Primavera, Monza-Cagliari 2-1

The Rossoblù Primavera returns empty-handed from their trip to Monza: 2-1 to the hosts, with numerous chances created by Pisacane’s team, but the home goalkeeper was the standout performer.

CAGLIARI DANGEROUS, BUT MONZA AHEAD
The first few minutes are a period of study. Simonetta lights up the game in the 26th minute with a shot saved by goalkeeper Vailati, and Arba’s subsequent cross doesn’t find any teammates. In the 33rd minute, Simonetta takes a free kick aimed at the corner, but Vailati dives and denies the ball from going in. Marini arrives for a sliding attempt but misses the target. Monza has little to show until the 40th minute, when Longhi falls in the box after being held by Simonetta, and the referee awards a penalty. Domenico’s execution is perfect, striking at mid-height; Iliev guesses the direction but can’t reach the ball. The Rossoblù respond immediately, with Marcolini finding the right corner, but the goal is disallowed for offside.

TWO DOWN
Pisacane makes two changes right after the break: Grandu and Liteta replace Cogoni and Pintus. Vailati is called into action on a dangerous free kick from Marcolini, but the goalkeeper sends it out for a corner. Monza responds with a header from Postiglioni off a corner, but Iliev is excellent in making the save. From Forson’s corner, a scramble ensues, and Longhi scores with a bicycle kick into the far corner to double the lead. Pisacane makes his third substitution in the 61st minute: Achour comes on for Marini, aiming to strengthen the attack and attempt a comeback. The substitute makes an immediate impact, firing a venomous shot from distance, but Vailati is able to parry it out for a corner.

BOLZAN PULLS ONE BACK
Cagliari continues to press and finally breaks the deadlock: a vertical passing move from Marcolini to Simonetta to Bolzan, who fires a shot under the crossbar. This time, Vailati can only watch as the ball hits the back of the net—a fantastic goal in the 68th minute. In the 72nd minute, another chance for the Rossoblù: a run and cross from the right by Grandu, and Achour heads the ball toward the far corner, but Vailati pulls off another great save. Sulev comes on for Marcolini, and Pisacane also plays his final card with Trepy, who replaces Vinciguerra. The substitute almost equalizes with a powerful solo effort, unleashing a fierce shot from outside the box that narrowly misses the post.

ILIEV NEARLY EQUALIZES
The last chance for Cagliari comes in the 4th minute of added time: a corner from Simonetta finds Iliev, who pushes forward into attack and heads the ball toward goal. A Monza defender manages to clear it off the line with the goalkeeper beaten. A real blow for Cagliari. On Sunday, Torino will visit the CRAI Sport Center.

SCOREBOARD

MONZA: Vailati, Postiglioni, Domanico, Azarovs, Nenè (86′ Bagnaschi), De Bonis (73′ Pedrazzini), Berretta, N. Ballabio, Capolupo (46′ Reita), Longhi (86′ Gaye), Forson (67′ Zanaboni) – A disp.: Ballabio A., Viti, Crasta, Romanini, Miani. Mgr.: Brevi.

CAGLIARI: Iliev, Cogoni (46′ Liteta), Soldati, Pintus (46′ Grandu), Arba, Balde, Marcolini (82′ Sulev), Simonetta, Marini (61′ Achour), Bolzan, Vinciguerra (73′ Trepy). A disp.: Ausekis, Malfitano, Ardau, Tronci, Franke. Mgr.: Pisacane.

REFEREE: Bozzetto di Bergamo.

GOALS: 41′ Domanico (rigore), 54′ Longhi, 68′ Bolzan.