Monza Vs Verona

Monza will be eager to narrow the gap between themselves and safety as they prepare to host fellow relegation contenders Hellas Verona at the U-Power Stadium in a crucial Serie A clash on Saturday. Both sides find themselves entrenched in a battle at the bottom of the table, with Monza particularly desperate to make use of home fixtures in the season’s final stretch, while Verona continue to struggle to move away from the danger zone.

Following a hard-earned but long-awaited home victory over Fiorentina two weeks ago—their first of the campaign after 11 attempts—Monza have found themselves sinking further into trouble, with consecutive away defeats compounding their ongoing struggles. A 3-1 loss to Bologna was followed by a dismal 2-0 defeat at Genoa, where Monza managed just one shot on target throughout the entire match. These results have extended their winless streak on the road, leaving them without an away victory in their last five outings.

Unfortunately for Monza, their woes are not limited to away games, as their home form has been equally concerning. With just six points secured from a possible 33 at the U-Power Stadium, they hold one of the worst home records in all of Europe’s top-five leagues. While their victory over Fiorentina provided a brief glimmer of hope, their position remains precarious, sitting seven points adrift from safety in a highly congested relegation battle. Verona, currently placed 17th, serve as Monza’s immediate target in the standings, and a win on Saturday could be vital in reigniting their survival hopes.

Despite the significant investment that fueled Monza’s rapid ascent to Serie A, their three-year stint in the top flight is now under serious threat. With just 13 points amassed from 22 matches, their situation appears increasingly dire. Defensive solidity will be key if they are to turn things around, and under the guidance of Salvatore Bocchetti, a former defender himself, finding a way to stop leaking goals will be imperative. Monza have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 15 league outings, a worrying statistic that underscores their defensive frailties. However, their last shutout came in their previous meeting with Verona, a commanding 3-0 victory away from home in October. That result maintained Monza’s unbeaten record against Verona in the top flight, with three wins and two draws from their five encounters thus far.

Verona, on the other hand, have struggled to make an impact at the U-Power Stadium in their previous visits. In two Serie A matches at this venue, they have yet to find the back of the net, suffering a 2-0 defeat in 2022 before settling for a goalless draw last season. Given their recent attacking struggles, they may find it difficult to break that trend. Prior to Monday’s 1-1 draw against Venezia, Verona had endured a staggering 348-minute goal drought. The relief of finally finding the net came courtesy of Jackson Tchatchoua, whose equalizer kept them outside the relegation zone, albeit only on goal difference.

The battle for survival is set for another shake-up this weekend, with Verona level on 20 points with Lecce, who currently occupy a place in the drop zone. Meanwhile, Parma sit just one spot above them in an incredibly tight relegation battle. Despite their troubles, Verona have shown glimpses of resilience in away matches, losing just one of their last four on the road while securing two wins in the process. However, if they are to guarantee their place in Serie A next season, they must drastically improve at both ends of the pitch.

Verona’s attacking woes have been compounded by defensive frailties, with the side conceding a staggering 48 goals this season—an alarming statistic that highlights their vulnerability at the back. Without significant improvement in their defensive setup, their battle against relegation will only become more arduous. Adding to their concerns is their tendency to start games on the back foot, having conceded the opening goal in 17 matches this season. Their performances when falling behind have been concerning, and they have struggled to recover from deficits. However, an interesting pattern has emerged—on the rare occasions when Verona have taken the lead, they have gone on to secure victory each time, winning all four matches in which they struck first.

The encounter between Monza and Verona is a crucial six-pointer that could significantly influence the relegation battle. While Monza’s home struggles and defensive shortcomings place them in a vulnerable position, their strong historical record against Verona, including their previous 3-0 triumph, may serve as a source of confidence. Conversely, Verona will be buoyed by their improved away form but must address their defensive frailties and goal-scoring inconsistencies if they are to avoid slipping into the drop zone.

With both teams fighting for their Serie A status, the stakes could not be higher. Monza will aim to make the most of their home advantage, while Verona will seek to capitalize on their recent away form. A victory for either side could prove pivotal in their respective battles for survival, making this an unmissable clash in the race to escape relegation.