Udinese vs Monza

Fresh off the back of their confirmed relegation last week, Monza make the trip to face mid-table Udinese in Serie A’s early Sunday fixture. With their fate already sealed, Monza’s focus has shifted to avoiding the ignominious distinction of being the worst team in Italian top-flight history. Meanwhile, Udinese, comfortably positioned in the middle of the table, still harbor ambitions of sneaking into the top half of the standings before the season concludes.

Udinese come into this match with a renewed sense of optimism after breaking a concerning dry spell in front of goal. Their most recent outing saw them secure a 2-1 victory against Cagliari, thanks to goals from Oier Zarraga and Thomas Kristensen in either half. Prior to that win, the Bianconeri had endured a miserable run of five consecutive defeats, making their recent four-point haul from two matches a welcome relief. This mini-revival has kept their faint hopes of a top-10 finish alive, though they face stiff competition from the likes of Como and Torino, who are also jostling for position in the upper half of the table.

For a club that only narrowly avoided relegation last season, Udinese’s current 12th-place standing—with no possibility of finishing lower than 13th—represents a modest but tangible improvement. However, their recent struggles at home will be a cause for concern. The Friulian side have failed to find the net in their last three matches at the Dacia Arena, losing two of those games. As they prepare to host the league’s bottom side, Udinese will be desperate to rediscover their scoring touch and ensure they end the campaign on a high note.

Historically, clashes between these two sides in Udine have been tight affairs. Both of their previous top-flight meetings at the Dacia Arena ended in draws—a 2-2 stalemate two seasons ago and a goalless affair in February 2024. Despite this, Udinese enter Sunday’s encounter as clear favorites, given Monza’s dismal form and the gulf in quality between the two sides this season.

Monza, on the other hand, are in complete disarray. Their relegation was mathematically confirmed last weekend following a humiliating 4-0 home defeat to Atalanta, a result that encapsulated their struggles throughout the campaign. With just three matches remaining, the Brianzoli are rooted to the foot of the table with a paltry 15 points. Unless they can conjure an unlikely turnaround in their final fixtures, they are on course to become one of the worst teams in Serie A history.

The last team to finish a Serie A season with 15 or fewer points was Ancona in the 2003-04 campaign, who mustered only 13. However, in the modern 20-team format, Salernitana’s 17-point tally last season remains the lowest benchmark. Monza are now in serious danger of setting an even more unenviable record. Their impending return to Serie B marks the end of their first stint among Italy’s elite, and their departure has been anything but dignified.

Alessandro Nesta’s side have been in freefall for months, and their recent performances suggest a team already resigned to their fate. They have failed to score in their last four matches, highlighting their chronic lack of attacking threat. Their defensive frailties have been equally alarming, particularly on the road, where they have lost each of their last 10 away games while conceding over two goals per match on average.

Compounding their on-field woes is the uncertainty surrounding the squad’s future. With several key players out of contract in the summer and the club preparing for life in the second tier, motivation levels could hardly be lower. For many in the squad, these final matches represent little more than a formality before they seek new opportunities elsewhere.

Udinese, in contrast, still have something tangible to play for. A strong finish could see them secure a top-half position, which would be a respectable achievement given their turbulent season. Manager Kosta Runjaic will be eager to ensure his team does not take Monza lightly, despite their abysmal form. Football has a habit of producing surprises, and Udinese cannot afford complacency if they are to capitalize on their recent upturn in results.

For Monza, this match is more about pride than anything else. Avoiding the tag of "worst Serie A team in history" may seem like scant consolation, but it could provide some semblance of motivation for the players. Whether that will be enough to overcome a Udinese side with superior quality and greater incentive remains highly doubtful.

As the two teams prepare to face off, the contrast in their situations could not be starker. Udinese are looking to finish the season with a flourish, while Monza are simply hoping to avoid further embarrassment. The stage is set for what should, on paper, be a straightforward home victory—but football, as we know, is rarely that predictable.