It was a fantastic AC Monza side that defeated Palermo 3-0 in the big match at the U-Power Stadium, moving four points clear of third-placed Frosinone and six ahead of the rosanero in fourth. Under the watchful eye of President Lauren Crampsie, the biancorossi repeated their first-leg success against the Sicilians with the same scoreline.
The visitors tried to start strongly and at 2' a sustained move ended with a right-footed effort from Jacopo Segre, which was accidentally deflected behind by a teammate. The match was lively and the importance of the points at stake was clear. Palermo tried to threaten from corners, but the Brianza defense stayed alert and conceded nothing. A freezing wind blew through the stadium, but at 18' Andrea Petagna warmed the Monza supporters’ hearts by poking home the 1-0 after a volleyed cross-shot from Patrick Cutrone. The ball ricocheted around the area after two deflections and reached the far post, where the Trieste-born striker was ready to score his seventh league goal of the season, his third in a row.
Palermo struggled to react while Monza grew in confidence. Only at 26' did the team of Filippo Inzaghi appear again, with a left-footed shot from Pietro Ceccaroni comfortably saved by Demba Thiam. Monza appealed for a penalty at 30' for what looked like a clear hold on Patrick Ciurria, but Daniele Doveri waved play on. At 33' Paulo Azzi made one of his trademark bursts down the left but couldn’t control the final cross with his weaker foot. Monza kept pushing for a second goal. At 34' Petagna launched a counterattack and exchanged passes with Cutrone, but Jesse Joronen rushed out to stop the Monza forward with help from a defender.
Palermo survived and at 36' Segre tested Thiam with a header, which the goalkeeper pushed away well. Jérémy Le Douaron then fired wide. Monza went into halftime leading 1-0. Coach Alessandro Bianco made an immediate change for the second half, bringing on Adam Bakoune. Monza restarted strongly and almost doubled the lead with Cutrone, but the play was stopped for offside. Palermo struggled to create dangerous moves while Monza controlled the tempo and looked to strike on the counter.
And that’s exactly what happened at 63'. A through ball from Petagna sent Azzi racing forward, and he squared the ball to Ciurria. “The Knight” controlled with his right and fired with his left into the corner for 2-0. It was a spectacular and deadly move from the Brianza side and the first goal of the season for Ciurria, sending the stadium into raptures. Monza now had 17 different scorers this season.
Palermo brought on Mathias Fjørtoft Løvik Johnsen, who hit the crossbar at 68'. Bianco responded with a double substitution at 72', introducing Lorenzo Colombo and Dany Mota. Palermo tried to get back into the game but never truly troubled Thiam, who comfortably claimed a corner at 79'. At the other end Cutrone nearly made it 3-0, but again the play was halted for offside. The number 10 was replaced at 86' by Álex Valle Álvarez for the closing stages.
Palermo’s most dangerous player was Johnsen, who tested Thiam with a right-footed shot at 87'. But instead of a possible 2-1, Monza made it 3-0 at 88'. Azzi switched on the afterburners down the left, beat everyone for pace, cut inside and picked out Colombo, who scored with his left foot to celebrate his first official goal in a Monza shirt. It was another assist for Azzi, his sixth in the league.
A 3-0 triumph for Monza, just like in the first leg. The unstoppable team of Bianco now has 18 different scorers this season, records its fifth consecutive home win, and keeps dreaming. On Tuesday they return to action for the midweek round, at 8:00 PM away to Reggiana.
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