With goals from Obiang and Pessina, Monza defeated Bari 2-0 at the U-Power Stadium, drawing level in the standings with Frosinone, whom they lead on head-to-head record, with four matches remaining in the season.
The visitors from Apulia tried to start strongly and at 3' Maggiore attempted a right-footed free kick, but without success. A clear chance came for the hosts at 4', when Birindelli delivered a left-footed cross and Pissardo denied Ravanelli’s sliding effort. Monza immediately took control of the game and, two minutes later, came close again, first with a dangerous cross-shot from Birindelli and then with a placed left-footed attempt from Pessina that just went wide. The biancorossi continued their dominance at 9' when Colpani made a good run down the right and crossed to the far post, but no teammate was there to finish. “El Flaco” was inspired and, at 19', produced one of his trademark plays: cutting inside onto his left foot and aiming for the far post, only for Pissardo to make a flying save. After half an hour largely dominated by Monza, Bari showed signs of life at 31' with a counterattack led by their young talent Rao, whose low cross was crucially cleared for a corner by a very committed Pessina ahead of Moncini. Monza resumed their attacking rhythm and, at 39', nearly scored from a left-sided corner, with Delli Carri rising highest but sending his header just over the bar. At 41', Birindelli surged down the right and shot toward the far post, but Pissardo was once again decisive, pushing it out for a corner. From the ensuing set piece, the ball again reached the Pisa-born full-back, who narrowly missed with a close-range deflection. The first half ended 0-0, a scoreline that flattered Bari given Monza’s dominance.
However, Monza didn’t have to wait long in the second half to take the lead. At 50', Petagna threaded a superb through ball to Obiang, who calmly placed it into the far corner. It was a crucial second league goal for the Equatorial Guinea midfielder, sparking celebrations at the U-Power Stadium. At 67', Bianco made a triple substitution, bringing on Colombo, Bakoune and Caso, and the changes made an immediate impact. At 73', Caso met Bakoune’s low cross and fired on goal, only to be denied by another great save from Pissardo. On the rebound, Azzi came close to doubling the lead, narrowly missing the near post. Always lively, Caso caused more problems at 76' with a dangerous cross that flashed across the entire Bari penalty area. Monza came within inches of a second goal again at 78': Azzi broke free on the left and crossed for Petagna, whose effort was heroically blocked onto the post by Dorval. The striker, who had already begun to celebrate, was denied by the defender’s intervention.
The well-deserved second goal finally arrived at 80'. The move once again started with a blistering run from Caso, who then picked out Pessina making a forward run; the captain finished first-time with his left foot at the near post. It was his third consecutive goal and fifth of the league campaign, effectively sealing the result. At 83', Bianco substituted the slightly injured Petagna with Alvarez, who almost made it 3-0 shortly after, at the end of another counterattack driven by Caso’s pace.
Monza won 2-0, drawing level with Frosinone and closing the gap on league leaders Venezia, now just three points ahead. In the next round, Bianco’s team will play away at the Marassi against Sampdoria on Friday, April 17th at 8:30 PM.
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