Monza turned a tight opening hour into their most emphatic afternoon of the Serie A season, beating Cagliari 4-0 at the U-Power Stadium on Monday evening. The Matchday 7 result was built on the clarity of Monza’s counter-attacks and sealed by Gustavo Varela’s two goals.
The decision
Cagliari had opportunities to give the contest a different shape before Monza took control. M’Bala Nzola was denied from close range after 20 minutes, while Paul Mendy tested Noel Törnqvist seven minutes later. Zé Pedro had earlier headed wide from a Daniel Maldini corner, and Alessandro Romano also sent an effort over.
Monza’s breakthrough arrived in the 39th minute, when Eddy Kouadio completed a swift break. Dany Mota released him with a through ball and Kouadio finished from the middle of the area to put the home side ahead at the interval.
The second half began with the moment that separated the teams. Manga Foe Ondoa supplied Varela, who drove a low right-footed finish into the left corner from the right side of the box in the 47th minute.
Cagliari tried to respond through set pieces and pressure around the Monza area. Adam Obert had a shot blocked, Yerry Mina was stopped at close range, and Paul Mendy headed a corner wide. Mina also headed narrowly off target on 73 minutes, but the visiting side could not find the goal that might have reopened the match.
Instead, Monza struck again in the 66th minute. Varela set up Jay Robinson, whose right-footed attempt from outside the area made it 3-0. Andrea Colpani then hit the left post from a free kick, underlining the home side’s growing authority.
The fourth goal came from another break in the 79th minute. Robinson struck the right post after Colpani’s pass, and Varela reacted to finish low from the centre of the box for his second of the evening.
Sunday’s picture
Although the fixture was played on Monday, it brought Matchday 7 to a close with a result that gives Monza a substantial lift after a controlled and increasingly decisive performance. Cagliari had enough territory and enough chances to avoid such a heavy scoreline, but their final ball and finishing fell short when the game was still within reach.
Both teams used their benches as the match moved beyond Cagliari’s control. Monza introduced Andrea Colpani, Michael Folorunsho, Patrick Cutrone, Adam Bakoune and Omari Forson. Cagliari brought on Alieu Fadera, Yukinari Sugawara, Kevin Carlos, Joseph Liteta and Alessandro Deiola.
Kevin Carlos was twice denied late on, first from the centre of the area and then from close range, while Deiola fired over in stoppage time. Monza, however, continued to threaten: Cutrone had a shot blocked, and Andrea Carboni and Ricardo Mangas both missed from late corners.
Harry Winks was booked for Cagliari in the 76th minute, while Samuele Birindelli and Alieu Fadera received yellow cards after their confrontation six minutes later. The evening nevertheless belonged to Monza, whose four goals converted a competitive contest into a defining home win.
