PESSINA BREAKS AVELLINO'S RESISTANCE AT 86': MONZA WINS 2-1

With Cutrone’s first goal in biancorosso shirt and Pessina’s first of the season, Monza came from behind to beat Avellino 2-1, claiming their third consecutive win and overtaking Frosinone in the standings to move into sole second place.

Bianco’s side pushed immediately, with Azzi’s first burst down the left coming after less than a minute and unsettling the Avellino defence. The “Lupi” weathered the pressure and grew in confidence, also backed by the many travelling supporters in attendance. After a balanced spell, at 18' Obiang won back possession and played the ball into the box, where Dany Mota struck first time with his right foot: Daffara saved for a corner with the help of the post. The visiting goalkeeper was alert again to tip Delli Carri’s header over the bar, made dangerous by Enrici’s deflection. From the resulting corner, Dany Mota once more went close with a header.

Monza kept pressing and deserved the lead. At 25' a flowing move by the hosts ended with Obiang firing over with his right foot. Persistence paid off three minutes later when Azzi drove forward and struck powerfully, the ball striking Enrici’s hand. After almost exactly a year, it looked like Monza would finally be awarded a penalty, but referee Marinelli overturned his initial decision after a VAR review. Avellino escaped and at 31' created their first real chance, Biasci unleashing a powerful right-footed shot that Thiam brilliantly pushed out for a corner.

Monza went back on the attack and at 37' Delli Carri went close again with a header in a crowded box: Le Borgne cleared, also denying a possible follow-up from Obiang. The match opened up, with Avellino trying their luck at 38', but Patierno’s diagonal effort was too weak. Monza remained in control and looked to go into the break ahead. At 42' Colpani curled a fine left-footed shot that Daffara parried, and Azzi fired the rebound wide with his right. The teams went in level at 0-0.

The second half followed the same pattern, with Monza attacking. At 48' Dany Mota appealed for a penalty after contact from Le Borgne, but Marinelli waved play on. The Portuguese forward then tried to break the deadlock with a header a minute later, but it went over. Monza looked close to scoring, yet at 53' it was Avellino who took the lead. Biasci beat Thiam with a precise right-footed shot into the corner, scoring his fourth goal in the last two matches.

Monza responded immediately. Dany Mota was denied at the last moment in a scramble, then at 56' Daffara again said no to Colpani. The duel was repeated at 59', with the visiting keeper once more blocking the Flaco’s dangerous effort. The hosts laid siege to the Avellino box and came close to equalising with Carboni’s header from the ensuing corner. At 60' Bianco made a double change, bringing on Caso and Cutrone.

Monza attacked relentlessly. At 62' Fontanarosa made a last-ditch intervention to deny Birindelli, who was ready to tap in at the far post. A minute later Carboni rose highest in a crowded box, but Daffara saved again. Then Enrici slid in from behind to bring down Obiang, yet once more no penalty was awarded, to the disbelief of the home side. Bianco next played the Ciurria card and then, at 75', sent on Alvarez and Colombo for the final assault.

Monza’s efforts were rewarded at 78' when Cutrone scored his first goal in Monza colours with a superb header from a deflected Ciurria cross. Huge joy for the striker and pandemonium at the U-Power Stadium, as Bianco’s team now believed even more in a comeback. The pressure continued and at 82' Caso fired a dangerous right-footed shot that narrowly missed the top corner.

The long-awaited penalty arrived at 85', after a decisive handball by Fontanarosa, and this time the decision stood. Monza had not been awarded a penalty since 9th February 2025, in the Serie A match away at Lazio. Captain Pessina stepped up and coolly converted at 86', scoring his crucial first goal of the season. The comeback was complete and celebrations erupted at the U-Power Stadium.

Avellino were unable to mount a real response, and after five minutes of added time Monza celebrated their second consecutive 2-1 comeback win. It was a great show of character from Bianco’s side, who also gained revenge on the Irpini after the defeat in the first meeting and climbed into sole second place, three points behind league leaders Venezia. The biancorossi will return to action on Wednesday 11th February at 7:00 PM away to Südtirol.