Genoa Hosts Monza in Crucial Serie A Relegation Battle

GENOA, Italy — Genoa and Monza will face off in a pivotal Serie A clash on Monday, January 27, 2025, at Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris. The match, set for 7:45 p.m. local time, pits mid-table Genoa against relegation-threatened Monza in a contest with significant implications for both teams.

Genoa, seeking only their second home win of the season, enter the match with momentum after a recent victory over Parma. Under the guidance of manager Vieira, the Grifone have lost just two of their last 11 league matches, climbing away from the relegation zone. Their most recent outing, however, ended in a 3-1 defeat to Roma, despite a memorable first Serie A goal from rookie midfielder Patrizio Masini.

Monza, sitting at the bottom of the table, are desperate for points to close the seven-point gap to safety. Despite scoring in nine consecutive Serie A matches for the first time in their history, the Biancorossi have struggled defensively, failing to keep a clean sheet in any of those games. New coach Salvatore Bocchetti, a former Genoa defender, faces an uphill battle to steer his team clear of relegation.

Historically, Genoa have dominated this fixture at home, losing just once in 21 league matches against Monza at Stadio Ferraris. The sole defeat came last March, when Monza secured a dramatic 3-2 victory. Earlier this season, Genoa edged Monza 1-0 away, thanks to a goal from their top scorer.

Team news for Genoa includes the potential return of Portuguese forward and captain, who are back in training after injuries. However, they may be limited to bench roles. Defender Sabelli could replace the injured right-back, while Masini is expected to partner with Frendrup in midfield. Monza will miss several key players due to injuries, including their influential defender, but wing-back Kyriakopoulos returns from suspension.

Genoa’s strong defensive record, with six clean sheets in their last 11 matches, suggests Monza may struggle to find the net. With Monza’s poor away form and mounting injury concerns, Genoa are favored to secure a crucial victory in their quest for mid-table stability.