Serie A | Gameweek 36

May 11, 2025 at 11.30am UK

Dacia Arena

Udinese vs Monza

Match preview

With both goals and points drying up, Udinese were relieved to see off Cagliari last time out as Oier Zarraga and Thomas Kristensen scored in both halves to secure a 2-1 win away from home.

After a run of five straight defeats, the Bianconeri have now taken four points from their last two games, keeping them in contention for a top-half finish with Como and Torino their main rivals.

Having narrowly escaped relegation at this time last year, the Friuli side are comfortable in 12th place, with 13th the worst they can do.

Having failed to score in their last three home games, losing twice, Kosta Runjaic's men will be hoping to end that drought when they host Serie A's bottom side on Sunday.

So far, Udinese and Monza have both drawn their top-flight meetings in Udine - 2-2 two years ago and 0-0 in February 2024 - but the home side are firm favourites to pick up maximum points.

After a 2-1 home defeat in December, Monza have yet to beat Udinese in five Serie A encounters and this could be their last chance to do so for some time.

In disarray and destined for the second tier next season, the Bianconeri were officially relegated last weekend, with many of their players out of contract this summer.

A 4-0 home defeat to Atalanta BC was the final nail in their coffin, leaving Alessandro Nesta's side on a meagre 15 points with just three games remaining.

The last team to finish a Serie A season with 15 points or fewer were Ancona in 2003-04 (13), but in a 20-team campaign, Salernitana (17 in 2023-24) have set the low bar.

At the end of their first spell among Italy's elite, Monza appear to be going down with a whimper, having failed to score in their last four games.

They have also lost each of their last 10 away from home, conceding at a rate of over two goals per game, so expectations will be low when they travel north this weekend.

Recent Performance

Udinese Serie A form:LLLLDW

Monza Serie A form:LLLLLL

Team News

Udinese's top scorer Lorenzo Lucca is back in contention after being sidelined with a calf injury, and the Italian striker will challenge Keinan Davis for a place up front.

Lucca's usual strike partner Florian Thauvin remains sidelined with a foot problem, but Kingsley Ehizibue and Martin Payero are back in contention after serving their respective suspensions.

Both Lucca and Jaka Bijol scored in the reverse fixture in December and have long been the subject of transfer speculation. The latter, who anchors Udinese's back three, has made the most clearances (178) and interceptions (37) for his club this season.

Meanwhile, Monza have had a settled side since Alessandro Nesta returned from his mid-season sacking, albeit to little effect. Goal-shy strikers Dany Mota and Gianluca Caprari could be reunited, with the latter having provided five assists against Udinese in his Serie A career.

Although Nesta have lost veteran defender Luca Caldirola to injury, Andrea Carboni is back from suspension and first-choice goalkeeper Stefano Turati has recovered from illness.

Joining Caldirola on the sidelines are Kevin Zeroli, Keita Balde, Silvere Ganvoula, Armando Izzo, Matteo Pessina and Roberto Gagliardini.

Possible starting lineup

Udinese possible starting lineup:

Okoye; Kristensen, Bijol, Solet; Ehizibue, Atta, Karlstrom, Lovric, Kamara; Lucca, Davis

Monza possible starting lineup:

Turati; Pereira, Lekovic, Palacios; Birindelli, Castrovilli, Bianco, Akpa Akpro, Kyriakopoulos; Caprari, Mota