Monza vs Juventus

The stakes are high for relegation-threatened Monza and title hopefuls Juventus ahead of their Serie A clash at Stadio Brianteo.

Monza’s miserable third consecutive season in Serie A hit a new low last weekend as fellow strugglers Lecce beat them 2-1, condemning Alessandro Nesta’s underperforming team to an eighth straight league game without a win (D2, L6). Morally devastated after a third successive defeat in all competitions, ‘I Biancorossi’ return to the Brianteo, seeking their first home league win of the season (D3, L5). However, that’s easier said than done for Monza’s lackluster frontline that averaged just 0.75 goals per home game this term. With only one win from the first 16 Serie A rounds (D7, L8), Nesta’s men head into the match deeply embroiled in a dreaded relegation scrap, languishing five points adrift of safety. Monza must gain a foothold in the game quickly after trailing 1-0 at the break in their last three outings.

On the other hand, Juventus brushed Cagliari aside in a dominant 4-0 home win in midweek Coppa Italia action to set up a quarter-final date against Empoli. However, it’s been a disappointing Serie A campaign for ‘I Bianconeri,’ even though they’re the only side in the division still unbeaten. Indeed, ten of Juventus’ 16 league fixtures under Thiago Motta have ended all square (W6), establishing them as ‘stalemate specialists’ across Europe’s traditional top-five leagues. Already ten points below table-topping Napoli, the Turin giants can’t afford a slip-up at Monza, bidding to end a disastrous run of four consecutive away draws! With each featuring under 2.5 goals, fans in attendance could witness a low-scoring contest.