On Sunday, April 27, 2025, Juventus is set to host Monza in a crucial Matchday 34 clash of the Serie A season. The match will take place at the Allianz Stadium in Turin, with kick-off scheduled for 18:00 CEST (17:00 UK time, 12:00 ET). This game is pivotal for both teams, but for entirely different reasons.
Juventus, under interim coach Igor Tudor, is desperately trying to salvage a season that has seen them slide down to fifth place after a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Parma earlier in the week. Missing out on Champions League qualification would be catastrophic for the Bianconeri, who have ambitions of returning to Europe's elite competition. With five matches left in the season, they sit precariously outside the top four, making this match against the rock-bottom Monza a must-win.
Injuries have plagued Juventus, with several key players sidelined. Dusan Vlahovic, who limped off against Parma, is among those unavailable, along with Teun Koopmeiners, Federico Gatti, Arkadiusz Milik, Gleison Bremer, and Juan Cabal. This has forced Tudor to rely on Randal Kolo Muani, who is getting a rare start alongside Kenan Yildiz and Nico Gonzalez. Kolo Muani, in particular, is under pressure to end his goal drought and deliver for his team.
On the other hand, Monza comes into this match struggling mightily. They have lost their last four matches and sit at the bottom of the Serie A table, practically resigned to relegation. Their last victory came back in mid-January, marking only their second win of the season. Coach Alessandro Nesta's squad has been hit hard by injuries as well, with key players like Armando Izzo, Danilo D’Ambrosio, Keita Balde, and club captain Matteo Pessina all sidelined.
Despite their dire situation, Monza has shown glimpses of resilience, narrowly losing to Napoli and leading Inter 2-0 before collapsing to a 3-2 defeat. They will look to Dany Mota Carvalho and Gianluca Caprari to spearhead their attack against a Juventus side that has struggled defensively at times.
In terms of the starting line-ups, Juventus will line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, featuring Di Gregorio in goal, flanked by Kalulu, Veiga, and Kelly in defense. The midfield will see McKennie, Locatelli, K. Thuram, and Cambiaso, while Yildiz and Gonzalez will support Kolo Muani in attack. Monza, adopting a 3-5-2 formation, will have Turati in goal, with Pereira, Caldirola, and Carboni in defense, and a midfield comprising Birindelli, Castrovilli, Bianco, Akpa Akpro, and Kyriakopoulos. Mota Carvalho and Caprari will lead the line for the visitors.
Historically, Juventus has had the upper hand in this fixture, winning five out of their seven encounters against Monza, who have managed to secure just two victories. The last time these two teams met, Juventus triumphed 2-1, with goals from Nicolas Gonzalez and Weston McKennie.
As the match approaches, the stakes couldn't be higher. Juventus must find a way to capitalize on their home advantage and secure all three points to keep their Champions League hopes alive. Meanwhile, Monza will be fighting for pride and to avoid the embarrassment of relegation. The Allianz Stadium is expected to be buzzing as fans hope to witness a decisive performance from the Bianconeri.
The match will be broadcasted live on various platforms, including Paramount+ in the US and OneFootball in the UK, ensuring that fans worldwide can follow the action as it unfolds. With the clock ticking down on the season, every point is crucial, and both teams are aware of the significance of this encounter.
In conclusion, as Juventus faces Monza, the game promises to be a thrilling encounter filled with drama and intensity. Will Juventus rise to the occasion and secure their place in the Champions League race, or will Monza pull off a remarkable upset in their fight against relegation? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: this match is one not to be missed.
