Monza-Bologna 1-2, the ratings: Castro is now the starter, Maldini increasingly central

Final result: Monza-Bologna 1-2

MONZA

Turati 6.5 – Another important test for the Monza goalkeeper, he is beaten only by two conclusions unstoppable for any goalkeeper. Agile and always attentive especially on the conclusions of Ndoye and Castro.

Izzo 5.5 – Half a point less for the usual yellow received for an avoidable holding, Ndoye is not an easy customer. Good readings for the former Genoa player but he risks a second yellow on more than one occasion. From 82′ Bondo sv.

Pablo Mari 5.5 – He finds himself facing Santiago Castro, a complicated striker due to his characteristics and he is punished at the first mistake. He gives him space, he doesn’t attack him and the Argentine doesn’t forgive.

Carbons 5 – Third consecutive match as a starter for the former Cagliari player, a step back this time. First the yellow, then he jumps in vain and Urbanski does not forgive. The Pole gets lost on the action of Bologna’s lead.

Peter Pereira 5.5 – Back and forth along that flank, he has less freedom than Kyriakopoulos and finds himself facing two quite inspired players like Ndoye and Lykogiannis. A tiring afternoon. From 88′ D’Ambrosio sv.

Pessina 6 – He struggles at first, he doesn’t find any openings to exploit his skills but at the first offensive insertion he becomes decisive. He starts the action that leads to the equalizing goal by Djuric.

White 6.5 – Nice discovery for Monza, not for Nesta. The coach from Brianza trained him in Reggio Emilia, launched him as a starter today and he immediately took center stage. Always with his head held high, he even came close to scoring his first goal in Serie A twice.

Kyriakopoulos 6.5 – He runs a lot and well, along the left lane he is the dominator. The former Sassuolo player has space and uses it to the fullest, paints several crosses and does not miss his contribution in the defensive phase.

Dany Mota 5 – After the brilliant evening of last Sunday, he is unable to repeat himself. Indeed, he struggles to find a way to be dangerous in the Bologna defense. From 72′ Caprari 6 – Few playable balls in the attacking midfield.

Maldini 6.5 – He has quality, a lot of it, and he shows it this afternoon too. He roams between the lines, plays with personality and when he can he also looks for the conclusion. From one of these comes the winning tap-in by Djuric. Ever more central in this Monza. From 72′ Forson 5.5 – He is rarely seen, he loses too many balls.

Djuric 6,5 – He doesn’t just score with his head, second consecutive goal with his foot for the Bosnian giant, something that hadn’t happened since 2015. His match was complicated against Bologna’s defence, but he found a way to leave his mark. From 82′ Maric sv.

Alexander Nesta 6 – His Monza plays a good game despite the result, on par with a Bologna full of novelties but the challenge is balanced until the end. They pay for a lack of concentration, they come out defeated after two masterpieces by Italiano’s players. The offensive contribution needs to be improved, few attempts towards Ravaglia’s goal.

BOLOGNA

Ravaglia 5 – In the end, Monza only kicks once towards their goal, they are not ready. They badly reject Maldini’s conclusion, practically providing an assist for Djuric’s tap-in.

De Silvestri 5.5 – Suffering along his lane, he certainly has a more complicated life than Lykogiannis. He has to monitor an inspired Kyriakopoulos who dominates along the left lane. From 78′ Posch sv.

Farmhouse 6 – His adventure at Bologna against Como had started with an own goal, today he is once again a starter but this time the management is good behind Lucumi’s side. No big risks. From 46′ Beukema 6 – No problem in containing Monza’s attacks.

Light 6.5 – A yellow at the start of the second half, a small mistake in the first half but overall a fairly careful and orderly performance by Vincenzo Italiano’s centre-back. From his recovery comes the action for Castro’s goal.

Lycopo Giannis 6.5 – Miranda is warned, after the good performance in the Champions League he repeats himself also at the U-Power Stadium. When he has free space in front of him he doesn’t think twice about attacking, then the assist for the winning header by Urbanski was perfect.

Aebischer 6 – Lots of running in the middle of the field, sometimes lacking precision but does his job with good construction. Sometimes he rises almost as an attacking midfielder behind Castro.

Freuler 6.5 – Tidy as always, the Swiss is the screen in front of the defense and limits himself to just work. He clears balls for his teammates, he also makes himself noticed in battle. Good performance.

Urbanski 7 – A brilliant first half for the Pole, he starts as a midfielder but in the offensive phase he rises and takes advantage of the insertions. Goal from a top-class striker, a great header to the far post to break the balance. He almost scores a brace with a beautiful volley with his left foot. From 78′ Moro sv.

Ndoye 6.5 – The goal problem remains, he lacks the right nastiness in front of goal but at times he is uncatchable for Monza. He first has Carboni booked and then Izzo, Turati tells him no three times. He brings pep to Bologna’s offensive actions.

Castro 7 – He is now the starter for this Bologna, the Argentinean lives another afternoon as a protagonist this time as a starter. He tries twice in the penalty area, Turati denies him the joy of a goal but in the end he pulls a perfect right-footed shot out of his hat that gives the three points to the Felsinei.

Odgaard 5 – Perhaps the only real discordant note in Italiano’s attack, deployed wide on the right, he never manages to break through into the penalty area. Little sought by his teammates, he does nothing to give a boost to his game. From 71′ Iling 6 – He also serves in the final assaults before the new and decisive advantage.

Vincenzo Italian 6.5 – After the efforts of the Champions League, he presents a revolutionized formation in Monza. He conquers the first victory of this season, also thanks to the choices. It is the victory of the new young players of this Bologna, Urbanski and Castro. The Argentine is now a regular, Dallinga is warned.