Monza-Juventus 1-2, goals from McKennie and Nico Gonzalez: the Bianconeri return to victory

Three points and that's it. Juve remains incomplete, wins after four consecutive draws, but is unable to find the thread of the game, the complete opposite of what was reasonable to imagine at the moment in which Cristiano Giuntoli he went fishing Thiago Motta. The construction site is open: the only pride is the unbeatenness. Zero defeats, but only seven victories. The one in the house of Monzalast in the class and without nine players, serves the Bianconeri to catch the lead Fiorentinawho however have two games in hand and are three points behind Lazio in fourth place in the Champions League. But it doesn't remove the doubts of Thiago, a prophet returned to earth. Atalanta and the scudetto are nine points away and the Lady, beyond the delay in the standings, still does not have a balance and consequently an identity. When he finds a certain offensive threat, as in certain situations at the U-Power Stadium with all five stars on the pitch, he finds himself dangerously behind. The blanket is short. And the solution to the problem seems distant.

Juve, struggling in defense

Motta, on the basis of what he saw in the Italian Cup, insists with Buyers on the midline next to Locatelliin the hope that the Dutchman, the most expensive signing of the Juventus summer, will wake up from his torpor. The coach adds Nico Gonzalezstarter for the first time after two and a half months, a Conceicao and Yildiz, with Vlahovic to lead the attack. An offensively oriented Juve, with McKennie full-back because due to draws the championship has become a chimera. And it was the American who unlocked the result, taking advantage of Koop's corner and above all the softness of the Brianza team in defence. The opening goal, after less than a quarter of an hour, should serve to provide the decisive acceleration to close the score. And instead the proud Monza puts the Lady in difficulty during the restarts. And Juve shows worrying cracks back there. The equal of Birindellia volley from the center of the area, the first goal in Serie A, is a slap in the face to Motta.

Juve scores again, and again with the complicity of the opposing defenders, thanks to an undersized shot by Nico Gonzalez, third sharp of the season, which is unlocked in the championship. The Argentine helps Juve's offensive phase a lot, fills the area, supports Vlahovic, favors the ball movement which however remains cumbersome. With all the stars on the pitch, Juve however discovers itself and before the break Monza has two opportunities to make it 2-2.

In the second half without Buyersreplaced due to a slight adductor discomfort, which will be checked this week, Thiago tries with Thuram in an attempt to give more substance to the midfield. Juve attacks, but also concedes. Turati is good on Yildiz and a bit in difficulty on two shots from outside by Nico, but also Di Gregorio, in his old stadium, must be reactive on the conclusions of Bianco and Caprari. The game remains open. And again in the name of balance, Motta recalls the tired Nico for Cambiaso with McKennie moving to the attacking midfield.

Juve's ending is just suffering, like any old provincial match. But it holds. And Monza continues to lose. Juventus, in September 2022, had been the springboard for another coach, Raffaele Palladino, now at Fiorentina. The Lady, 27 later, it makes Alessandro Nesta's already unstable bench wobble even more and remains under examination. Its future is in the expert hands of Adriano Galliani, an usher in the stands. Monza plays well, but doesn't score or score points and is in its third defeat in a row, the fourth at home. Salvation, two rounds from the end of the first round, is five points away.

December 22, 2024 (changed December 22, 2024 | 11:16 pm)

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