Juventus have broken their streak of four consecutive draws in Serie A, securing a vital victory against Monza, who now find themselves at the bottom of the league table. The Bianconeri faced criticism after their latest stalemate against Venezia, making this match crucial to regain momentum.
In a challenging scenario, Juventus dealt with several injuries, including key players like Danilo and Tim Weah. Weston McKennie was deployed as a makeshift left-back, while Nico Gonzalez adapted to a new role as a trequartista. Monza, on the other hand, was missing several players due to suspensions and injuries, including Daniel Maldini and Andrea Petagna.
The match began with an unusual opportunity for Monza’s Kenan Yildiz, who nearly scored from a deflected clearance. Juventus responded with a corner that led to a chaotic sequence in front of the goal, but it was McKennie who finally broke the deadlock, volleying in from close range after a well-placed corner.
Monza equalized through Samuele Birindelli, who scored his first Serie A goal with a stunning volley from 14 yards out. However, Juventus quickly regained the lead when McKennie assisted Manuel Locatelli’s goal, showcasing his versatility and impact on the game.
Despite some tense moments and missed chances from both sides, Juventus managed to maintain their advantage. The match saw further action with significant saves from both goalkeepers and near misses from various players. Ultimately, Juventus’ resilience paid off as they secured the win, lifting them out of their recent slump and leaving Monza struggling at the foot of the Serie A table.
Goals: McKennie 14 (J), Birindelli 22 (M), Nico Gonzalez 39 (J)
Monza (4-4-2): Turati; Kyriakopoulos, D’Ambrosio, Pablo Marí, Carboni; Birindelli, Bianco, Bondo, Pedro Pereira (71′ Ciurria); Caprari, Mota Carvalho.
Juventus (4-2-3-1): Di Gregorio; Savona, Gatti, Kalulu, McKennie; Locatelli, Koopmeiners (46′ K. Thuram); Conceicao, Nico Gonzalez (63′ Cambiaso), Yildiz; Vlahovic.
