Serie A: Como Overcomes Early Deficit to Beat Monza 3-1

Como completes a comeback victory over Monza, overcoming an early goal to win 3-1 and push their opponents closer to relegation.

Como completed a comeback victory over Monza, overcoming an early goal from Dany Mota Carvalho to win with strikes from Jonathan Ikone, Assane Diao, and Mergim Vojvoda. The win pushed Monza closer to relegation, as the hosts struggled without key players Matteo Pessina and Andrea Carboni.

Monza's coach, Cesc Fabregas, expressed frustration with his team's performance after scraping just two points from their last four matches, including draws with Venezia and Empoli. The team was also dealing with injuries to Ignace van der Brempt, Alberto Dossena, and Ivan Azon, but welcomed back Nico Paz and Dele Alli from suspension.

Monza took a surprise early lead when Dany Mota Carvalho controlled a long ball over the top from Georgios Kyriakopoulos. Oliver Kempf failed to effectively defend, allowing Carvalho to sweep in the goal with the inside of his right boot from eight yards.

Como equalized 11 minutes later when Jonathan Ikone cut inside from the right and drilled a left-foot finish into the far bottom corner. Stefano Turati was unsighted, and the goal marked a turning point in the game. Tasos Douvikas, who had his first Como start, also threatened Monza's goal, stinging Turati's gloves. The game turned in Como's favor when Pedro Pereira failed to cut out Maxence Caqueret's roll across from the right, allowing Assane Diao to score from 12 yards.

Three points at Monza! ⏹️ pic.twitter.com/NOIFjimmcL

— Como1907 (@Como_1907) April 5, 2025

Como had a chance to take a 3-1 lead moments later, but Dany Mota was robbed in midfield, sparking a counter-attack. However, Diao's shot was parried by Turati, and Tasos Douvikas's follow-up was blasted over the bar, leaving Como to continue their pursuit of a second goal.

The referee incorrectly awarded a penalty to Monza just before half-time when Jean Butez brought down Dany Mota, as the Monza striker was offside. The mistake was quickly forgotten after the restart, as Butez made an extraordinary double save. He pushed Keita Balde Diao's strike onto the crossbar with one hand and then repeated the feat on Dany Mota's follow-up.

Assane Diao is the Panini Player of the Match! 🏆#MonzaComo pic.twitter.com/2Y9aU2KRJ2

— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) April 5, 2025

Como extended their lead shortly after, as Mergim Vojvoda was left unmarked on a Maxence Caqueret pass. Vojvoda smashed a right-footed shot into the near top corner, giving Monza no chance. Monza's goalkeeper, Butez, made another impressive save to deny Dany Mota at the near post. Meanwhile, Tasos Douvikas had a chance to make it 3-1 but turned Danilo D'Ambrosio and skimmed the upright from the edge of the area.