Varela’s Two Goals Overturn Sassuolo’s Statistical Edge

Varela’s double gives Monza a 2-1 win

Monza defeated Sassuolo 2-1 at the U-Power Stadium on Friday, September 18, securing a home victory in Serie A’s fifth regular-season round. Gustavo Varela scored twice after half-time before Vasilije Adžić pulled one back late for Sassuolo. The result lifts Monza to 14th with four points from five matches, while Sassuolo remain ninth on seven points.

Varela changes the game after the break

The decisive moments came in the second half. Varela opened the scoring in the 51st minute, converting from open play after an assist from S. Birindelli. He struck again in the 63rd minute from the penalty spot to give Monza a two-goal advantage. The forward finished with a match-leading rating of 8.3, two shots on target and three key passes across 96 minutes.

Sassuolo responded in the 88th minute when Adžić scored a normal goal. Introduced in the 72nd minute and on the field for 24 minutes, Adžić also recorded one shot on target, two key passes and three tackles. His goal gave Sassuolo a late route back into the match, but Monza preserved the lead through the final whistle.

Sassuolo had more of the ball but not the result

The scoreline did not reflect Sassuolo’s greater control of possession and passing. Alberto Aquilani’s side had 65% of the ball, completed 513 of 580 passes and registered 20 total shots. Monza managed 35% possession, 248 accurate passes from 313 and 15 shots. Sassuolo also led shots on target 8-6 and produced 13 attempts from inside the box compared with Monza’s eight.

Monza’s two goals nevertheless made the difference, with its expected-goals figure at 1.45 against Sassuolo’s 1.58. Goalkeepers also faced sustained work: Noel Törnqvist made seven saves for Monza, while Arijanet Murić made four for Sassuolo. Those numbers underline a match in which Sassuolo created more volume, but Monza converted the key opportunities.

Discipline and changes shape the closing stages

Monza collected four yellow cards, compared with one for Sassuolo. E. Kouadio was booked in the 30th minute, followed by M. Folorunsho in the 74th and Birindelli in the 85th. Varela was cautioned in the 90th minute. L. Lipani received Sassuolo’s only yellow card, also in the 85th minute. Monza made three changes in the 56th minute, bringing on D. Mota, A. Bakoune and F. Ondoa, while Sassuolo introduced K. Bowie and Lipani in the 64th minute and B. Dominguez for D. Berardi in the 72nd.

Monza’s record now stands at one win, one draw and three defeats. Sassuolo have two wins, one draw and two defeats. Monza’s 2-1 success moved them three points clear of their lowest position in the listed table, while Sassuolo’s defeat left them with no change in ninth place.