Monza
Sassuolo
Match summary
Monza saw off Sassuolo 2-1. It was goalless at half-time.
Gustavo Varela put Monza ahead with a header in the 51st minute, set up by Samuele Birindelli, Varela made it 2-0 from the penalty spot in the 63rd minute, and Vasilije Adzic pulled one back to make it 2-1 with a direct free kick in the 88th minute.
Sassuolo can feel hard done by, creating 2.31 expected goals (xG) from 20 shots to Monza's 1.61 from 15.
Monza claimed a narrow Serie A victory against Sassuolo despite enduring long periods of sustained pressure during the fixture. Sassuolo dominated the overall territory and possession statistics, registering 65 percent possession and completing 581 passes compared to Monza's 313. The visitors also generated a higher shot volume, taking 20 attempts with eight on target and accumulating an expected goals figure of 2.31, while Monza managed 15 shots with six on target and an expected goals total of 1.61. However, the hosts made the most of their attacking opportunities, edging the corner count seven to five and displaying greater clinical efficiency to secure the result. Discipline was a notable feature of the contest, with Monza accumulating four yellow cards alongside 13 fouls, while Sassuolo received one yellow card and committed six fouls.
The match remained goalless at the interval after a first half that saw Eddy Kouadio receive a yellow card for a foul in the 30th minute. The deadlock was broken shortly after the restart when Gustavo Varela scored with a header in the 51st minute to put Monza ahead. Following a triple substitution by the hosts, Varela struck again in the 63rd minute, converting a penalty to double the advantage. Sassuolo responded with a series of changes, and after Luca Lipani was booked for an argument, Vasilije Adžić reduced the deficit in the 88th minute by scoring directly from a free kick. Late bookings for Gustavo Varela and substitutions for both sides preceded the final whistle, which confirmed the 2-1 scoreline.
