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·24 February 2024

Serie A | Salernitana 0-2 Monza: No respite for Liverani

Monza made it two consecutive victories thanks to Daniel Maldini and Matteo Pessina goals, leaving Fabio Liverani’s Salernitana increasingly isolated at the foot of the table.

Things had not improved with third coach of the campaign Liverani making his debut in a 4-0 defeat to leaders Inter. Norbert Gyomber, Lorenzo Pirola and Niccolò Pierozzi were injured, but Federico Fazio was back in the squad and Kostas Manolas made his first start in a new three-man defence. Monza missed Samuel Vignato and Gianluca Caprari, but goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio recovered from a knock to the head.

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Barely 60 seconds in, Samuele Birindelli intercepted a midfield pass and sprinted forward, his cross finding Milan Djuric for a right-foot volley that thumped the upright.

Moments later, Djuric’s header flashed just wide, then Guillermo Ochoa made a stunning reaction save from point-blank range as a corner was flicked on for Armando Izzo.

Grigoris Kastanos tried to fight back, the left-foot curler from a huge distance flashing just wide, while Roberto Gagliardini deflected the Antonio Candreva strike wide of the near post.

Gagliardini couldn’t keep his diving header on target from the Andrea Colpani cross, but Monza threatened twice from set plays after the break.

First Djuric’s knockdown was cleared at the back post by Marco Pellegrino, then on the following corner Ochoa somehow prevented a Gagliardini tap-in.

Luca Caldirola at full stretch managed to deflect the Kastanos curler off target after good work from Antonio Candreva, then Michele Di Gregorio made a stunning double save at the near post on Loum Tchaouna, first with the left foot, then the right.

It proved pivotal, as moments later Monza took the lead when Daniel Maldini completed a give and go with Gagliardini down the left flank and beat Ochoa with an angled drive.

Monza doubled their lead soon after, as Djuric flicked on the long Di Gregorio goal kick and Matteo Pessina showed real class for a delicate lob over Ochoa.