MONZA, ITALY — Monza secured a commanding 4-1 victory over Carrarese at U-Power Stadium, with Samuele Birindelli's brace leading the charge in a performance that showcased the hosts' attacking prowess. Despite the teams sharing possession almost equally at 50.7%-49.3%, Monza's clinical finishing and relentless pressure proved too much for the visitors, who collected four yellow cards in a frustrating afternoon.
Birindelli opened the floodgates in the 9th minute, setting the tone for what would become a dominant display from the hosts. The right-back struck again in the 55th minute, doubling his tally and effectively putting the match beyond Carrarese's reach. Sandwiched between Birindelli's goals, Filippo Delli Carri extended Monza's advantage in the 44th minute, sending the home side into the break with a comfortable two-goal cushion. Carrarese briefly threatened a comeback when Filippo Distefano pulled one back in the 74th minute, but Andrea Petagna extinguished any hopes of a revival just ten minutes later, restoring the three-goal margin with his 84th-minute strike.
The tactical battle revealed Monza's superiority in the final third, where their movement and precision overwhelmed Carrarese's defensive structure. While the visitors' goalkeeper was called into action 7 times and produced several impressive stops, his heroics could only delay the inevitable. Carrarese's frustration manifested in their disciplined approach unraveling, with Gabriele Parlanti receiving the first booking in the 13th minute, followed by yellow cards for Simone Zanon, Julián Illanes, and Nicholas Schiavi. The hosts, by contrast, maintained their composure throughout, avoiding any cautions while dictating the tempo.
Monza created more chances throughout the contest, registering 15 shots compared to Carrarese's 9, but it was their ruthless efficiency that truly separated the sides. The hosts' remarkable 80% shots-on-target conversion rate demonstrated their clinical edge, with 12 of their 15 attempts forcing saves or finding the net. Carrarese managed just 4 shots on target from their 9 attempts, and despite winning 8 corners to Monza's 5, they struggled to translate set-piece opportunities into genuine threats.
The turning point arrived in the 55th minute when Birindelli's second goal effectively killed the contest. Carrarese manager responded with a double substitution three minutes later, introducing Devid Eugene Bouah and Filippo Melegoni in search of fresh legs, but Monza's control never wavered. The hosts made their own changes in the 67th minute, bringing on Leonardo Colombo and Andrea Petagna, with the latter making an immediate impact by adding the fourth goal. Agustín Álvarez Martínez, Samuele Capolupo, and Adam Bakoune also entered the fray as Monza managed the closing stages professionally.
Looking ahead, Monza will travel to face Modena on December 26, while Carrarese host Mantova on December 27.