There was late drama at the U-Power Stadium as Monza struck an injury-time equalizer against Juventus – only to see the European giants go down the other end and snatch back victory in a wild finale. Valentin Carboni appeared to have earned a point for the hosts in a low-quality affair, but his goal woke up Juventus, who grabbed a 94th minute winner through Federico Gatti.
Federico Gatti’s sensational 94th-minute winner rescued victory for Juventus and ensured they move to the top of Serie A with a low-quality win over Monza, who thought they’d rescued a point just seconds earlier in injury time with Valentin Carboni’s long-range equalizer.
Adrien Rabiot was the Old Lady’s guardian angel on the outskirts of Milan, creating Gatti’s goal and initially putting his side into the lead mere moments after Dusan Vlahovic saw his penalty and follow-up saved by an inspired Michele Di Gregorio.
Juventus were the definition of complacency, lacking any form of intensity against their mid-table opponents who enjoyed more possession but never possessed a real cutting edge until Carboni’s introduction from the bench.
His equalizer wasn’t enough though, meaning Juventus move one point ahead of Inter Milan who take on Napoli on Sunday.
Monza made a superb start to their second-ever season of Serie A, but that charge has stalled to the tune of one win in six matches and they’ll likely fall into the bottom half of the table come the end of the weekend after this result.
Juventus host Napoli next week so will hope their opponents put everything into taking down Inter Milan on Sunday, because the Old Lady will need all the help they can get based on the performance.
It was lacking in everything except the cutting edge provided by Rabiot, while Monza allow their opponents to snatch away the point Carboni had just earned.
They would’ve been good value for it too, staying positive throughout the game while all of Raffaele Palladino’s substitutions brought emphasis and vigour to the team. It wasn’t quite enough though, with Juventus belatedly showing a hunger that does their status as league leaders justice.
