MONZA 1 - 3 COMO: MATCH REPORT

On Matchday 31 of Serie A, Como won 3-1 at the U-Power Stadium, coming from behind after Dany Mota's early goal.

Nesta’s team looked determined to give their fans something to cheer about and got off to a great start, taking the lead in the 5th minute. Following a long ball from Kyriakopoulos, Dany Mota stole possession from Kempf and slotted the ball into the corner, scoring in the same goal where he netted a brace in the last Monza-Como match. It was the Portuguese forward’s fifth goal of the season, equaling his personal record for goals scored in a Serie A campaign. The Biancorossi kept pressing, and in the 10th minute, a lively Dany Mota appealed for a penalty, but the referee waved play on. Como struggled to respond until the 16th minute, when a brilliant piece of play by Ikoné led to the equaliser — the former Fiorentina man finishing with a left-footed strike at the far post. Buoyed by the goal, Como threatened again in the 20th minute, forcing a save from Turati on Douvikas. Monza replied quickly in the 23rd with a fast counterattack led by Keita, who set up Ciurria, but the visitors managed to neutralise the Biancorossi’s one-two move. Nesta’s side continued to play well. In the 29th minute, Birindelli surged down the flank and crossed to the opposite side for Kyriakopoulos, whose left-footed attempt was blocked by the Como defence. However, Como took the lead in the 39th minute, as Diao broke into the Monza box and beat Turati. The home keeper was blameless and denied Ikoné a second goal with a fine save in the 42nd minute. Monza immediately tried to react, once again finding Dany Mota, who dribbled past Butez, but the play was stopped for offside.

The Biancorossi came out strong in the second half and created a double chance in the 49th minute. First, Keita tested Butez, who was saved by the crossbar, then stopped Dany Mota’s follow-up header. Monza were incredibly unlucky. From the potential 2-2 equaliser, the scoreline flipped to 1-3 just two minutes later, when Vojvoda unleashed a powerful right-footed shot that smashed under the crossbar. At the 56th minute, Nesta made a triple substitution, bringing on Castrovilli, Gagliardini, and Caldirola — the latter marking his 100th appearance in the Biancorossi shirt. Monza didn’t give up, and in the 61st minute, Ciurria set up Dany Mota again, but Butez denied him his second goal of the match. In the 66th minute, Nesta played the Caprari card. Como showed signs of life again in the 76th minute with a shot from Douvikas that went wide. In the 79th minute, Palacios came on. Monza pushed to reopen the game in the final minutes, but the score remained unchanged. Como took the 3-1 win.

In the next round, Monza will play away at Venezia on Saturday, April 12, at 3 PM.