Monza secures Serie A promotion despite dramatic play-off finale against Catanzaro
Monza clinched their return to Serie A on Friday following an edge-of-the-seat play-off finale against Catanzaro that swung dramatically from start to finish. The Lombard side dominated the first leg with a 2-0 victory, only to see their advantage vanish in the second encounter, where Catanzaro matched their score to force a 2-2 aggregate draw. Yet, Monza’s superior league position throughout the season ultimately secured their ticket to Italy’s top flight.
Monza are back in Serie A. Just one year after suffering relegation, the Lombard club sealed their promotion on Friday in a play-off final that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the very last whistle. The first leg had seen Monza triumph 2-0 away to Catanzaro, but their dreams of an immediate return to the elite looked in serious jeopardy as they were held to a 0-2 home defeat in the return fixture. Goals from Fellipe Jack and Ruggero Frosinini for Catanzaro reignited the drama, leaving Monza’s players and supporters in a state of high tension as they struggled to find a way through.
With the aggregate score tied at 2-2, the match regulations did not allow for extra time. In such cases, the team that finished higher in the regular Serie B season is awarded promotion. Monza, who finished third in Serie B, benefited from this rule over Catanzaro, who ended the season in fifth place.
The Brianzoli have now secured their second promotion to Serie A in four years, following their successful campaign against Pisa in 2022. For the club, this return to the top flight is a moment of redemption after last year’s swift relegation from Serie A.