Gustavo Varela has given Monza an early reference point in their fight to remain in Serie A. His two goals against Sassuolo delivered the Brianzoli’s first league victory of the season and offered Ivan Juric a forward whose influence is already extending well beyond the scoreline.
Varela leads Monza to their first win
Monza’s breakthrough came with Varela at the centre of it. The forward scored twice against Sassuolo, first with a header and then from the penalty spot, as Juric’s side collected their first three points of the campaign.
For a club whose survival hopes will depend on finding regular goals, the early return from Varela has been particularly significant. He has scored four times in his first four league appearances to receive a fantasy rating, showing an ability to make a decisive contribution when available.
- Monza secured their first league win against Sassuolo.
- Varela scored both goals, converting a header and a penalty.
- He has four Serie A goals from four rated appearances.
- His earlier goals in Italy came against Udinese and Inter.
A low-cost forward producing elite numbers
Varela missed the third matchday because of a physical issue, but he has otherwise featured in four of Monza’s first five fixtures. In each of those appearances, he has received at least a passing rating.
His form has also made him one of the early fantasy football stories of the season. Priced at 22 credits in Fantacampionato Gazzetta, Varela has returned a fantasy average of 8.5 while scoring four goals. What began as a modestly priced selection has quickly become a far more attractive proposition for managers looking for a starting striker.
For Juric, however, the more important calculation is on the pitch. Monza have found their first win, and Varela’s goals have given the coach a credible foundation on which to build the long campaign ahead.
