25 May 2024
Alex Sandro led out Juventus for one last time as the Bianconeri wrapped up the season with a 2-0 victory at home against Monza. In doing so he matched Pavel Nedved as the foreign player with most appearances in club history.
The captain for the day scored the second goal shortly after Federico Chiesa had made the breakthrough on 26 minutes.
The three points saw Juventus close out the campaign in third place as the players and fans celebrated the Italian Cup success together after the final whistle.
THE MATCH
For the final game of the season Paolo Montero stuck by the players that turned the match around against Bologna earlier in the week.
Federico Chiesa was joined in attack by Kenan Yildiz and Arkadiusz Milik, while Nicolò Fagioli enjoyed his first start since October 1st.
It was Fagioli that signalled Juve’s intent on 17 minutes after an opening quarter of an hour in which Monza had brought out a reflex save from Mattia Perin. Fagioli strided forward from midfield and unleashed a shot from the edge of the penalty area which struck the top of the crossbar.
On 25’ Chiesa and Yildiz then linked up to drive a hole in the visitors’ defence but before Arek Milik could tap the ball into the unguarded net Armando Izzo made a last-ditch tackle to clear the danger.
The game’s opening goal was in the air, however, and it duly arrived one minute later. Chiesa displayed tenacity to force his way past Danilo D’Ambrosio. Once inside the area his shot flew beyond Alessandro Sorrentino at the goalkeeper’s near post.
The Bianconeri continued to press and from a corner delivered by Fagioli, Alex Sandro threw himself in between two Monza defenders to power a header home from inside the six-yard box. It was the departing defender’s first Serie A goal in 75 appearances.
Carlo Pinsoglio replaced Mattia Perin at the start of the second half for the third choice keeper’s debut for the season. And Pinsoglio proved his credentials with two quality saves. The first arrived on 52’ when he responded smartly to Samuele Birindelli following up on a Mattia Pessina shot.
The second was an outstanding parry to deny Milan Djuric with a trademark header with 15 minutes to play.
In between Juventus came close to adding a third goal. Chiesa clipped the outside of the frame of the goal on 54’ after some silky skills from Yilidz had opened up the Monza defence.
Faglioli then played Chiesa through on goal but the number seven was denied by some swift goalkeeping.
Yilidz also had an opportunity but Sorrentino parried the shot for a corner.
On 75’ Alex Sandro made way for Thiago Djaòlo. A debut for one signalled the farewell of another.
After the full time whistle and a lap of honour with the Italian Cup, Alex Sandro received the plaudits from directors, players, coaching staff and fans and a commemorative shirt from President Ferrero as his Juventus adventure came to an end.
JUVENTUS 2-0 MONZA (HT: 2-0)
Scorers: 26′ Chiesa, 28′ Alex Sandro
JUVENTUS: Perin (46′ Pinsoglio); Danilo, Rugani, Alex Sandro (72′ Djaló); Weah, Fagioli (78′ Nicolussi C.), Alcaraz, Iling.Jr; Chiesa, Milik (72′ Vlahovic), Yildiz (86′ Miretti). Subs not used: Szczęsny, Bremer, Gatti, Locatelli, Kostić, McKennie, Kean. Coach: Montero.
MONZA: Sorrentino; D’Ambrosio, Izzo, Mari; Birindelli (64′ Zerbin), Pessina, Gagliardini (46′ Bondo), Pereira (73′ Kyriakopoulos); Colpani (46′ Djuric), Carboni (80 Ferraris); Mota. Subs not used: Di Gregorio, Mazza, Gori, Donati, Caldirola, Carboni, Akpa-Akpro, Vignato, Colombo, Caprari. Coach: Palladino.
Referee: Ferrieri Caputi
Bookings: 37′ Carboni , 62′ Yildiz, 66′ Zerbin
Sending off: 89’ Zerbin
