When Monza hosts Salernitana in Serie A on Sunday, they will be looking to pull further away from the bottom-half of the standings. If they can win, the visitors could finish in the top half of the table going into the World Cup break.
Monza’s inaugural Serie A season is progressing satisfactorily at the moment with a six-point lead over the relegation zone going into the weekend’s games.
They have undoubtedly had better luck since appointing Raffaele Palladino as their manager in September, but their 1-0 loss to Lazio on Thursday was their fourth setback in their last five league contests.
There was no shame in losing by a slim margin to a team that rose to second in the standings as a result of their victory, but Luka Romero’s goal in the 69th minute ultimately proved to be the difference between the teams on the day.
On Sunday, Palladino will be expecting his team can pick up a win against Salernitana, a team they might consider to be significantly closer to their level. With a win, at the very least, their healthy lead over the bottom three places would be maintained.
Salernitana, of course, is well-versed in avoiding relegation, having managed a remarkable escape in the previous season by collecting 18 points from their last 15 games.
After being named head coach in February, Davide Nicola was in charge for the majority of that run. This time around, though, more is expected of his team because they received a lot of support in the summer transfer market.
Although Salernitana would have been extremely disappointed to see Fiorentina leapfrog them into the top half by defeating them 2-1 on Wednesday, Nicola would likely consider his work to be acceptable with them picking up 17 points from 14 games to sit in 11th position before a ball is kicked this weekend.
Giacomo Bonaventura’s early goal was cancelled out by Boulaye Dia in the first half, and Luka Jovic scored the game-winning goal in the 81st minute. Nicola will be motivated to prevent his team from suffering a second straight loss.
Monza Team News
After the former Arsenal defender was attacked in a mall near Milan last month, Monza will continue to be without him. Stefano Sensi and Andrea Ranocchia are also questionable due to injuries. Nicolo Rovella, who was only used as a substitute during his team’s defeat in Rome on Wednesday, might make a comeback to the starting lineup.
Monza possible starting lineup:
Di Gregorio; Donati, Caldirola, Izzo; Ciurria, Rovella, Andrea Ranocchia, Augusto; Matteo Pessina, Pepin; Petagna
Salernitana Team News
Due to hamstring and knee injuries, Norbert Gyomber and Franck Ribery will not be travelling for Salernitana. Giulio Maggiore will also be hoping for a midfield recall after scoring off the bench against Florence on Wednesday. Dia may also make a comeback to the attack.
Salernitana possible starting lineup:
Sepe; Bronn, Daniliuc, Pirola; Mazzocchi, Maggiore, Bohinen, Coulibaly; Vilhena; Boulaye Dia, Piatek
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