Catanzaro-Monza, the night of destiny: the first act of the Serie A final at the "Ceravolo". Here are Aquilani's squad

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There are only 180 minutes left to decide who will accompany Venice and Frosinone to the Serie A paradise. On Sunday 24 May, at 8.00 pm, the Nicola Ceravolo stadium will be transformed into a boiling basin of passion for the first leg final of the Serie BKT Playoffs. Opposite, Alberto Aquilani’s Catanzaro and Monza led by Paolo Bianco. A challenge that promises to be legendary, where the values of the regular season are reduced to zero in the face of the call of history.

Challenge Preview: Heart vs Battleship

Catanzaro arrives at this match on the wings of enthusiasm and thanks to a magical bond within the locker room, as underlined by Aquilani himself on the eve. The Giallorossi, fifth at the end of the regular season with 59 points, showed character to spare, even overcoming the bogeyman Palermo in the semi-final.

On the other side there is Monza, a real battleship built for the top championship, finishing third with 76 points (+17 over the Calabrians). If the Lombards can count on the best defense of the lot (only 32 goals conceded compared to Catanzaro’s 51), the Eagles respond with light-heartedness and the strength of their game ideas. The regulation should be remembered: in the event of an absolute tie in goals at the end of the return match (scheduled for 29 May at the U-Power Stadium), Monza will move up to Serie A due to their better position in the standings; no extra time or penalties.

Seasonal precedents: Balance and Sparks

The two direct clashes in the championship tell of a great balance, seasoned with very high tension finals:

First leg (Monza-Catanzaro 2-1): Success for the Brianza team within the friendly walls of the Brianteo stadium.
Return (Catanzaro-Monza 1-1): Played last April 6th at Ceravolo. A crazy match: Giallorossi ahead with Pontisso in the 5th minute, then Alesi’s expulsion which leaves Catanzaro with 10 men. In the final, everything happens: Cutrone and Keita Baldé are sent off for Monza, who however manage to snatch the equalizer in the 95th minute thanks to a penalty kick from Matteo Pessina.

Where to see it on TV and Streaming: Extraordinary Event on TV8

For the occasion, Lega B has prepared unprecedented media coverage to allow all fans to enjoy the show. The Catanzaro-Monza final will be visible:

Free to air on TV: On TV8 (channel 8 of digital terrestrial), with an extensive pre-match.
Streaming and Pay-TV: Live on DAZN (available on smart TVs, tablets and smartphones).

Climate in the City: Yellow-Red Fever

In Catanzaro the wait is literally frantic. The city is entirely decorated with yellow and red flags, banners and scarves as evidence of a “fever” that has infected adults and children. The tickets for the “Ceravolo” were pulverized in just a few hours: the stadium will be a human tide ready to push Iemmello and his companions over the obstacle. You can breathe an air of times gone by, that of the great Serie A nights which have been missing from the three hills for too many years now.

The US Catanzaro squad 1929

Mister Alberto Aquilani has resolved the last doubts by issuing the official list of players available for the first leg battle. Here is the complete list of those called up, divided by roles: