VARAS GIFTS PADOVA A 1-0 VICTORY

On Matchday 5 of Serie B, Padova beats Monza 1-0 at the U-Power Stadium with a goal from Varas.

A nearly winter-like afternoon in terms of temperature. In the stands is also Lauren Crampsie, sitting alongside Mauro Baldissoni for the first match of the new biancorosso era under Beckett Layne Ventures.

Monza starts well with a spark from Colpani, who immediately causes problems before setting up Alvarez, whose shot is denied at the last moment by the Padova defense. Padova responds at 6' with a volley from Lasagna that goes wide. It’s an entertaining and open game. At 8', Maric steals the ball from Crisetig and looks set to go through on goal, but the Padova captain somehow stops him, with the Croatian demanding a foul. At 9', Thiam makes his first big save, denying a powerful shot from Varas. The pace doesn’t let up, with constant end-to-end action. At 12', Colombo crosses to the far post where Birindelli just misses the crucial touch. Padova survives and threatens at 28' when Fusi unleashes a curling shot that rattles the crossbar. Monza also tries from distance: at 31', Obiang fires a lovely left-footed shot from outside the box, forcing Fortin into a decisive save to concede a corner. From the ensuing corner, Lucchesi nearly scores with a right-footed volley. At 38', after a quick Padova counterattack, Lasagna volleys a shot on goal, but Thiam is once again alert to make the save. Monza keeps pushing forward and at 41' a persistent attacking move ends with a placed right-footed shot by Azzi, which is deflected out for a corner by the Padova defense.

In the second half, Padova breaks the deadlock with a brilliant left-footed volley from Varas that finds the bottom corner at 52'. Mister Bianco makes a double substitution at 57': Zeroli returns from injury for his first appearance of the season and Galazzi also comes on. Galazzi immediately creates danger with a powerful left-footed shot that goes just wide At 60'. Lucchesi tries his luck with a left-footed effort two minutes later, but Fortin makes the save. Another double substitution for Monza follows at 65', with Petagna and Caprari coming on. Monza continues to press and finds an equalizer through a Zeroli header at 68', but the goal is disallowed after a VAR review due to Azzi being offside in the build-up. Despite the setback, Bianco’s side keeps attacking. At 72', Caprari plays a beautiful ball to Lucchesi, whose header is caught by Fortin. Monza deserves the equalizer, dominating possession and pinning Padova back in their own half. At 76', Caprari produces a moment of magic, cutting inside and curling a stunning right-footed shot that smashes against the post. At 82', Monza makes a fifth change, bringing on Carboni in defense. The home side pushes with everything they've got in search of the 1-1. At 90', Zeroli goes agonizingly close with another header in Padova’s box. In the six minutes of stoppage time, Caprari also nearly finds the net with a deflected shot that is turned out for a corner at 93'. It’s a final siege from Monza, but Padova survives, even dealing with Azzi’s dangerous shot-cross and secures the 1-0 win.

In the next round, Monza will face Empoli away on Wednesday, October 1st at 8:30 PM.