Juventus snapped their run of four consecutive draws with a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Monza on Sunday, highlighting their resilience as they navigated through the Serie A season. The match, held at the Stadio Brianteo, showcased first-half goals from Weston McKennie and Nicolás González, as well as Monza's equalizer by Samuele Birindelli, which created dramatic twists and turns throughout.
The win put Juventus sixth on the Serie A table with 31 points, nine points behind leaders Atalanta, who triumphed over Empoli 3-2. Meanwhile, Monza continues to struggle, remaining mired at the bottom with only 10 points, still five points adrift of safety.
Juventus started the match brightly, with McKennie scoring the opener just 14 minutes in. After enduring some pressure from Monza, the visitors seized the moment when the ball fell to McKennie after a chaotic scramble in the box. The American midfielder volleyed the ball home, sending the Juventus fans cheering with relief.
Monza's response came quickly, with Samuele Birindelli, the son of former Juventus defender Alessandro Birindelli, scoring his first Serie A goal just eight minutes later. He connected perfectly with a cross from the right, volleying it past Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny. The irony of his goal was not lost on fans, as it came against the club where his father enjoyed great success, making 305 appearances and winning several titles.
But Juventus found their rhythm again just before halftime. Nicolás González netted the second goal for the visitors six minutes before the break after reacting sharply to Monza's failed clearance from inside the box. His timely strike restored Juve's lead and brought the team back on track as they headed to the locker room.
With the first half concluding at 2-1, Juventus faced challenges after the break, particularly with midfielder Teun Koopmeiners exiting the game due to a thigh issue. His replacement, Khephren Thuram, had notable contributions but couldn't quite break down Monza's defense effectively. Despite some chances for both sides, including a close header from Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz, the score remained unchanged.
After the match, Juventus coach Thiago Motta reflected on the performance, praising his team's ability to regain control after Monza's equalizer. "We played the game to win; when we took the lead, we were doing well. Then after the equaliser, we were good at getting back,” Motta commented. He emphasized the importance of players like McKennie and González, stating, "It's no coincidence they scored and they deserve it."
Weston McKennie shared his thoughts on the game, indicating how significant the victory was for the team and its supporters. "To win was very important; we have drawn too many games recently. Three points before Christmas was pivotal for us, for the fans, for every family involved." He expressed his appreciation for coach Motta's impact and the energy González brought to the squad.
On the flip side, Monza's head coach Alessandro Nesta remains determined to steer the team away from the relegation zone. Despite their recent struggles and the unfortunate loss, he stressed the need for his squad to emulate their positive performances from earlier matches. "We are five points away from safety, which is not disastrous," Nesta noted. He also mentioned the club's transitions as they work to recover form and tactical stability.
Looking at the broader picture, Juventus now enjoys the longest unbeaten streak across the top five European leagues, at 25 matches. Yet, the series of draws still looms large—ten draws to be exact—that raise flags concerning their pursuit of this season's league title. Acknowledging the growing competitive edge of Serie A, Juventus's path remains fraught with challenges as they navigate through the remainder of the season.
With this victory, Juventus looks to gain momentum heading toward their next match against Fiorentina after the Christmas break. It is hoped this win could be the catalyst they need to challenge for higher positions on the league table now. Conversely, Monza will need to regroup and draw strength from their familial links and local support as they aim to evade relegation when they meet future opponents.
