MONZA BEAT PRO VERCELLI 4-3 IN THEIR FIRST PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY

At the Centro Sportivo Silvio and Luigi Berlusconi-Monzello, Monza defeated Pro Vercelli 4-3 in their first pre-season friendly.

Juric's side started brightly despite the intense heat and came close to taking the lead at 4'. From a perfectly delivered cross by Cutrone, first Dany Mota and then Pessina were both inches away from applying the finishing touch. Two minutes later, from Colpani's corner, Kouadio rose highest but sent his header just wide of the far post. Pro Vercelli took the lead with their first real attack thanks to a brilliant individual effort from Burruano, who drove forward before firing a superb right-footed strike into the net from distance.

Monza remained composed, continued to attack and equalised at 11'. Birindelli combined with Mota down the left before delivering a cross that was diverted by Van Koeverden, whose unfortunate header looped into his own net. The biancorossi moved the ball well and played with the quality demanded by Juric, completing the turnaround at 17' with a stunning left-footed strike from Colpani. Cutting inside from the right, the midfielder picked his spot and curled the ball into the top corner to make it 2-1.

At 20', the "Flaco" produced another superb pass to find Birindelli, who played Cutrone through. The striker's left-footed turn flashed just wide of the near post. Monza came even closer to a third goal at 22', when a quick one-two between Cutrone and Dany Mota ended with the latter shooting narrowly wide. Pro Vercelli struggled to play their way out of Monza's relentless pressure and, a minute later, the hosts nearly added a third once again, only for Del Favero to deny Colpani's powerful left-footed effort and push it behind for a corner.

Monza deservedly went into the break with a 2-1 lead. Juric rotated several players for the second half. Pro Vercelli returned with greater determination and levelled the match at 49' through Rutigliano, whose low strike from the edge of the area made it 2-2.

The game became even more entertaining. Monza regained the lead at 57' when Forson, picked out on the right by Carboni, controlled the ball before curling a delicate left-footed effort into the far corner. The English winger continued to trouble the visitors with his pace and, at 66', delivered an excellent cross to the back post where Loubao arrived, but the new signing's acrobatic overhead attempt drifted just wide.

At 75', another well-worked move saw Petagna receive the ball from Loubao before laying it off for Forson, whose curling effort this time failed to hit the target. Monza's fourth goal was only delayed by a few minutes. At 79', Loubao burst down the left once again and squared the ball for Petagna, who calmly guided a right-footed finish into the net to make it 4-2.

Pro Vercelli refused to give up and pulled one back at 84', with Comi diving to head home from close range. The visitors pushed until the end but were unable to complete their comeback.

It was a positive first outing for Monza, who claimed a 4-3 victory in their opening pre-season test after ten days of training. Their next friendly is scheduled for Friday 24th July in Linz against Galatasaray.

Monza-Pro Vercelli 4-3. Scorers: 7’ Burruano (PRO), 11’ aut. Van Koeverden (MON), 17’ Colpani (MON), 49’ Rutigliano (PRO), 57’ Forson (MON), 79’ Petagna (MON), 84’ Comi (PRO).

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