Monza vs. Napoli | Serie A | Pre Match
Monza vs. Napoli
Still relentlessly pursuing a second Scudetto in the span of three seasons, Serie A’s second-placed Napoli travel to the beleaguered Stadio Brianteo to face rock-bottom Monza on Saturday evening, a fixture that pits title contenders against a side staring relegation in the face. Under the meticulous guidance of Antonio Conte, Napoli have kept their championship aspirations alive, most recently with a hard-fought victory over Empoli on Monday, a result that ensured they remain just three points adrift of league leaders Inter Milan. This triumph was a vital step in maintaining pressure on the Nerazzurri, who have set a blistering pace at the summit of Serie A. For Napoli, the trip to Monza represents an opportunity to capitalize on their opponents’ dismal form and potentially draw level with Inter, who face a stern test against top-four hopefuls Bologna a day later. Conte’s men, unburdened by the multi-front commitments that Inter must navigate, can channel their energies solely into their six remaining Serie A fixtures, beginning with this clash against a Monza side that has been mired in a season-long quagmire. Napoli’s recent successes against Monza, including a 4-2 thriller at the same venue last year and a 2-0 win in the reverse fixture in September, bolster their confidence as they aim to secure a third consecutive victory and keep their title dreams firmly within reach.
Napoli’s campaign, though not without its stumbles, has been defined by moments of brilliance and resilience, particularly in their recent outing against Empoli at the Stadio Maradona. Welcoming a free-falling Empoli side to Campania, Napoli were determined to close the gap on Inter with a victory on home soil, and they delivered in emphatic fashion. The match was a showcase of their midfield dynamism, with Scott McTominay emerging as the pivotal figure. The Scottish powerhouse struck twice, bookending a clinical finish from Romelu Lukaku to secure a 3-0 win that underscored Napoli’s attacking potency and defensive solidity. McTominay’s impact this season has been nothing short of transformative; five of his eight Serie A goals have come when the score was deadlocked at 0-0, a statistic that highlights his knack for breaking the deadlock and setting the tone for Napoli’s victories. No other midfielder in Serie A has scored more opening goals, and his eight strikes have surpassed his previous best in a single league season, cementing his status as a cornerstone of Conte’s midfield. This victory was particularly significant given Napoli’s recent form, which had seen them falter with just two wins from nine matches since February. During that period, the Partenopei drew six times, leaking six precious points compared to Inter’s relentless consistency. Yet, despite these setbacks, Napoli remain the only credible challengers to Inter’s throne, and a win against Monza could see them pull level with their Milanese rivals, setting the stage for a thrilling title race in the final weeks of the campaign.
Monza, by stark contrast, are enduring a season of unrelenting misery, their plight at the foot of the Serie A table a far cry from the optimism that accompanied their promotion to the top flight in 2022. The Brianzoli have been a study in futility, amassing a mere two victories while suffering 21 defeats in their 32 matches, leaving them 11 points adrift of safety with little hope of avoiding relegation. The mid-season return of Alessandro Nesta as manager in February, following his earlier dismissal, was intended to spark a revival, but the results have been dire, with six losses in eight games under his second tenure. Monza’s last glimmer of hope was extinguished in their most recent outing, a 1-0 defeat to 19th-placed Venezia in a match that was billed as a must-win for both relegation-threatened sides. The loss was a microcosm of Monza’s season: a lack of cutting edge in attack and fragility at the back, with their solitary goal-scoring opportunity squandered. Their last victory, a distant memory from January, underscores the scale of their struggles, and with Napoli looming, Monza face the daunting task of addressing glaring deficiencies in both boxes. The Brianzoli have scored the fewest headed goals in Serie A this season, with just two, while conceding a league-high 17 headers, a vulnerability that Napoli, who have yet to concede a single headed goal, are likely to exploit. Monza’s inability to find the net consistently, coupled with their defensive frailties, paints a grim picture as they prepare to face one of Serie A’s most formidable sides.
Napoli’s historical edge over Monza further tilts the scales in their favor. Last season’s 4-2 victory at the Stadio Brianteo was a testament to their attacking flair, with Napoli overcoming a spirited Monza side that managed to score twice, a feat they have achieved in both of their home games against the Partenopei since their promotion. However, this season’s Monza bear little resemblance to the side that showed such fight, and Napoli’s 2-0 win in the reverse fixture in September highlighted the gulf in class between the two teams. Matteo Politano’s goal in that match was a reminder of Napoli’s ability to punish defensive lapses, and with Conte’s side now hitting their stride, they will expect to complete a league double over Monza and extend their winning streak to three games. The contrast in form and fortunes could not be starker: while Napoli are laser-focused on their title pursuit, Monza are resigned to their fate, their players and supporters bracing for the inevitability of Serie B football next season. Yet, despite their dire predicament, Monza will draw on the pride of playing at home and the faint hope of causing an upset, however improbable it may seem against a Napoli side brimming with confidence and firepower.
In terms of team news, Napoli are bolstered by the return of key players but face challenges in their defensive setup. Frank Anguissa and captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo are back in contention after serving suspensions against Empoli, providing Conte with valuable options in midfield and at right-back. However, injuries to defenders Juan Jesus, sidelined by a thigh problem, and Alessandro Buongiorno, who is still recovering from an adductor issue, may force a reshuffle at the back. Conte’s defensive adjustments will be critical, but the core of his midfield remains intact, with Anguissa and Stanislav Lobotka set to anchor the engine room alongside the irrepressible McTominay, whose goal-scoring exploits have made him indispensable. Up front, Romelu Lukaku will lead the line, supported by the dynamic wing play of David Neres and Matteo Politano, the latter of whom will be eager to replicate his scoring heroics from the reverse fixture. Monza, meanwhile, are grappling with a raft of absences that further diminish their prospects. Keita Balde, Danilo D’Ambrosio, captain Matteo Pessina, and Napoli youth graduate Armando Izzo are all sidelined by injuries, while Georgios Kyriakopoulos returns from a one-match ban to bolster the left flank. In attack, Monza will rely on Dany Mota, who has matched his personal record of seven goal involvements this season but has been largely ineffective in 2025, contributing to just one goal. Gianluca Caprari or Silvere Ganvoula are likely to start up front in Balde’s absence, but neither has shown the consistency to trouble Napoli’s robust defense.
As Saturday’s clash looms, the Stadio Brianteo prepares to host a mismatch that encapsulates the contrasting narratives of Serie A’s 2024-25 season. Napoli, driven by Conte’s tactical nous and the individual brilliance of players like McTominay and Lukaku, are poised to continue their pursuit of Inter Milan, their eyes firmly fixed on the Scudetto. Monza, languishing at the bottom of the table, face an uphill battle to restore pride and avoid further humiliation, their relegation to Serie B all but confirmed. The tactical battle will hinge on Napoli’s ability to exploit Monza’s defensive weaknesses, particularly from set pieces, while the hosts must summon a level of resilience and attacking intent that has eluded them all season. For Napoli, this is a chance to assert their title credentials and maintain the pressure on Inter; for Monza, it is a desperate bid to salvage some dignity in the face of overwhelming odds. With the stakes so starkly defined, the encounter promises to be a compelling, if one-sided, chapter in the unfolding drama of Serie A.
