MONZA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 18: Monza finally broke their Serie A duck with a hard-fought victory over Sassuolo at the U-Power Stadium, thanks to a Gustavo Varela brace. The Argentine forward opened the scoring and added a second to hand Ivan Juric his first win of the season, lifting the pressure on the Croatian coach after a dismal start. Sassuolo, fresh from their stunning 3-2 win over Juventus, were brought back down to earth despite a late Vasilije Adzic free kick that set up a tense finale.
Juric had entered the match under immense scrutiny, with just one point from four rounds and missing key players Patrick Ciurria, Jan Ziolkowski, and Matteo Pessina. However, the return of Ricardo Mangas from an ankle injury and the debut of loanee Noel Tornqvist from Como provided a timely boost. Monza’s tactical approach was clear: screen the defence, cut off passing lanes into Sassuolo’s attacking midfielders, and launch quick counter-attacks. That strategy paid off as Varela struck twice, exploiting gaps in a Sassuolo side that struggled to replicate the intensity that had undone Juventus.
Sassuolo, renowned for giant-killing acts, found themselves on the back foot for much of the encounter. A solitary yellow card in the 30th minute was the only notable flashpoint before the interval, highlighting a first half that promised much but delivered little in terms of clear-cut chances. The Neroverdi’s late rally, capped by Adzic’s free kick, made for a nervy ending, but Monza held firm to claim a vital three points. The result leaves Sassuolo ruing missed opportunities, while Monza can finally celebrate a season-defining win.
For Juric, the victory offers breathing room and a platform to build on. Varela’s clinical finishing and the team’s disciplined execution of their game plan were the difference. Sassuolo, meanwhile
Shimanta Das 
