Como v Monza - Serie A
COMO, ITALY - NOVEMBER 30: Alessandro Nesta, Manager of AC Monza issues instructions during the
Juventus and Roma, Milan and Inter. Those are the names most would think of when talking about big-spending soccer clubs.
But just north of the Milanese giants, two charming Lombardian towns gathered at one of the world's most iconic lakes to cheer their sides against each other for the first time in Serie A history.
Como 1907 hosted AC Monza on Saturday at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, a century-old stadium built on the banks of Italy's deepest lake and backed by mountain ranges stretching left to right.
The scenery doesn't get any more breathtaking.
Como v Cosenza Calcio - Serie B
COMO, A general view of the stadium, Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia on May 10, 2024 in Como, Italy.
Aerial view of Como on Lake Como or Lario - Lombardy Region, Italy...
UNSPECIFIED - AUGUST 01: Aerial view of Como on Lake Como or Lario - Lombardy Region, Italy (Photo
With two FIFA World Cup winners, Cesc Fabregas and Alessandro Nesta, adding drama from the touchline, Como and Monza played out a thrilling 1-1 draw on matchday 14.
The result means neither side gained an advantage regarding end-of-season relegation rules (head-to-head), which would take effect if the two were to finish on equal points.
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The 2024-25 campaign has been challenging for both sides. Monza has won only once so far, Como twice. The former is winless in the past six, the latter without victory over the past eight.
Italian media outlets dubbed this a potential relegation six-pointer, but that never stopped resilient Lariani and Brianzoli fans from braving the winter chill to support their sides.
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Como v Monza - Serie A
COMO, ITALY - NOVEMBER 30: Yannik Engelhardt of Como scores the opening goal during the Serie A
Como earned their lead when Yannick Engelhardt found the corner with a beautifully angled header. Gabriel Strefezza executed the set piece, and the German midfielder did the rest, scoring his debut Serie A goal to send the Biancoblu ahead just before the break.
The tide turned when VAR called referee Juan Sacchi to the screen to review an incident in the penalty box. Nico Paz was subsequently penalised for a handball and Gianluca Caprari converted the spot kick, sending Pep Reina diving the wrong way.
COMO, ITALY - NOVEMBER 30: Gianluca Caprari of Monza celebrates his goal during the Serie A match ... [+]
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The draw is a blow to Como, who surrendered the lead for the third time this season. That's six points gone begging for coach Fabregas who eagerly awaits the return of key midfielders Sergi Roberto and Maximo Perrone.
“We did very well in the first half, but in the second we just didn’t understand the mood of the game," Fabregas told DAZN.
"We should’ve been the ones pressing them high and not vice versa. Then the penalty, already the fifth of the season we have given away, changed the match and gave Monza confidence."
The positive for Como is that they stay one point ahead of direct rival Monza. But looking ahead, Fabregas knows he must address his side's below-par conversion rate in front of goal after generating 17 chances to Monza's nine.
“This is not our moment and it is not easy to play under this much pressure," the 37-year-old told us.
"I am very demanding and want us to continue playing football with our identity."
COMO, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 29: Como 1907 coach Cesc Fabregas looks on before the Serie A match between ... [+]
Getty Images
“We need to make better choices in the final third and believe me, we are working so hard on this, but in the end it’s a matter of quality. If we have five scoring opportunities and convert one, then we’ve got to do better.”
The season is still young, and any three of the ten clubs currently placed in the lower half of the Serie A standings are at risk of going down. Take your pick.
Monza is contesting its third consecutive season in the top tier after winning the Serie B PlayOff Final in 2022 during the late Silvio Berlusconi's era. Following the former Italian Prime Minister's death in 2023, the Berlusconi family inherited Monza, which is valued at $6.8B.
Como 1907, owned by SENT Entertainment under the Djarum Group (valued at $48B, according to Forbes), earned automatic promotion from Serie B in May.