Monza arrive at the Olimpico with an opportunity to turn a single encouraging result into a different kind of season. Ivan Juric’s side beat Sassuolo before the international break, but a visit to Lazio now tests whether that performance can become the beginning of momentum rather than an isolated Sunday.
Monza seek a break with the past
- Juric takes his team to Rome this afternoon with only three long-term absentees: Pessina, Touré and Ziolkowski.
- The Monza coach has significant choice in the attacking midfield positions, where Cutrone and Robinson are currently ahead in the contest for two places.
- Zeballos, Colpani, Ngonge and Mota remain alternatives in an area of the pitch where Juric has depth available.
- Tornqvist is set to continue in goal, having established himself as the regular starter, as Monza pursue their first Serie A clean sheet of the campaign.
The Sassuolo victory was important, but Monza have not managed consecutive league wins since March 2024. That statistic gives the Lazio fixture a wider meaning: it is a chance to show that the squad can sustain its work through the changing demands of a Serie A season.
A first win over Lazio remains the target
There is also history to overcome. Monza have never beaten Lazio in Serie A, with four defeats and two draws from their six meetings in the division. A result at the Olimpico would therefore carry more weight than three points alone, offering the club its first league success against one of the established sides of the championship.
Juric’s hopes in attack rest heavily on Varela, who has made a sharp opening impression. The forward has scored four goals across his first four Serie A appearances for the newly promoted club.
Only two players have produced a better return through their first five top-flight matches for a promoted side in the era of three points for a win: Brescia’s Hubner and Benevento’s Diabatè, each reaching at least five goals. Varela now has the chance in Rome to move closer to that company, while Monza try to give their season a more durable direction.
