Serie A: Monza 0-2 Torino – First Serie A goal for Casadei | OneFootball

Torino picked up a comfortable 2-0 victory over struggling Monza in Serie A in Sunday’s early kick-off slot, thanks to a first Serie A goal from Italy U21 star Cesare Casadei and a second in three appearances for fellow January recruit Eljif Elmas.

Che Adams returned to the Torino starting line-up in place of Antonio Sanabria, while Sebastian Walukiewicz was reintroduced at right-back in place of Marcus Holmgren Pedersen. Monza made several changes following a 4-0 loss to Roma at the Stadio Olimpico on Monday, including a first start up front for Keita Balde following his signing on a free transfer in February.

Click here to read more about the team news from today’s game.

Casadei received the ball 30 yards out early on and carried it into the corner of the area, but squeezed his shot just wide of Stefano Turati’s post from a tough angle.

Keita Balde also tried his luck from the edge of the area down at the opposite end, but he dragged just wide of Sergej Milinkovic-Savic’s post, too.

Adams and Nikola Vlasic combined nicely just outside the Monza area, teeing up Walukiewicz, who fluffed his lines from 11 yards out, allowing Turati to gather comfortably.

Monza full-back Kyriakopoulos also tested Milinkovic-Savic,  registering a shot on target this time, but the strike was low and central, which allowed the Serbian to make a relatively routine save.

MONZA, ITALY – MARCH 02: Nikola Vlasic of Torino runs with the ball under pressure from Armando Izzo of Monza during the Serie A match between Monza and Torino at U-Power Stadium on March 02, 2025 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)

Elmas had Torino in the lead five minutes before half-time with a well-taken first-time finish inside the area.

Lazaro’s clipped cross in from the right wing was problematic, Adams drew defenders away with a decoy run, which opened up the space for Elmas to sweep home with a first-time finish from the centre of the area for his second goal in what was his third Toro appearance.

Casadei drew an important save from Turati five minutes into the second half, hitting an improvised effort while falling over in the area, which looked like it might have been heading for the roof of the net had the Monza stopper not tipped it over for a corner.

The Italian youngster eventually put the ball in the back of the net with 65 minutes on the clock.

A neat Torino move that started at the back with Milinkovic-Savic saw Vlasic carry the ball into the Monza half, before feeding Adams, whose cut back took a deflection but bounced up kindly for Casadei, who took a touch off his head before slamming past Turati from the edge of the six-yard box for his first ever Serie A goal.

Tempers briefly boiled over 15 minutes before time as several players from both sides came together on the touchline, resulting in bookings for Tomas Palacios and Guillermo Maripan.

Walukiewicz had been bundled over by Alessandro Bianco, who then tried to kick the ball from underneath the Torino defender, which drew an angry response from the Pole, his teammates and several Monza players in retaliation.

Elmas 41’, Casadei 66’.