Monza privateer in Catanzaro, return to Serie A just a step away

There are still ninety minutes to play, but Monza glimpses ever closer to a return to Serie A. After the big scare against Juve Stabia, the biancorossi take a decisive step toward promotion by beating Catanzaro 2-0 in the first leg of the final playoff match. The Calabrians played an intense match, even hitting a crossbar, but were punished in the final by Hernani’s goals at 77′ and Caso’s at 91′.

In the space of a week everything changed for Monza: from the double disadvantage suffered against Juve Stabia in the first semifinal, to the very heavy victory obtained on the field of Catanzaro. The start was immediately lively, with the Brianzoli coming close to taking the lead thanks to the crossbar hit by Birindelli and the chances created by Cutrone, stopped several times by Pigliacelli’s decisive interventions. Catanzaro also responded, however: Pittarello, Pontisso and Liberali engaged the host defense, but the first half ended 0-0.

In the second half, the hosts increased the pressure and went close to scoring again, especially with Pontisso and Pittarello, who hit the crossbar. Right at the Giallorossi’s best moment, however, came the turning point of the match. At 77′ Hernani, fundamental to give balance to Monza’s midfield, lets off a powerful shot from the distance that beats Pigliacelli and signs the 1-0.

Catanzaro tries to react and comes close to equalizing with D’Alessandro, but in the recovery it still pays dearly for the lack of concreteness. At 91′ Caso closed the accounts definitively with the 2-0 goal, giving Monza a very heavy advantage in view of the return.

In front of their own public, the Brianzoli will be able to afford even a defeat with only one goal difference to win promotion. Catanzaro, on the other hand, will need a real feat to reopen the discussion and drag the challenge to at least extra time.