In the 38th and final matchday of the regular Serie B season, Monza and Empoli drew 2-2 at the U-Power Stadium, with the Tuscan side equalising at 91’ and celebrating survival. The Brianzoli finished third on 76 points, an exceptionally high tally that, for the first time, was not enough to secure automatic promotion.
To chase promotion, Monza will now have to go through the playoffs, with Bianco’s side set to make their debut on Saturday 16th May at 8:00 PM in the first leg of the semifinal away to the winner of the preliminary clash between Modena and Juve Stabia.
It was a match with huge stakes for the Tuscan side as well, determined to avoid the relegation playoff, and they started strongly. Just 32 seconds after kick-off, Shpendi made it 0-1, beating Thiam from close range with his right foot. A cold shower for the biancorossi, who, after recovering from the shock, launched an assault in search of an equaliser. At 6’, Cutrone unleashed a superb right-footed volley at the far post that troubled Fulignati. At 8’, Carboni tried his luck, connecting brilliantly with his left foot and narrowly missing a spectacular goal. The hosts laid siege to the Empoli goal and came close to making it 1-1 again at 10’. From Caso’s dangerous cross, neither Cutrone nor Bakoune managed to apply the finishing touch at the far post. The game had become one-way traffic, but the ball still would not go in, even at 17’, when after a surging run by Hernani, the ball reached Petagna, who controlled and fired with his left foot, narrowly missing the corner. The Trieste-born striker tried again at 24’, opening up his left foot after a lay-off from Cutrone, but Fulignati gathered comfortably. It was a fine move from the biancorossi, sparked by a run down the right from Bakoune. After enduring sustained pressure, Empoli threatened again at 26’ with an effort from Candela, but Thiam reacted sharply and saved. Monza resumed attacking and found their deserved equaliser at 29’ through Petagna. It was almost identical to the move five minutes earlier, with Cutrone’s lay-off and a low left-footed finish that this time beat an uncertain Fulignati. It was Petagna’s ninth league goal of the season and made it 1-1. Despite discouraging news from the other grounds, Bianco’s side continued to push proudly in search of a comeback. At 38’, Cutrone fired a powerful left-footed shot, but Fulignati held on. After a move by Elia at 41’, cutting inside onto his right foot and shooting centrally, Monza poured forward again and ended the first half on the attack, with Birindelli’s running effort failing to dip enough. The same fate befell Caso’s attempt before referee Marcenaro blew for halftime.
The second half also began with Monza on the front foot and at 50’ Lucchesi’s header forced Fulignati into action. At 59’, Birindelli burst forward and shot with his right foot, but the Empoli goalkeeper was once again alert. At 60’, Bianco made a double substitution, bringing on Dany Mota and Alvarez for a highly attacking setup. At 65’, Alvarez combined brilliantly with Cutrone and fired towards goal, but the Tuscan defence cleared for a corner. The 2-1 goal was delayed only by a few seconds because, from the resulting corner, the ball reached Caso, who delivered a perfect cross onto the head of Delli Carri. It was the former Padova defender’s second league goal of the season, completing the comeback and making it 2-1. At 70’, the biancorossi made another double substitution, introducing Ciurria and Colombo. Monza did not stop pushing and at 77’ Alvarez tested Fulignati with a magnificent free kick. Late on, Antov also returned to action, coming on at 86’ after a long injury layoff.
Results from the other grounds would have condemned Empoli to the relegation playoff. The Tuscan side pushed forward and at 91’ found the 2-2 equaliser through Shpendi’s left-footed turn from close range, beating Thiam and completing his brace. A goal that secured direct survival for Caserta’s side. It finished 2-2.
The biancorossi now prepare for the first leg of the playoff semifinal, scheduled for Saturday 16th May.
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