Juventus secure 2-1 win over Monza to end draw streak
Turin, Italy
Juventus secured a 2-1 victory at bottom side Monza with first-half goals from Weston McKennie and Nicolas Gonzalez on Sunday to end a run of four Serie A draws.
Match Highlights
The result left Juve in sixth place with 31 points, nine behind leaders Atalanta, who beat Empoli 3-2, while Monza stay on 10 points, five points adrift of the safety zone.
Juve’s Unbeaten Streak Continues
The Turin side’s victory extended their unbeaten league run to 25 matches, the longest streak in the big five European leagues, but 10 draws have left them lagging in the title race.
Match Report
The match got off to a lively start, with Juventus taking the lead after a dangerous scramble that Monza barely managed to clear off the line before failing to mark at the ensuing corner as McKennie volleyed in after 14 minutes.
Monza Equalise
Samuele Birindelli equalised for Monza eight minutes later after meeting a cross perfectly to volley the ball into the bottom corner for his first Serie A goal. The strike carried an ironic twist as Samuele is the son of Alessandro Birindelli, a former Juventus player who made 305 appearances for the club, winning three league titles.
Gonzalez Seals the Win
The visitors were back in the lead six minutes before the break though when a cross led to a scrambled clearance from Monza inside the box and Gonzalez reacted swiftly to fire home.
Halftime Substitution
Juve manager Thiago Motta had a problem at halftime when midfielder Teun Koopmeiners had to be replaced with Khephren Thuram after reportedly struggling with a thigh problem.
Second Half Action
The second half was less intense but visiting forward Kenan Yildiz did manage a late header that was parried at point-blank range by Monza goalkeeper Stefano Turati.
Conclusion
Juventus’ victory at Monza marked an end to their streak of draws and a much-needed three points in their quest for a top-four finish in the Serie A table.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What was the score in the match between Juventus and Monza?
A: Juventus won 2-1.
Q: How many points does Juventus have in the Serie A table?
A: 31 points.
Q: How many points behind leaders Atalanta are Juventus?
A: 9 points.
Q: What is the length of Juventus’ unbeaten league run?
A: 25 matches.