SUPER MONZA: 2-0 WIN OVER GALATASARAY IN LINZ FRIENDLY

Prestigious victory for Ivan Juric’s Monza, who defeated Galatasaray 2-0 in a friendly in Linz thanks to goals from Carboni and Cutrone.

The biancorossi started with confidence, showing off their brand-new white Nike kit. At 2', Colpani made a sharp run down the right and won a corner, from which Delli Carri fired a left-footed effort over the bar. Juric’s side, playing their second pre-season friendly, controlled possession well and gave the Turkish champions no chances. At 10', Dany Mota came close to opening the scoring with a low left-footed shot after a defensive mistake by Galatasaray. The Turkish side threatened at 18' when Sallai’s deflected effort failed to trouble Thiam. Monza, however, looked far more dangerous and at 22' Birindelli burst down the right: his driven cross-shot was pushed behind for a corner by goalkeeper Güvenc. From the resulting set piece came the biancorossi’s opening goal, as Carboni turned the ball home from close range after Cutrone’s acrobatic volley. Monza deservedly took the lead at 23' through the Sardinian defender, who celebrated with his teammates. Galatasaray failed to respond, while Juric’s team kept pushing and at 25' nearly doubled their advantage. Cutrone broke free down the right and squared for Dany Mota, whose left-footed effort narrowly missed the target once again. Monza continued to play excellent football in search of a second goal and came close again at 40'. Lucchesi produced a superb through ball for Dany Mota, who tested the Turkish goalkeeper once more, but Güvenc came to his side’s rescue. The first half ended with Monza leading 1-0.

Galatasaray tried to raise the tempo at the start of the second half and at 47' a long ball from the back found Karatas, whose low left-footed strike on the run flashed just wide of the far post. The biancorossi responded immediately and doubled their lead. A brilliant passing move involving Cutrone, Colpani and Dany Mota ended with the latter unleashing a powerful right-footed shot. Güvenc could only parry, and Cutrone reacted quickest to slot the rebound low into the far corner with his right foot. Juric’s side earned warm applause and also gave opportunities to several young players, including Ballabio, whose cross at 57' created a dangerous scramble in the box that saw Carboni come close to grabbing his second goal. Another decisive save from Güvenc prevented Monza from making it 3-0. At 63', Juric rotated several players, while Galatasaray also turned to their bench. Among the substitutes introduced by the Turkish side was former Napoli star Osimhen, who came close to scoring with a left-footed effort at 71'. Monza remained composed, with the young biancorossi also impressing in a stadium dominated by a lively atmosphere and a large contingent of Turkish supporters.

The match ended 2-0 in favour of the biancorossi, who secured an important and morale-boosting victory ahead of the challenges to come. Monza will return to action for their next pre-season friendly on Thursday, 30th July at 6:00 PM against Aris FC at the Centro Sportivo Silvio and Luigi Berlusconi-Monzello.

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