Rome – Monza 24-02-2025

Since 2022, these teams have met five times in Serie A. Roma has won three of the matches and drawn twice. Despite a disappointing table position, Roma are still the big favorites in Monday's match. Table giant Monza has had a pitch-dark season and will really have to fight to keep their place in Serie A next season.

Rome – can the good trend continue?

After a weak start to the season, marked by coaching dismissals and poor results, Roma are now in 9th place in the league. Nevertheless, the form under Claudio Ranieri is very impressive. Since he took over last November, Roma have not lost in Serie A since December 15, 2024, when they lost 2-0 away to Como. Since then, they have delivered seven wins and three draws in ten matches. They have also advanced to the last 16 of the Europa League after a solid 3-2 win at home against Porto.

Ranieri has introduced a style of play that requires dynamic and adaptable players. When facing an established defence, Roma line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with the wingers pulling in behind the striker, while the full-backs act as wide-openers. This is very reminiscent of Napoli's approach under Antonio Conte, where the team can both play through the corridors centrally and threaten wide with crosses - a strategy Roma often employ by filling up the box.

Defensively, they drop into a compact five and defend their own box against crosses, while waiting for the opportunity to counter-attack. When a transition opportunity arises, they attack quickly and with many players. This tactic has proven effective for Ranieri's men, who now have an average of 1.4 goals per game and a positive goal difference of +7 (36-29).

One downside for Roma in this good phase is the absence of power forward and top scorer Artem Dovbyk, who will miss Monday's match due to injury. Most likely, backup forward Eldor Shomurodov will get his chance in attack. Despite only two goals in 14 matches this season, at 190 cm, he can be a threat in the air. 

Roma's counter-attacking football is both effective and entertaining, and this spring could be crucial for the capital club in their quest for a higher position in the table.

Monza – on thin ice

With only 14 points and last place in the table, it has been a tough season for Monza fans. It is especially disappointing after an impressive 12th place last season, where the team showed promising signs.

Just seven weeks after Alessandro Nesta was sacked as Monza coach, he is now back in the hope of turning the tide. With a goal difference of -18 (21-39) and a poor goalscoring average of 0.8 per game, the team has not been dangerous enough in front of the opposition's goal.

Monza has a distinct playing style and plays in a 3-4-3 formation offensively, where the defenders go high and wide, while the wings pull in behind the striker. This has similarities to Roma, Inter and Napoli, where the team can threaten both wide and centrally. The problem for Monza, however, is that they have not been skilled enough in this phase of the game.

Defensively, they try to line up in a compact five and force the opponent out wide to defend their own box. This has not worked well enough. The team is often counterattacked when the full-backs are out of position, and they have been far too passive in their own box. The result is that Monza neither scores enough goals, defends well enough nor wins matches.

Since their 3-0 away win against Hellas Verona last October, Monza have only won one match. They have delivered far below expectations, and the question is whether they can reverse this negative trend.

Conclusion 

Roma, in great form, host a Monza team that has been anything but convincing. I imagine a match where Roma will dominate possession and control the game, while also pressing Monza deep. This will be an exciting match to watch on Monday night.

Italy at 20:45: Rome – Monza: Total number of corners over 8.5 (1.67)

Alternative game;

Italy at 20:45: Roma – Monza: Over 2.5 goals for Roma (2.42)