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

Originally posted on Football Italia | By Lorenzo Bettoni | Last updated Jan 13, 2025 4:52 PM ET

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.

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.

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.

13-01-2025 19:45 MatchDay 20 Stadio Brianteo (U-Power Stadium)

Monza

Fiorentina 2 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

Patrick Ciurria

44'

2nd half

Stefano Turati		61'
Daniel Maldini (Assist: Pedro Pereira)

63' 74'

Lucas Beltrán Pedro Pereira 76' Patrick Ciurria 87' Warren Bondo 87' 87'

Luca Ranieri

Match statistic

34 Possession % 66 10 Total shots 11 3 Shots on target 2 5 Shots off target 6 2 Blocked shots 3 2 Corners 4 Offsides 1 26 Fouls 9 Monza Fiorentina

Starting lineups

30 Stefano Turati Goalkeeper 44 Andrea Carboni Defender 4

Armando Izzo Defender 22

Pablo Marí Defender 46' 42 Alessandro Bianco Midfielder 90' 14 Daniel Maldini Midfielder 90'

Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro Midfielder 90' 13

Pedro Pereira Midfielder 38

Warren Bondo Midfielder 10

Gianluca Caprari Attacker 58' 84 Patrick Ciurria Attacker 43

David de Gea Goalkeeper 2

Dodô Defender 6

Luca Ranieri Defender 15 Pietro Comuzzo Defender 24 Amir Richardson Midfielder 64' 23

Andrea Colpani Midfielder 68' 21

Robin Gosens Midfielder 68' 29

Yacine Adli Midfielder 10

Albert Gudmundsson Attacker 46' 20

Moise Kean Attacker 7

Riccardo Sottil Attacker

74'

Substitutes

Stefano Sensi Midfielder 24 Mirko Maric Attacker 69 Andrea Mazza Goalkeeper 19 Samuele Birindelli Defender 21 Semuel Pizzignacco Goalkeeper 57 Leonardo Colombo Midfielder 52 Nicolò Postiglione Defender 55 Kevin Martins Attacker 46' 11

Milan Djuric Attacker 58' 37

Andrea Petagna Attacker 90' 27

Mattia Valoti Midfielder 90' 80 Samuele Vignato Midfielder 90' 1

Pietro Terracciano Goalkeeper 8

Rolando Mandragora Midfielder 5

Marin Pongracic Defender 30 Tommaso Martinelli Goalkeeper 33 Michael Kayode Defender 22 Matías Moreno Defender 14 Nicolás Valentini Defender 9

Lucas Beltrán Attacker 46' Michael Folorunsho Midfielder 64' 11

Jonathan Ikoné Attacker 68' 65

Fabiano Parisi Defender 68' 99

Christian Kouamé Attacker

74'

This article first appeared on Football Italia and was syndicated with permission.