In this five-goal thriller, Monza had total control for an hour, but a late Cremonese comeback nearly cost them the victory.
The hosts were at their lowest point in the season and winless, and they were also without Sernicola, who was out due to suspension, Chiriches, Acella, and Radu, who was hurt. Rovella and Giulio Donati were the only two who were not available when Stefano Sensi returned to the Monza bench.
Gianluca Caprari’s tilted drive was diverted just past the far post, but it served as only a foreboding indicator of Monza’s impending breakthrough. At the by-line, Birindelli did a great job of keeping the ball in play, and Andrea Petagna then passed it off for Patrick Ciurria to score from close range.
After a VAR review revealed Armando Izzo touched the ball before Paolo Ghiglione, Monza was awarded a penalty after Emanuele Valeri’s powerful shot flashed across the goal. Stepping forward, Caprari rubbed Carnesecchi the wrong way.
Cyriel Dessers was in a risky position when he fired inches wide, but he was offside and missed another attempt by a significant margin. Monza nearly added a third goal, but a last-ditch sliding block by Giacomo Quagliata seemed to wake Cremonese up as Di Gregorio was compelled to make an incredible save on a Pickel header from Valeri’s cross shortly afterward.
Dessers’ header required Di Gregorio to step up once more, but Monza instead added a third goal on the break. The move was begun by Caprari with a back-heel flick, and it was completed by Petagna on a return pass.
Daniel Ciofani finally scored by precisely heading Valeri’s cross into the ground after his strong effort was deflected for a corner. A long Valeri cross-field pass that had been blocked by Ciofani fell to Dessers, who drilled it back across the goal face into the far bottom corner to make it 3-2.
Marlon had to hoof it clear as Cremonese attempted to equalise after Ciofani only grazed his head to a corner, putting Di Gregorio to the test. For an hour, Monza seemed to have total control, but they were forced to rely on stoppages.
FOLLOW THIS ARTICLE ON TWITTER
READ MORE;
Inter vs Verona : Match preview, team news and possible lineups
Napoli 5-1 Juventus: Partenopei destroyed Juventus in a frenzy match