UNDER 20: MONZA WIN 4-2 IN THEIR FIRST PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY

The Under 20 side led by Head Coach Luciano Vulcano began the new season with a victory, as they ran out 4-2 winners in their first pre-season friendly.

The match got off to the perfect start: the team were focused, well organised defensively and positive going forward. As the minutes passed, the tempo increased and the biancorossi continued to grow into the game.

In the 12th minute, Zanni received the ball, took aim at goal and sent his effort just wide of the post. The goalkeeper watched the right-footed strike drift narrowly wide and breathed a sigh of relief.

The deadlock was broken in the 20th minute, with Treffiletti putting the home side in front. He did well to meet his teammate's pass, beat his defender and fire past Minhea.

The visitors refused to give in and hit back. Just three minutes later, Del Grosso won back possession, found the bottom corner and brought the match level again.

The brianzoli attack continued to look dangerous and kept creating chances. In the 29th minute, Treffiletti picked out Zanni's run, with the forward controlling the ball well before getting his shot away. His effort was on target but caused no real problems for the goalkeeper.

In the 30th minute, Mento tested Pirrò, who was alert between the posts and made the save.

In the 43rd minute, Zanni once again challenged the goalkeeper with a powerful right-footed strike, but Minhea tipped it behind for a corner to keep the score unchanged.

The second goal arrived in the 45th minute and it was a masterpiece: Ganci unleashed a stunning long-range effort into the top corner, beyond the goalkeeper's reach. The biancorossi second goal deserved every round of applause.

After the break, Monza stepped on the accelerator and in the 52nd minute made it 3-1 through Abou Elezz, who kept his composure in front of goal after an excellent move built from the back and capped by Bagnaschi's perfectly weighted pass. Just a minute later, Fardin added a fourth, making no mistake from close range.

In the 59th minute, Nuova Sondrio pulled one back through Ricci. The match remained lively and was played at an excellent intensity. In the 65th minute, the Valtellina side had another chance, but Ballabio, who had come off the bench, reacted brilliantly to deny Losada with an excellent save.

The home side continued to push forward and in the 75th minute, following a corner kick, looked to catch the opposition defence out, but the visitors stood firm and cleared the danger.

In the closing stages, Nuova Sondrio pushed forward, but the brianzoli defence remained solid and never looked in trouble. At the final whistle, the match ended 4-2.

In the next pre-season friendly, scheduled for Saturday 1 August at 17:30, AC Monza will host Lecco.