The U-Power Stadium will host a pivotal Serie A clash on Monday evening as Monza welcome Udinese in a battle between two sides desperately seeking to end their winless runs and climb away from the relegation zone.
Alessandro Nesta’s Monza find themselves in dire straits, having failed to secure a league victory since October. Their midweek Coppa Italia exit, a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Bologna, has only intensified the pressure on the former AC Milan legend.
With just 10 points from 14 matches, Monza are firmly entrenched in the bottom three. Their home form is particularly concerning, as they’ve gone 11 matches without a win at the U-Power Stadium – the longest such streak in Serie A.
Nesta will likely revert to his strongest available XI after rotating for the cup tie. Top scorer Milan Djuric and defensive lynchpin Pablo Mari are expected to return to the starting lineup. However, injuries continue to plague the squad, with Roberto Gagliardini, Matteo Pessina, and Alessio Cragno all sidelined.
Udinese’s promising start under new coach Kosta Runjaic has given way to a worrying slump. The Friulani are winless in their last five outings and have claimed just seven points from their previous 10 matches.
Monza’s leaky defence, particularly vulnerable to headers, will face a stern test against an Udinese side that ranks second in Serie A for headed goals. The aerial prowess of Udinese’s attackers could prove decisive.
Gianluca Caprari’s potential involvement for Monza is intriguing, given his remarkable record of providing an assist in each of his last five Serie A starts against Udinese – a streak unmatched against a single opponent in the last two decades.
Team News
Last week’s 2-0 home defeat to Genoa, in which Isaak Toure was sent off after just four minutes, epitomized their recent struggles. Toure’s suspension for this fixture further complicates matters for Runjaic.
The visitors will also be without injured duo Martin Payero and Alexis Sanchez, with the latter yet to make his second debut for the club since returning in the summer.
Expected Starting XIs
Monza: Turati; Izzo, Mari, Carboni; Pereira, Bianco, Bondo, Kyriakopoulos; Caprari, Mota; Djuric
Udinese: Okoye; Ehizibue, Bijol, Giannetti, Zemura; Lovric, Karlstrom, Zarraga; Thauvin; Lucca, Davis
Match Prediction
While both teams are struggling for form, Udinese’s greater attacking threat and Monza’s vulnerability to headers suggest the visitors might edge this crucial encounter. The Friulani’s direct approach could exploit Monza’s defensive frailties.
Prediction: Monza 1-2 Udinese
