Serie A: Monza Hold On for Point Against Lecce in Relegation Battle

Monza held on for a 0-0 draw against Lecce, with goalkeeper Stefano Turati making key saves to secure a crucial point in the relegation battle.

Alessandro Nesta made a surprise return to the Monza bench and guided his team to a hard-fought draw in a crucial relegation battle against Lecce. Despite creating the better chances, Lecce were unable to capitalize on their dominance, allowing Monza to secure a vital point.

Nesta's return to the Monza bench came less than two months after his initial departure, which made way for Salvatore Bocchetti. However, Bocchetti's tenure was short-lived, yielding just one win and six defeats, including a humiliating 5-1 loss to Lazio. Monza's squad was depleted due to injuries, with several key players missing, including Danilo D'Ambrosio, Samuele Birindelli, and Roberto Gagliardini.

Lecce, meanwhile, were without Nicola Sansone and Filip Marchwinski, while goalkeeper Medon Berisha was struggling with flu symptoms. The visitors came agonizingly close to taking an early lead when Thorir Helgason's long-range free kick dipped viciously, bouncing off the top of the crossbar in the second minute.

Nothing to separate Monza and Lecce ⚖️#MonzaLecce pic.twitter.com/TnFQ6kieMw

— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) February 16, 2025

As the match progressed, both teams created scoring opportunities. Lecce's Nikola Krstovic saw his volley palmed away by Monza goalkeeper Stefano Turati, who was returning to the lineup. At the other end, Pedro Pereira squandered a chance for Monza, firing his volley over the bar.

A clean sheet and the Panini Player of the Match award for Stefano Turati 🏆#MonzaLecce pic.twitter.com/xo0RrTwcJp

— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) February 16, 2025

Wladimiro Falcone produced a spectacular save to deny Gianluca Caprari, palming the striker's effort out from under the bar with his trailing hand. This impressive reflex stop prevented Lecce from taking the lead and highlighted Falcone's exceptional goalkeeping skills.

Meanwhile, Stefano Turati was also tested in the Monza goal, as Thorir Helgason unleashed a sudden snapshot that stung the goalkeeper's gloves. Turati's ability to handle the powerful strike demonstrated his own goalkeeping prowess.

Keita Balde Diao made his Monza debut in the final 12 minutes, arriving as a free agent earlier in the week. Despite his introduction, Lecce continued to push for a winner, with Nikola Krstovic seeing his counter-attack deflected wide. Santiago Pierotti also threatened, but Turati got down well to save the midfielder's daisy-cutter at the near bottom corner.