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After a couple of setbacks to the ambitious project of Monza that is still based on getting them into Europe, the hosts could do with a performance and result sooner rather than later as they take on Roma this weekend.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Sunday 6th October, 2024 - UK – 5:00pm / US ET – 12:00pm / US PT – 9:00am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Not televised / US – Select matches will be televised on CBS Sports so it is worth checking their schedule
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – OneFootball / US – Paramount+
MONZA PREVIEW: UNDERWHELMING NESTA FOOTBALL
The death of Silvio Berlusconi was felt a lot at Monza due to his and his family’s involvement in the rise of the club, which saw them gain promotion to the top-flight for the first time ever in 2022. They then lost manager Raffaele Palladino this summer to Fiorentina just as they would have wanted to kick on to a potential top seven or eight finish.
The home team come into this one, now under the management of former AC Milan defender Alessandro Nesta, on the back of an underwhelming start to the season in which they begin the weekend sitting rock-bottom in Serie A as the only team without a victory after six matches so far this season.
ROMA PREVIEW: THE START OF JURIC
Daniele De Rossi is a Roman legend and steadied the ship following the sacking of Jose Mourinho in January. However, poor form at the end of last year as well as the start of this year led to his sacking a couple of weeks ago with former Hellas Verona and Torino boss Ivan Juric brought in by the Giallorossi.
Juric has work to do to get the fans on side due to their disgruntlement with the current running of the capital city club but they have enjoyed back-to-back victories in Serie A since his appointment. They do, though, come into this one on the back of a 1-0 defeat to Elfsborg in the UEFA Europa League in midweek.
MONZA TEAM NEWS: LOTS OF ABSENTEES
Alessandro Nesta does have at least one hand tied behind his back due to the amount of injuries that Monza are dealing with and Andrea Petagna is now sidelined due to illness.
Experienced midfielders Roberto Gagliardini and Stefano Sensi are also out injured alongside Samuele Vignato and Patrick Ciurria with Dany Mota and Alessio Cragno both doubts.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-2-1): Turati; Izzo, Pablo Mari, Carboni; Pedro Pereira, Bondo, Bianco, Kyriakopoulos; Pessina, Maldini; Djuric
UNAVAILABLE: Vignato (Injured), Sensi (Injured), Gagliardini (Injured), Ciurria (Injured), Petagna (Illness)
QUESTIONABLE: Cragno (Injured), Dany Mota (Injured)
ROMA TEAM NEWS: IVAN JURIC’S FORMULA
With no fresh injury concerns or suspension issues, Roma will be able to name an unchanged eleven for this one after recent back-to-back domestic victories.
Summer signing Alexis Saelemaekers does remain sidelined for the visitors due to an ankle injury but Enzo Le Fee is nearing a return to boost numbers in midfield.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Tasende; Celik, Kone, Cristante, El Shaarawy; Matias Soule, Pellegrini; Dovbyk
UNAVAILABLE: Saelemaekers (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Le Fee (Injured)
MONZA VS ROMA PREDICTION
Alessandro Nesta, who most recently struggled at Reggiana last season in Serie B, has a clearly defined style of football that is not great to watch for the neutral. For example, Monza’s six matches have consisted of just 12 goals with just four goals scored. They now face a Roma side that may well be resurgent, despite their defeat in Sweden in midweek. A low-scoring Roma win would appear a good bet for this one.
MONZA VS ROMA TIP: ROMA TO WIN & UNDER 3.5 GOALS