Alone at the top of the table, at least for one night: Monza beat Virtus Entella 2-0 at the U-Power Stadium and go to sleep as the sole leaders of the Serie B championship.
The biancorossi’s sixth win in their last seven matches also serves as revenge against the Ligurians after the defeat in the first leg.
Monza create the first chance of the match, with a powerful left-footed strike from Colpani that forces Colombi into a difficult save at 5'. The Ligurians allow little space and defend well. At 21', Birindelli pushes forward and tries his luck from distance, but his right-footed effort whistles just wide. The Tuscan winger surges again at 25' and this time delivers a cross into the box where Colombo connects with his knee, but Colombi gathers. Entella show themselves at 28' when Guiu cuts inside and unleashes a strong but inaccurate right-footed shot. Monza remain composed and resume their push to break the deadlock in a complicated match. At 37', from a dangerous cross by Azzi, the visiting defense just manages to anticipate Petagna at the last moment. The biancorossi come even closer to taking the lead at 42' when Colombo floats in a cross and Colpani appears at the far post for a header that goes just wide. Before the break, the Ligurians threaten again with a counterattack led by Guiu, who tests Thiam with a diagonal shot on the run. It’s 0-0 at halftime.
Monza start the second half attacking relentlessly, and after less than a minute Colombo shoots wide. At 49' Azzi bursts forward and fires a low right-footed shot that Colombi saves. Virtus Entella struggle to escape Monza’s pressure and at 51' it takes a superb intervention from Colombi to deny Petagna, who strikes left-footed from a splendid through ball by Azzi. It’s a siege by Bianco’s side, who nearly make it 1-0 a minute later when Colombo breaks through centrally, sets himself and shoots right-footed, only for Colombi to save again. The visiting goalkeeper seems unbeatable and at 59' he also keeps out a powerful volley from captain Pessina. Bianco makes his first substitutions at 60', bringing on Ciurria and Caso. The latter proves decisive almost immediately: at 62' he latches onto a beautiful assist from Colombo and, with the outside of his foot, sets up Azzi to tap home for 1-0. It’s the fourth league goal for the Italian-Brazilian winger, sending the U-Power Stadium into raptures and giving Monza a thoroughly deserved lead. Entella reappear only at 72' with a timid curling right-footed attempt from Dalla Vecchia. Bianco makes another double substitution at 75', introducing Ravanelli and Alvarez. The biancorossi push for a second goal and Cutrone comes close twice in three minutes: first with a far-post deflection from a Ciurria cross that Colombi claws away at the last moment, then with an almost perfect right-footed strike that crashes against the crossbar and bounces on the line. The number 10 is desperately unlucky and Monza are inches away from 2-0. At 83' Thiam is also called into action, producing a great save from a powerful right-footed shot by Franzoni. The final minutes are full of excitement, with constant end-to-end action. At 89' the tireless Azzi narrowly misses his brace, firing over on the run from a Caso cross. The 2-0 is only delayed and arrives at 91'. Captain Pessina makes the run into the box on another magical play by Caso and, with a left-footed volley helped by a favorable rebound, sends the ball into the corner. It’s the Brianzolo midfielder’s second league goal and sparks celebrations beneath the Curva Pieri. It ends 2-0 for Bianco’s side in the opening match of the 27th round of Serie BKT.
After the defeat against the Ligurians on January 10th, Monza have put together six wins and two draws. Their next appointment is on Tuesday, March 3rd at 8:00 PM away to Cesena.
VISUALIZZA LA POLICY COMPLETA