Already reeling following a 15-point deduction for transfer irregularities, Juventus’ footballing woes continued as goals from Patrick Ciurria and Dany Mota gave Monza a shock win that wasn’t actually all that much of a shock.
Monza now sit 11th in the table, overtaking Juve who are 13th.
Juve started reasonably but lacked the class to underpin their effort and Monza soon eased their way into the game.
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On 10 minutes, Gianluca Caprari had a goal disallowed for offside, but on 18 and 39, Ciurria and Mota found fine finishes that effectively decided the game.
Though the home side tried to up the intensity after half-time, with Matias Soule making a difference when he came on, Juve created very little and Monza managed the game very well, maintaining their advantage by defending well and using the ball intelligently.
So their terrific Seria A debut season continues; Juve are a mess.
TALKING POINT
It’s true that Juve are missing a variety of important players – Federico Chiesa and Leonardo Bonucci are injured, while Paul Pogba and Dusan Vlahovic were fit enough only for the bench – but even with those names, they and Max Allegri look as tired and distressed as the stripes on their kit.
Allegri has been assured his job is safe, and given the turmoil at boardroom-level, there’s some sense in keeping him on, at least in the short-to-medium term. But the feeling persists that he’s a man out of time, the game having moved on in the time he was out of it, and unless he can find some fresh ideas and fast, there’s no indication that he has the chops to resolve the situation.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Patrick Ciurria (Monza) Scored a lovely goal and his intelligent movement and use of the ball was a big factor in his team’s triumph.
PLAYER RATINGS
Juventus: Szczesny 5, Gatti 5, Bremer 6, Danilo 5, De Sciglio 6, Fagioli 4, Paredes 4, Rabiot 5, Kostic 5, Di Maria 5, Kean 4. Subs: Soule 7, Locatelli 6, Iling Jr 6, Milik 6, Vlahovic 6.
Monza: Di Gregorio 7, Izzo 7, Mari 6, Caldirola 7, Ciurria 8, Pepin 6, Rovella 6, Carlos 7, Pessina 6, Caprari 7, Mota 7. Subs: Petagna 6, Sensi 6, Rannocchia 6, Birindelli 6, Barbosa 6.
KEY STAT
Monza are the first newly-promoted side to win their first two Serie A games against Juventus.
KEY MOMENTS
Paredes whips in a nasty cross – one of those that the keeper has to ignore in the first instance because someone might get a touch – and when no one does, Di Gregrio does well to tip it away before it sneaks inside the far post.
10’ – GOAL! Juventus 0-1 Monza (Caprari) This is very nicely taken. Caprari finds Pessina knocking the ball back from the edge of the box. Pessina then plays him back in and now he’s down the right side, spinning to drill a fine shot inside the near post! Juve are all sorts!
12’ – NO GOAL!
Caprari was fractionally offside when he received the return pass! That’s a shame – a goal for Monza would really have shaken things up – but they’ll be feeling more confident as a consequence.
18’ – GOAL! Juventus 0-1 Monza (Ciurria) Try disallowing that one! This is another lovely finish, and comes at the end of more nice possession, Carlos slipping a clever, disguised reverse-pass down the right side of the box, onto which Ciuraia runs and, as Szczesny dives at his feet, he larrups a terrific rising finish into the roof. Juve are a mess.
39’ – GOAL! A LOVELY GOAL! Juventus 0-2 Monza (Mota) Carlos Augusto steals possession in midfield, exchanges passes with Caprari and drives forward before slipping another of those balls in behind! And this time, it’s Dani Mota on the end of it! He takes a touch, jinks around Szczesny who’s slow to come out, steadies, and slots home! WHAT ON EARTH IS GOING ON?! MONZA ARE 2-0 UP AT JUVENTUS!
75’ – WHAT A SAVE DI GREGORIO!
Di Maria collects possession outside the box, left of centre, sets himself and power-strokes a glorious hit that looks bound for the far top corner, until the Monza keeper flies across his goal to tip away!
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