Juric Backs Monza Progress Ahead of Crucial Sassuolo Clash

Monza arrive at another early-season crossroads with only one point from four Serie A matches, yet Ivan Juric sees a side moving in the right direction rather than one trapped by its results. Sunday’s meeting with Sassuolo offers the Brianzoli a chance to turn encouraging work into the first victory of their campaign.

Monza seek substance after a difficult opening

The standings have been unforgiving for Monza. Their first four league fixtures brought a draw against Parma and defeats to Inter, Udinese and Lecce, leaving the club with one point.

Juric, however, argued that the performances have carried more promise than the record suggests. He believes the group has improved considerably and described the work done so far as excellent, while accepting that greater resilience is needed at the back.

“We must become tougher,” Juric said. “There are passages of a match when you need more aggression and more precision. That edge has to emerge.”

The coach and the club

For Juric, the central issue is not a lack of commitment within the squad. He said his players have an exceptional desire to develop, and explained that he studies every match closely, including the statistical evidence.

The numbers, in his view, tell a severe story: Monza have allowed relatively little, but have paid heavily when opponents have found their moments. At the other end, the team are creating their football well enough but have struggled to convert their approach play into goals.

“We put together the moves, but we are finding it difficult to finish them,” he said. “The win will come sooner or later. What happens in the final metres is decisive; those details change matches.”

Sassuolo arrive with renewed confidence

Sassuolo travel to Monza after a late home win over Juventus, a result that gives the Neroverdi obvious momentum. Juric expects a charged opponent, but his attention remains on what Monza can correct within their own game.

There will also be a debut in goal. Juric confirmed that Tornqvist will start against Sassuolo. The goalkeeper joined Monza from Como on the final day of the transfer window and has not yet made an appearance for the club.

His selection gives Monza a new face for an afternoon that is already about more than a single result: it is about making the progress Juric sees visible on the table.