A PENALTY FROM FRANZONI GIVES ENTELLA THE VICTORY

On the final day of the first half of the Serie BKT season, Virtus Entella beat Monza 1-0 in Chiavari thanks to a penalty by Franzoni at 84’.

The sun is shining on the synthetic pitch at Sannazzari. At 5,’ first chance for Monza: Ciurria's cross from the left and Colombo's header, with the ball wide. Entella responded at 8’ when Debenedetti tried to catch Thiam in the lob, but the Senegalese goalkeeper was reactive in the rebound. At 14’ corner by Keita and a break away by Delli Carri who missed the goal. Bianco's team insists, wanting to unlock a difficult race. At 18’’ Azzi comes back from the left and shoots, almost hitting the far post. At 20’ Pessina started a splendid ground ball move by the biancorossi, which ended with a violent shot from Birindelli that Colombi sent for a corner. The hosts survive and make their presence felt again at 22’, but Thiam is also alert to Karic's poisonous cross-shot. The Ligurians began to gain courage and at 29’’ came close to making it 1-0 with former player Marconi failing to turn the ball into the net at the far post after a tight corner. From a possible 1-0 point on, they risked moving to 0-1 after a minute with a quick counterattack from Dany Mota, whose cross Keita arrived with a bit of a delay. At halftime it's 0-0.

At the start of the second half, Mister Bianco gave new signing Hernani his debut immediately. The Brazilian comes in with personality and at 49’ shoots with his right foot: Colombi blocks. Monza wants the lead and attacks. At 53’ Keita volleys with a sure shot, but the Ligurian defence deflects it into a corner. Entella also saved himself in the corner from Hernani's free kick at 57’. Bianco plays a triple substitution at 62’ and brings on Petagna, Alvarez and Colpani. It's a super offensive Monza that crushes Entella in their own half. At 65’ Colpani danced on the byline and crossed that Petagna almost deflected into the net. The Ligurians made their presence felt again at 67’ when Debenedetti fired from a good position, but Thiam blocked it without any problems. Biancorossi protests because the action is taking place with Ravanelli on the ground. The defender, injured, leaves the field shortly after to Lucchesi. Monza attacked with their heads down and came close to taking the lead again at 73’, with Azzi's cross and Alvarez's header blocked by Colombi. Bianco's team that doesn't give up would deserve the goal. At 75’ Petagna's splendid side turns in the area and supports Alvarez, but the home defense still survives. The away goal seemed to be in the air and instead at 81’ the penalty arrived for Entella, awarded due to a contact between Thiam and Guiu. Monza protests, but the decision is also confirmed by VAR. Franzoni goes from the penalty spot and converts for l’1-0 at 84’. Monza dives back forward and besieges the Ligurian area. Colpani volleys with his right foot at 87’, but his shot is blocked. Vibrant finish. Thiam saved from Franzoni by avoiding a 2-0 Ligurian counterattack. The Brianza team tried until the very end, but were unable to avoid defeat. It ends 1-0 in Chiavari.

The next round will feature a big match between Monza and Frosinone at the U-Power Stadium on Saturday 17th January at 3:00 PM.