Bologna clinched their first victory of the season, defeating Monza 2-1 in an exciting Serie A encounter. The win was powered by Kacper Urbanski’s clever looping header and a spectacular long-range strike from Santiago Castro, leaving Monza still searching for their first win of the campaign.
Both teams entered the match without a victory under their new coaches, having managed just three points from their opening four rounds. Monza, coming off a 1-1 draw with Inter, were missing several key players including Alessio Cragno and Patrick Ciurria. Bologna, fresh from a Champions League draw with Shakhtar Donetsk, also had their share of absentees, with Tommaso Pobega joining a list of injured players.
The match started with both sides creating chances. Dan Ndoye tested Monza goalkeeper Stefano Turati early on, while Bologna’s Nicola Ravaglia made an impressive save to deny Pedro Pereira’s header from a corner.
Bologna broke the deadlock with a moment of brilliance from Urbanski. The young midfielder expertly steered a looping header from Charalampos Lykogiannis’ cross, guiding it around the goalkeeper and in off the far post.
Monza equalized when Daniel Maldini’s long-range effort was parried by Ravaglia into the path of Djuric, who turned in the rebound from a difficult angle.
However, Bologna had the final say as Castro unleashed a ferocious right-footed strike from distance that flew into the top corner, securing the 2-1 victory for the visitors.
This result marks a significant milestone for Bologna and their new coach, while Monza will need to regroup as they continue their search for a first win of the season.
Goals: Urbanski 24 (B), Djuric 43 (M), Castro 80 (B)
Monza (3-4-2-1): Turati; Izzo (82′ Bondo), Marì, Carboni; Pereira (88′ D’Ambrosio), Bianco, Pessina, Kyriakopoulos; Mota (71’ Caprari), Maldini(71’ Forson); Djuric (82′ Maric)
Bologna (4-2-3-1): Ravaglia; De Silvestri (78′ Posch), Lucumi, Casale (46′ Beukema), Lykogiannis; Aebischer, Freuler; Urbanski (78′ Moro), Ndoye, Odgaard (71’ Iling); Castro
