MONZA-CREMONESE 2-3: NGONGE AND ANTOV ON TARGET IN THE FRIENDLY

During the first international break, AC Monza take on US Cremonese in a friendly test. The match ends 2-3: in the first half, Ngonge opens the scoring, De Luca responds to restore parity, while in the second half Baschirotto puts Cremonese back ahead, Antov equalises and Elia seals the victory.

The team coached by Juric starts strongly, showing great organisation, intensity and determination from the opening minutes. The deadlock is broken at 7': first Mota Carvalho is denied by the opposing defence, then Ngonge takes aim from the rebound and scores his first goal in a biancorosso shirt. The ball finds the corner, leaving Fulignati with no chance. The visitors push forward and look to respond to going behind. At 13', Barros Cabezas tries to inspire his teammates and attempts to trouble Strajnar from distance, but his right-footed effort goes wide. The equaliser arrives just a minute later: De Luca is quickest to react to Strajnar’s fine save from Thorsby’s attempt and restores parity. At 27', Zeballos takes centre stage. The forward beats two opponents, finds space to unleash a right-footed shot and tests Fulignati, who uses his gloves to parry the effort behind for a corner, denying a potential second goal for the biancorossi. At 39', Cremonese threaten down the right with Collocolo, but Carboni makes a decisive tackle to deflect the cross intended for the penalty area behind for a corner.

After the break, both teams introduce fresh legs from the bench and the tempo remains high. At 51', Elia picks out Licina in the box from the right flank. He shoots first time, but Strajnar is well positioned between the posts and makes the save. Cremonese take the lead again at 52' from a corner. Baschirotto, played in by Elia, gets away from his marker and heads home. At 53', Cutrone strikes the ball powerfully towards goal, but Festa makes the save. Monza come close to an equaliser at 69': Colpani spots Antov’s run into the box and picks him out. The defender shoots and hits the post. A minute later, Antov causes problems for the visitors’ defence once again: Colpani delivers a perfectly weighted left-footed cross for the defender, who gets away from his marker, rises highest and heads home with a powerful leap to make it 2-2. The match remains alive and continues to produce chances until the final minutes: at 83', Elia puts Cremonese back in front. Monza push for an equaliser until the end, with Colpani leading the charge, but the final whistle confirms a 2-3 scoreline.

On Saturday 3rd October 2026, AC Monza will face Stade Brestois 29 at Stade Francis-Le Blé in Brest.

AC MONZA-US CREMONESE 2-3

GOALS: 7’ Ngonge (MON), 14’ De Luca (CRE), 51' Baschirotto (CRE), 70’ Antov (MON), 83' Elia (CRE)

AC MONZA: Strajnar, Lucchesi (Colonnese 46'), Maye, Foe Ondoa (Mariani 85'), Colombo (Akinsanmiro 61'), Zeballos (Folorunsho 61'), Mota Carvalho (Cutrone 46'), Ngonge (Colpani 61'), Antov, Carboni (Attinasi 46'), Ballabio N. Substitutes: Ballabio A., Rota Bulò, Villa, Varesis, Scifo. Head coach: Ivan Juric

US CREMONESE: Fulignati (Festa 46'), Thorsby (Marsi 56'), Pezzella (Rocchetti 46'), Luperto (Grassi 46'), Baschirotto (Bianchetti 56'), De Luca (Djuric 56'), Licina (Bonazzoli 56'), Collocolo (Gerli 56'), Nasti (Elia 46'), Barros Cabezas (Herzuah 46', Bignamini 71'), Vogliacco (Barbieri 56'). Substitutes: Agazzi, Liberali, Villa. Head coach: Fabio Pecchia

Referee: Mr. Niccolo’ Turrini (Mr. Marco Trinchieri - Mr. Glauco Zanellati)

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