With a brace from Varela, Monza beat Sassuolo 2-1 in the opening match of the fifth round of Serie A and secured their first hugely important league victory, heading into the international break in the best possible way.
There were huge celebrations at the Brianteo as the biancorossi claimed a Serie A win that had been missing since 11th May 2025.
Juric’s side made a flying start. After around 40 seconds, the biancorossi, wearing their brand-new third kit, came within inches of taking the lead. Neroverde defender Cinquegrano got in ahead of Robinson at the last moment, following a low cross from Cutrone. Sassuolo struggled to play their way out of Monza’s pressure. At 2', Kouadio got his head to the ball from a good position, but Muric held on, leaving the defender to merely imagine the goal as he looked to celebrate his recent first call-up to the senior National Team. It was a Monza monologue as the hosts desperately searched for their first win. At 7', Mangas had a shot with his left foot but missed the target. Sassuolo made their first appearance in attack at 15', when Berardi struck first-time from Laurienté’s cross, only to be denied by an excellent save from Tornqvist. The Swedish goalkeeper, making his biancorosso debut, also kept out Bakola’s right-footed effort at 27'. Monza resumed their attacking pressure and at 33' Birindelli tested Muric with his left foot, but the goalkeeper held the ball. The game began to open up, with Sassuolo showing more courage on the counterattack. At 34', a superb backheel from Esposito sent Thorstvedt through on goal, but Tornqvist came off his line perfectly to stop the number 42’s delicate chip. The Swedish goalkeeper also picked up an injury, but after a few minutes he returned between the posts to applause from the Brianteo crowd. Monza continued to push forward and at 40' Cutrone was denied at the moment of the decisive shot by a crucial intervention from Caleta-Car, following a superb one-touch combination with Robinson and Varela. The teams went into the break at 0-0.
The first chance of the second half fell to the biancorossi, with Cutrone striking on the run with his right foot, forcing Muric to turn the ball behind for a corner. From the resulting corner, taken by Birindelli, Varela rose to head home, taking advantage of an uncertainty from the neroverde goalkeeper. It was the Portuguese forward’s third league goal, sending the Pieri Stand into delirium and putting Monza 1-0 up. Juric made a triple substitution at 56', bringing on Foe Ondoa, Dany Mota and Bakoune. The hosts were flying on a wave of enthusiasm, and the new arrivals immediately created a dangerous move at 58'. Dany Mota raced down the right and laid the ball off for Foe Ondoa, who controlled it and struck with his right foot, sending the ball over the bar. Sassuolo looked to be on the ropes, and at 61' the biancorossi won a penalty. Esposito was penalized for a foul on Dany Mota. Varela stepped up and calmly converted from the spot at 63', completing his brace and taking his tally to four league goals and six goals in all competitions, including the Coppa Italia. The 2-0 scoreline did not shake Sassuolo, but it further inspired Monza, who continued to attack in search of a third. After a sustained attack at 71', the ball fell to Foe Ondoa, who tried another long-range effort with his right foot and came close to scoring a spectacular goal. The Brianzoli side earned applause for their football, determination and generosity. At 79', Birindelli came close to finding the far corner with a low, right-footed shot across goal. Juric brought Mout on at 82'. Sassuolo got back into the game at 88' thanks to a moment of brilliance from Adzic, who curled a right-footed free kick beautifully into the net for his second consecutive goal. Juric brought Maye on for the final stages. The visitors believed they could still find an equalizer and at 93' Bowie headed against the post.
The match ended 2-1 to Monza, who moved away from the danger zone in the standings and gave their supporters a Serie A victory at the Brianteo that had been awaited since 13th January 2025.
After the international break, the biancorossi will return to action away to Lazio on Sunday 11th October at 3:00 PM.
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