The biancorossi started brightly and created plenty of chances, but suffered a defeat in their third pre-season friendly against Aris, with the match ending 3-1 in favor of the visitors.
Monza began the game with great intensity, lining up with Thiam in goal; Kouadio, Delli Carri and Lucchesi in defense; Carboni and Birindelli on the flanks; Pessina and Foe Ondoa in midfield; and Forson, Mota and Cutrone leading the attack. At 2', Aris threatened down the left through Kerkez. The winger reached the byline and delivered a cross into the box, but Delli Carri reacted brilliantly to intercept ahead of Kadewere and concede a corner. Four minutes later, the visitors broke the deadlock. Aris launched a quick counterattack through Kadewere, who kept his composure and slotted the ball into the net. Monza responded with confidence, earning a free kick from long range in an attempt to catch the opposition defense off guard. Forson delivered the set piece into the box, where Foe Ondoa rose highest and sent a header just wide of the target. Pessina and his teammates continued to press. At 17', Birindelli burst down the right and found Pessina, whose first touch was stopped by Jensen. Cutrone reacted quickest to the loose ball, but his powerful right-footed effort drifted wide. Four minutes later, Foe Ondoa tried his luck from the edge of the area, only to be denied by the gloves of Dioudis.
Aris pushed forward again and doubled their lead at 30' through Racic. Two minutes later, Monza came agonizingly close to pulling one back. First, Cutrone forced an excellent save from Dioudis, who tipped his shot behind for a corner. From the resulting set piece, Delli Carri rose above the defense but narrowly missed the target with his header. The biancorossi kept attacking, but Aris defended resolutely and held firm. Just before halftime, Monza threatened once more as Cutrone combined well with Forson before firing a powerful right-footed shot that skimmed past the post.
The pattern remained the same after the break. Ivan Juric's side stayed on the front foot and, at 55', substitute Attinasi burst down the left before picking out Forson in the box, but his shot was blocked. Among the fresh faces introduced in the second half was Varela, who made his debut in front of the Monza supporters. At 58', the new signing escaped Antoniadis' marking and, after being played through by Forson, struck towards goal. The defender recovered well and deflected the effort behind for a corner. Aris threatened again at 78' when Boussaid found himself one-on-one with Pizzignacco, but the midfielder wasted a golden opportunity. At 84', Dele-Bashiru timed his run perfectly, received the ball in the box and scored Aris' third goal of the afternoon. Monza continued to push until the very end and, in stoppage time, Andrea Colpani beat the goalkeeper to reduce the deficit.
At the final whistle, the match ended in a 3-1 victory for Aris.
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