As the Serie A season approaches its midway point, Genoa and Monza prepare to face off in a match with significant implications for both sides. The encounter at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on Monday evening pits a resurgent Genoa against a struggling Monza side desperate to climb off the foot of the table.
Since Patrick Vieira took the helm following Genoa’s dismal start to the campaign, the Grifone have experienced a remarkable turnaround. Losing just twice in their last 11 league outings, Genoa have steadily climbed the table and now find themselves in a comfortable mid-table position.
Despite a recent 3-1 setback against Roma, which saw young midfielder Patrizio Masini net his first Serie A goal, the overall trajectory for Genoa has been positive. The team finally secured their first home victory of the season earlier this month against Parma, a result that brought immense relief to the Rossoblu faithful who have endured a turbulent few years.
In stark contrast, Monza find themselves rooted to the bottom of the Serie A standings, a far cry from their mid-table finishes in their previous two top-flight campaigns. New coach Salvatore Bocchetti, a former Genoa defender, faces the daunting task of engineering an escape from relegation.
While Monza have shown some attacking promise, scoring in nine consecutive Serie A matches for the first time in their history, their defensive frailties have been their undoing. The Brianzoli have failed to keep a clean sheet during this run, highlighting the balancing act Bocchetti must perform to keep his team competitive.
The history between these two sides heavily favors Genoa, particularly at the Marassi. The Grifone have lost just once in 21 league encounters against Monza on home soil, winning 16 times. However, that sole defeat came as recently as last March in a thrilling 3-2 contest.
Genoa will be buoyed by their 1-0 victory in the reverse fixture earlier this season, courtesy of a goal from their top scorer Andrea Pinamonti. Monza, on the other hand, enter this match on a poor run of form, having lost their last three away fixtures. Their only road win this term came back in October, underlining the magnitude of the task ahead.
Team News
Genoa’s injury list has shortened in recent weeks, with Portuguese forward Vitinha and captain Milan Badelj returning to training. However, defender Mattia Bani remains a doubt after picking up a knock against Roma. This could see a reshuffle in the backline, with Stefano Sabelli potentially starting at right-back and Koni De Winter moving to central defense.
In midfield, the partnership of Patrizio Masini and Morten Frendrup will be crucial. Frendrup, in particular, has been a standout performer, leading Europe’s top five leagues in tackles this season with an impressive 71.
Monza’s squad has been hit hard by injuries and suspensions. Key players such as Matteo Pessina, Roberto Gagliardini, and Pablo Mari are all sidelined. The attack will likely be led by Daniel Maldini and Gianluca Caprari, with Dany Mota still recovering from a foot injury.
Expected Starting XIs
Genoa: Leali; Sabelli, De Winter, Vasquez, Martin; Frendrup, Masini; Zanoli, Thorsby, Miretti; Pinamonti
Monza: Turati; D’Ambrosio, Izzo, Carboni, Kyriakopoulos; Ciurria, Bianco, Bondo, Akpa Akpro; Caprari, Maldini
Match Prediction
Given Genoa’s improved form under Vieira and their strong defensive record of six clean sheets in their last 11 league games, they enter this match as favorites. Monza’s attacking threat cannot be discounted, but their defensive vulnerabilities and poor away form suggest they face an uphill battle.
The home side’s newfound resilience, coupled with Monza’s injury woes and low confidence, points towards a narrow Genoa victory. A 1-0 win for the Grifone seems a likely outcome, further cementing their mid-table status while deepening Monza’s relegation fears.
Prediction: Genoa 1-0 Monza
