Varela scores twice as Monza breaks the deadlock

Three crucial points for Monza, who beat Sassuolo 2-1 at the Brianteo in their Serie A Matchday 5 clash.

The Biancorossi came out strong and had two clear chances in the first two minutes, the first from Robinson and the second from Kouadio. Then Mangas tried his luck from distance: the ball sailed high over the crossbar. Sassuolo came out of their shell after a quarter of an hour: Tornqvist made a crucial save on Berardi. The match became evenly matched; Robinson tried to break the deadlock but his curling shot was off target, and Bakola responded, but Tornqvist made another save. The first yellow card goes to Kouadio, who loses the ball and takes down an opponent. Muric is alert to stop Birindelli; Tornqvist makes a miraculous save on Thorstvedt; Cutrone misses his chance from close range; Esposito makes his presence felt but finishes weakly. 0-0 at halftime.

The second half begins with the same starting lineup. Cutrone makes the first run, resulting in a corner kick where Varela is the quickest to react: Muric makes a mistake, and it’s a goal—1-0 in the 52nd minute. Shortly after, Monza makes a triple substitution: Dany Mota, Bakoune, and Foe Ondone come on (replacing Akinsanmiro, Cutrone, and Mangas).

Another corner and another mix-up in the Sassuolo box: Dany Mota was taken down in the box by Esposito, resulting in a penalty that Varela converted with precision, making it 2-0 in the 63rd minute. After those two blows, Sassuolo reacts: first Laurienté and then Cinquegrano threaten Tornqvist’s goal.

A powerful shot by Foe Ondoa goes over the bar; shortly after, two more substitutions for Sassuolo: Berardi and Esposito come off. The Emilian side tried to get back into the game, and Adzic came close: the ball went over the bar. Sassuolo didn’t give up, but Monza held on until the 88th minute, when Adzic’s perfect free kick made it 1-2. Sassuolo nearly tied it at 2-2 (Bowie hit the outside of the post), but that was the final score.