It’s not true that Catanzaro has nothing to lose. The opposite is true, that is, he has everything to gain. In the pride, in the sense of belonging, in the hope that he still manages to give to a people despite the 2-0 defeat in the first leg. Even in the awareness of being “an intruder” in this playoff final for Serie A only on paper, because the reality is very different and he has deserved magical evenings like these that have brought him this far. With play, technique, beauty, recklessness. And with the hard head and obstinacy that cannot be missing in a Calabrian team and its protagonists.
«It’s no time to look back, we have another chance. We are a strong team and we have the weapons to try, we are aware of the football we offer and of all the sacrifices and merits that brought us here”, said Alberto Aquilani.
Monza is already a foot and a half on the upper floor and for days in Brianza they have been preparing a party: complicating the plans would be priceless even if winning with a three-goal difference, and blowing them up completely, has very low chances. No additional time is foreseen, but 90 minutes plus injury time tonight (8pm, live free-to-air on TV8) may be enough for anything, especially if many more than the 2,300 guests in the away section will be pushing: if the “U Power Stadium” is sold out today (17,102 spectators), much is due to the people with Giallorossi in their hearts who have chosen this piece of Lombardy as the center of their world for one evening. Despite the defeat in the first leg: if this isn’t trust, then nothing else exists.
Probable lineups
Monza: Thiam, Birindelli, Delli Carri, Lucchesi, Bakoune, Pessina, Colombo, Azzi, Hernani, Mota, Petagna. All.: White
Catanzaro: Pigliacelli, Cassandro, Antonini, Brighenti, Favasuli, Pontisso, Petriccione, Alesi, Liberali, Iemmello, Pittarello. All.: Aquilani