Monza finally ended their long wait for a win, securing only their third victory of the Serie A season and their first since January by shocking Udinese with a 2-1 triumph in Sunday’s early kick-off.
Goals from Gianluca Caprari and Keita Balde ensured the visitors claimed all three points against Lorenzo Lucca’s side.
Kosta Runjaic, fresh off a 2-1 win over Cagliari, made a solitary change to his starting lineup, recalling Martin Payero into midfield at the expense of Sando Lovric.
Meanwhile, Monza boss Alessandro Nesta rang in three changes of his own, introducing Arvid Brorsson, Andrea Carboni, and Omari Forson for Luca Caldirola, Tomasa Palacios, and Dany Mota.
Udinese had the upper hand in the first half, creating the more promising chances. Hassane Kamara’s acrobatic scissor kick, a slick one-two move finished off by Oumar Solet, and Keinan Davis’ effort from close range all threatened to break the deadlock.
Monza, on the other hand, offered little going forward in the opening 45 minutes. Forson registered their only attempt before the break and it failed to hit the target. The first half ended goalless.
The visitors stunned Udinese just minutes into the second half. Samuele Birindelli drove aggressively down the right flank, breaking into the box and nearly scoring himself, only to hit the woodwork.
Caprari was quickest to react, sliding in to bundle home the rebound.
There were initial doubts as to whether the ball had gone in off Caprari’s arm, but after a lengthy VAR check, the goal was upheld.
Udinese fought back, and second-half substitute Lorenzo Lucca brought them level with a brilliant individual strike.
He latched onto Karlstrom’s lofted ball, allowed it to bounce a couple of times, then rifled home a fierce shot from a tight angle on the right side of the box.
Lucca came close to grabbing a second, but it was Monza who found the decisive moment.
A well-placed cross from Ciurria on the left was flicked on by Kevin Zeroli, setting up Keita Balde to finish from point-blank range, clinching a rare and morale-boosting win for Monza.
