One Point from Four Games: Monza Need a Response Against Sassuolo

A difficult start puts Monza under pressure

Monza welcome Sassuolo on Friday, September 18, with the visitors six points ahead after four rounds. The match begins at 18:45 UTC in Serie A’s fifth round. Monza sit 18th with one point from four games, while Sassuolo are ninth on seven. AS Roma lead the table with 12 points, leaving Monza 11 points behind and Sassuolo five adrift.

The gap gives both teams a clear reason to pursue a positive result, but their immediate needs differ. Monza require their first league win and must start closing the distance to the teams above them. Sassuolo can strengthen their position in the upper half and keep the leaders within reach. The table may encourage Monza to take more initiative, while Sassuolo have a little more room to manage the contest.

Contrasting formations set the tactical tone

Monza have used a 3-4-2-1 in three matches and a 3-4-3 once. That preference suggests a back three with width supplied by the midfield line, while the two attacking players behind the striker could look for spaces around Sassuolo’s defensive shape. A switch to 3-4-3 would offer a more direct forward presence, although the available data does not establish which system Monza will select.

Sassuolo have favoured 4-3-3 in three games and 4-2-3-1 in one. Their four-man defence and midfield structure could give them a stable platform against Monza’s three-at-the-back approach. The 4-3-3 may stretch the home side across the pitch, while the 4-2-3-1 could add protection in central areas. Those are potential routes for Sassuolo rather than confirmed plans.

Form and home-away numbers

Monza’s recent sequence is Loss, Loss, Draw, Loss, with the most recent result listed first. At home, they have one defeat from one match, scoring twice and conceding three. They have yet to keep a home clean sheet. Sassuolo’s form reads Loss, Win, Draw, Win, giving them the stronger recent momentum. Away from home, they have drawn once and lost once, scoring three goals and conceding four, also without a clean sheet.

Adžić carries Sassuolo’s clearest scoring return

Vasilije Adžić is the only player listed in the scorer chart and has produced two goals and one assist in four appearances for Sassuolo. His numbers make him the visitors’ most obvious goal threat. Monza will need to limit the service reaching him, while Sassuolo can look to involve him around the final third.

Absences could reshape the options

Monza are without P. Ciurria and C. Ngonge, while M. Pessina is unavailable with a knee injury. I. Toure and J. Ziolkowski are also missing. Sassuolo must cope without D. Boloca, F. Cande, I. Kone, Y. Paz, E. Pieragnolo, C. Volpato and S. Walukiewicz. Kone’s broken leg and the injuries affecting Boloca, Paz and Walukiewicz reduce the visitors’ available choices, though the supplied information does not identify replacement roles.

Prediction: Monza 1-2 Sassuolo. Sassuolo’s higher position, stronger recent sequence and Adžić’s proven contribution give them the edge, but Monza’s home setting should keep the score close.