came through the youth ranks after previously playing for their local rivals Roma.

Last season he played in Serie B for Juve Stabia, where some fans celebrated his first goal for the club by doing fascist salutes and shouting his surname.

Floriani Mussolini could soon have Jamie Vardy as a teammate as the former Leicester City striker and Premier League winner is in talks to join to the promoted team as a free agent.

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