Andrea Petagna scored again after netting in the first leg, grabbing the 2-1 winner as AC Monza came from behind to beat Juve Stabia at the U-Power Stadium, securing their fourth victory in the last five matches.
It was a difficult start for the Biancorossi, who conceded at 2' to former player Mosti, quick to score at the second attempt after initial blocks from Ravanelli and Carboni. After the early shock, Bianco’s side responded and at 12' Hernani unleashed a powerful right-footed strike that went just wide. At 18', the Brazilian delivered a perfect cross to the far post for Birindelli, who arrived on the right and struck on the volley, narrowly missing a spectacular goal.
After a long-range effort from Bellich that did not trouble Thiam, Monza pushed again and came very close to equalizing at 23'. Azzi burst down the left and sent in a cross that slipped past Confente; Cutrone’s shot was saved, but play was halted for offside. Bianco’s team kept pressing and threatened again at 26' with Obiang’s late run, but Carissoni cleared his volley for a corner. Monza deserved the equalizer, but Confente was in superb form and at 27' flew to tip over Cutrone’s header following a flick-on by Obiang.
Juve Stabia survived and at 32' launched a counterattack through Giorgini, only for Obiang to recover thanks to hesitation from the opposing number 32. Monza maintained control and at 41' Hernani tried again, this time with his left foot, but the shot stayed too high. Just before halftime, Cacciamani made a strong run down the left and fired from close range, but former Monza keeper Thiam produced a brilliant save to concede a corner.
The second half began with Monza on the attack. Just over a minute in, Alvarez set up Hernani, whose powerful right-footed effort skimmed the crossbar. Juve Stabia responded with a quick move by Cacciamani down the left; his dangerous cross-shot forced Thiam into action, and Carboni then cleared Okoro’s follow-up. After Alvarez tested Confente with a running right-footed strike, Monza finally equalized at 51'. Following several attempts, Hernani found the net, calmly placing a right-footed finish from Azzi’s cross. It was his fourth goal for Monza, all scored at the U-Power Stadium.
Juve Stabia tried to respond immediately through former player Zeroli, whose left-footed shot went just wide. Bianco made his first substitution at 61', bringing on Petagna, a decisive move.
Three minutes later, the striker was in the right place at the right time to score from Confente’s rebound, netting his fourth league goal. Wearing number 37, he had also scored in the first meeting, sending the U-Power Stadium into celebration. Juve Stabia refused to give up and at 71' Correia tested Thiam with a right-footed effort that the Senegalese goalkeeper tipped over. Bianco introduced Lucchesi and Bakoune in the same minute.
Monza looked to seal the game on the counter at 75' through Cutrone, but Confente was alert. At 79', Dany Mota and Colombo came on. Colombo made an immediate impact, firing a low diagonal shot at 82' that Confente parried into Pessina’s path; the captain slotted home what would have been the 3-1, but the goal was ruled out for offside. Monza pushed to close it out and at 85' Lucchesi surged forward and appealed for a penalty after contact from Correia, but nothing was given. The visitors also appealed for a spot-kick in stoppage time, but there was no decision and this time there was no dramatic late equalizer as in the first leg. The final highlight was a brilliant solo run by Azzi, stopped only at the last moment.
It finished 2-1 to Monza, who once again showed their comeback spirit and kept pace with the top two in the standings. In the next round, the biancorossi will visit Carrarese on Saturday, February 21st at 7:30 PM.
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