Daniel Maldini emerged as a key player in Monza’s 2-1 victory over Fiorentina on Monday night, helping to keep the team’s hopes alive in the Serie A. This match marked Monza’s second win of the season and the first under new head coach Salvatore Bocchetti.
The game began with Fiorentina creating an early opportunity, but Albert Gudmundsson’s shot from a promising position sailed over the crossbar. A potential penalty for Fiorentina was quickly overturned after a VAR review, which revealed that Andrea Sottil had collided with Monza defender Pablo Marì rather than being fouled.
Monza’s first real chance came in the 24th minute when Warren Bondo’s attempt from outside the box went wide. Just before halftime, Patrick Ciurria scored his first goal since May 2023, giving Monza a crucial lead. After a long ball into the box, Ciurria capitalized on a defensive error to curl a shot into the far corner.
In the second half, Fiorentina pushed back and nearly equalized, but Andrea Carboni made a vital clearance off a dangerous cross from Dodo. Maldini extended Monza’s lead in the 62nd minute with a right-footed volley from a Pedro Pereira cross, showcasing his skill just as Italy’s national team coach Luciano Spalletti watched from the stands.
Fiorentina made changes, bringing in new signing Michael Folorunsho shortly after Maldini’s goal. The visitors found their way back into the match when Lucas Beltran earned and converted a penalty ten minutes later, despite goalkeeper Stefano Turati guessing the right direction.
Maldini remained influential for Monza, attempting another shot that went over the bar and providing an assist opportunity for Milan Djuric, who couldn’t trouble Fiorentina’s goalkeeper David de Gea. In the closing moments, Fiorentina had two chances to level the score but failed to capitalize; Christian Kouame missed with a header while Jonathan Ikoné could not find space for an effective shot.
Fiorentina have now lost three of their last four Serie A matches and sits four points behind the top four teams. Meanwhile, Monza remains at the bottom of the table but is now six points adrift of safety. The victory provides a much-needed boost for Bocchetti’s side as they strive to climb out of relegation trouble.
Goals:
Monza (3-4-2-1): Turati; Izzo, Marì (46′ Martins), Carboni; Bianco (93′ Vignato), Bondo, Akpa Akpro (93′ Valoti), Pedro Pereira; Ciurria, Caprari (58′ Djuric); Maldini (90′ Petagna)
Fiorentina (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Dodò, Comuzzo, Ranieri, Gosens (68′ Parisi); Adli, Richardson (62′ Folorunsho); Colpani (68′ Ikoné), Gudmundsson (46′ Beltran), Sottil (75′ Kouame); Kean.
