Serie A

Football Italia

·13 January 2025

Serie A | Monza 2-1 Fiorentina: Maldini keeps survival hopes alive

Daniel Maldini took centre stage in Monza’s 2-1 win over Fiorentina on Monday evening, keeping the Brianzoli’s hopes alive.

Monza secured their second victory this season, the first under new coach Salvatore Bocchetti, on Monday, beating Fiorentina 2-1 at the U-Power Stadium.

OneFootball Videos

The Tuscans had the first chance after barely five minutes, but Albert Gudmundsson sent a shot from excellent position over the crossbar.

Fiorentina were given a penalty kick a few minutes later for a Pablo Marì foul on Andrea Sottil, but referee Federico Dionisi revoked it after a VAR check as he noticed it was the Fiorentina winger colliding with the Monza defender after a sliding tackle, not the other way around.

Warren Bondo put his name on the first Monza chance at minute 24, but his shot from outside the box was wide.

The hosts took the lead seconds before the half-time whistle when Patrick Ciurria scored his first goal since May 2023. Pedro Pereira pounced on a long ball inside the box, Pietro Comuzzo cleared the area but reached Ciurria, who found the net at the far post with a perfect curler.

MONZA, ITALY – JANUARY 13: Daniel Maldini of AC Monza celebrates after scoring their team’s second goal during the Serie A match between AC Monza and ACF Fiorentina at U-Power Stadium on January 13, 2025 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Fiorentina reacted strongly in the second half, forcing Andrea Carboni to a goal-line clearance on a Dodo cross from the right.

Maldini doubled Monza’s lead at minute 62, getting at the end of a Pedro Pereira cross and scoring with a right-footed volley before Yacine Adli could intervene.

Maldini’s goal was particularly meaningful as Italy CT Luciano Spalletti was watching in the stands tonight.

New Fiorentina signing Michael Folorunsho made his debut at minute 63, replacing Amir Richardson. Fiorentina got back in the game ten minutes later when Lucas Beltran, another Fiorentina substitute, earned and converted a penalty although Stefano Turati had guessed the right direction.

Maldini continued inspiring Monza with a shot over the bar at minute 80 and a final pass for Milan Djuric who could not cause trouble for David de Gea.

Fiorentina had the last two chances but failed to equalise. Christian Kouame sent a header out wide while Jonathan Ikoné did not find space to beat Turati from a tight angle.

Fiorentina have lost three of the last four Serie A matches and are four points below the top four. Monza remain at the bottom of the table, but are six points below Verona in 17th.