January 5, 2025. 1:30 p.m. Monza
Serie A, 19th day
Nurses: Cragno, Gagliardini, Pessina, Carvalho, Kiriyakopulos, Caldaro, Vignato – Luvumbo
Suspension : Mari (Monza)
Monza – Cagliari: Cotes de Paris
Monza
The change of coach had no impact on Monza’s results. In Salvatore Bocchetti’s first match in charge, the team suffered a 1-2 defeat against Parma, with the opponent scoring the winning goal in the 90+8th minute. It would appear that a crucial moment of the match was the red card shown to Monza central defender Pablo Mari in the 54th minute. According to reports, the Spaniard is already considering a move to Fiorentina and has even put his private house up for sale.
If we add Bocchetti’s 6 defeats during his time at Verona at the end of 2022, only two coaches have lost more matches at the start of their Serie A career.
Cagliari
The Sardinians lost 0-3 at home against Inter. Fans are starting to worry about the team’s scoring abilities as Cagliari have failed to score in four of their last five matches. According to Sardinian journalist Giancarlo Cornacchia, another setback could lead the club’s management to show David Nicoli the exit door.
In this context, the press is closely following the form of visiting striker Leonardo Pavoletti, who has yet to start a match this season. He will have a particular motivation during this meeting, because Monza could become his 28th “victim” in Serie A, being the only elite team against whom he has not scored among the current squad.
Monza – Cagliari: Predicted team compositions
Monza – Cagliari: Author’s prediction
Both teams have lost their last five matches: four in Serie A and one in a cup match. They both find themselves in the relegation zone and are direct competitors in the fight for survival.
Monza have yet to win at home this season, their last home victory coming against… Cagliari last season. Historically, Monza have been a difficult opponent for the Sardinians, having never lost to Cagliari in Serie A, with their only defeat in the lower divisions coming in 2000.
However, I prefer to focus on coaching experience. I believe Adriano Galliani will deeply regret his decision to bring in Bocchetti at such a delicate time of the season, given his previous failures as coach at Verona.
