“Hernani broke the deadlock for Monza, scoring against the run of play after coming on as a second-half substitute. Catanzaro had controlled possession for much of the game but had little to show for it, and Monza punished them with a clinical finish.”
Pivotal“Giuseppe Caso put the result beyond any doubt, finishing coolly in the 89th minute after Federico Di Francesco had tested Catanzaro moments earlier with a left-footed shot. The goal came shortly after fresh legs were introduced through Oudin and D'Alessandro.”
Pivotal“A fractious stoppage time saw three yellow cards issued — to Jacopo Petriccione for arguing, Giuseppe Caso and Marco D'Alessandro for a foul — reflecting the frustration of the Catanzaro players and the intensity of the closing exchanges.”
Catanzaro
Monza
Catanzaro dominated the ball — 62% possession, 514 passes, 11 shots — but their attacking output was largely toothless, managing just one shot on target all game. Monza, by contrast, were economical and clinical, content to sit deep, absorb pressure and strike on the counter. The visitors completed 18 tackles to Catanzaro's seven, underlining a disciplined defensive shape that frustrated the hosts throughout. Hernani broke the deadlock on 77 minutes with a goal against the run of play, and substitute Giuseppe Caso buried a second in the 89th to give the scoreline a ruthless complexion. The result confirms Monza as a side capable of grinding out results in difficult away environments, while Catanzaro's inability to convert dominance into chances will be a source of serious frustration.
Marco D Alessandro receives a yellow card.
Giuseppe Caso receives a yellow card.
Giuseppe CasoShot by Giuseppe Caso with his right foot finds the back of the net.
assist: Andrea Petagna
Goal! Giuseppe Caso scores, making it 0-2.
Federico Di Francesco takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Marco D Alessandro replaces Mattia Liberali.
Remi Oudin is on, and Pietro Iemmello is off.
Andrea PetagnaYellow CardAndrea Petagna receives a yellow card.
Federico Di Francesco takes a right-footed shot but misses.
HernaniHernani Azevedo Junior takes a shot with his right foot and scores.
Fabio Rispoli replaces Simone Pontisso.
Federico Di Francesco comes on for Gabriele Alesi.
Pedro Mba Obiang Avomo replaces Perico, with Patrick Cutrone coming off.
Giuseppe Caso is on, and Leonardo Colombo is off.
Filippo Pittarello takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Matias Antonini Lui attempts a header but misses the shot.
Gabriele Alesi takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Filippo Pittarello takes a shot with his head, but it hits the post.
Andrea Petagna is on, and Dany Mota Carvalho is off.
Simone Pontisso takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Matteo Pessina takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Hernani Azevedo Junior is on, and Andrea Colpani is off.
The first half ends with a score of 0-0.
Leonardo ColomboYellow CardLeonardo Colombo receives a yellow card.
Patrick Cutrone takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
Mattia Liberali's left-footed shot is blocked.
Simone Pontisso takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Filippo Delli Carri comes on for Luca Ravanelli.
Filippo Pittarello takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Patrick Cutrone's right-footed shot is saved.
Adam Bakoune takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Patrick Cutrone's right-footed shot is saved.
Paulo Azzi takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Samuele Birindelli takes a right-footed shot that hits the post.
Outstanding performance
Catanzaro•MidfielderHow entertaining was this match?
The Stadio Nicola Ceravolo hosts a high-stakes Serie B promotion playoff clash as 5th-placed Catanzaro take on 3rd-placed Monza, with both sides dreaming of a top-flight return. These teams drew 1-1 at this same ground back in April, so expect another tight, tense battle with everything on the line.
