Serie A | Gameweek 27

Mar 2, 2025 at 11.30am UK

U-Power Stadium

Monza vs Torino

Match preview

The latest victims of Roma's resurgence, Monza conceded twice in each half at the Stadio Olimpico last time out, leaving them nine points adrift of safety.

Alessandro Nesta's return to the dugout - after a dismal spell under Salvatore Bocchetti - has yet to bring about a significant change in fortunes, leaving them in need of a minor miracle to stay afloat.

The Bianconeri have amassed just 14 points this season and, on the basis of three points per game, only one of the 25 teams with that many points or fewer after 26 Serie A games has ever avoided relegation.

With a dozen games to go, Monza will be hoping to replicate Crotone's great escape eight years ago, but there is little evidence to support such hopes.

They have averaged less than a goal per game this season and have failed to score in either of their last two home games, having sold their most prolific marksman, Milan Djuric, to bitter rivals Parma.

Monza's first Serie A match came against Torino in August 2022, and they have yet to win any of the five top-flight meetings between the two sides - a sixth failure on Sunday could see them effectively relegated.

While their hosts may be stuck in Serie B, Torino have recently turned a corner and are challenging for a top-10 finish.

A week after seeing their unbeaten run since the start of 2025 come to an end at the hands of Bologna, the Granata overcame once-mighty Milan, Gvidas Gineitis scoring the winner in a 2-1 victory.

Vanja Milinkovic-Savic was also on hand to save Christian Pulisic's first-half penalty, and Toro's Serbian stopper has saved the most spot-kicks in Europe's top five leagues this season - four out of five so far.

The win means Paolo Vanoli's side could now record back-to-back league victories for the first time since August, when they visit a team with just one home win to their name this term.

Having lost just one of their last nine matches, the Rossoneri will be hoping to do just that, potentially closing a five-point gap on 10th-placed Udinese.

Recent Performance

Monza Serie A form:LLLLDL

Torino Serie A form:DWDDLW

Team News

Monza's injury list remains long and includes Gianluca Caprari, Omari Forson, Stefano Sensi, Roberto Gagliardini, Andrea Carboni, Gaetano Castrovilli, Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro and captain Matteo Pessina.

Luca Caldirola and Samuele Birindelli are also doubts, but Armando Izzo is back in contention after serving a suspension.

Dany Mota, who has been waiting for a league goal since October, will support Silvere Ganvoula or Keita Balde up front. Since Monza's Serie A debut in 2022, Mota has been their top scorer (13) - starting with the club's first top-flight goal against Torino - but he has struggled in recent months.

Meanwhile, Torino's attack should be led by either Antonio Sanabria or Scottish striker Che Adams - the latter was rested last week but could return.

Although veteran defender Adam Masina is available after serving a one-match ban, Adrien Tameze and Alieu Njie are still in Toro's treatment room, along with long-term absentees Perr Schuurs and Duvan Zapata.

Cesare Casadei and Eljif Elmas, who have impressed since joining in the winter transfer window, are also in contention for a place in the starting line-up.

Possible starting lineup

Monza possible starting lineup:

Turati; Izzo, Lekovic, Palacios; Pereira, Urbanski, Bianco, Kyriakopoulos; Ciurria, Mota; Ganvoula

Torino possible starting lineup:

Milinkovic-Savic; Walukiewicz, Maripan, Coco, Biraghi; Ricci, Casadei; Lazaro, Vlasic, Elmas; Adams