Serie A | Como 1-1 Monza: Lombardy relegation rivals share points in thrilling draw

Como and Monza remain locked in the relegation zone after a hard-fought Lombardy Derby, as both teams had huge chances to win it in stoppages.

This was a pure relegation dogfight between two of the bottom three, separated by just one point. It was also a Lombardy derby with Alberto Dossena suspended for the hosts, plus Sergi Roberto, Maxi Perrone and Luca Mazzitelli injured after scraping two points from the last seven rounds. Monza weren’t doing much better with one win all season, but did come off a 1-1 draw away to Torino. Armando Izzo sat out a ban with Matteo Pessina, Roberto Gagliardini, Stefano Sensi and Alessio Cragno unavailable.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Alieu Fadera curled inches wide from the edge of the area in the opening minutes, while Giorgos Kyriakopoulos stung Pepe Reina’s gloves from distance and Nico Paz failed to make the most of a free header on a corner.

Monza also should’ve done better on a set play when Luca Caldirola’s header was straight at Reina from close range, a situation they were left to rue when Como took the lead.

This too was from a Gabriel Strefezza corner, the Edoardo Goldaniga diving header was deflected and looped up, turning into an accidental assist for Yannik Engelhardt to nod in at the near post.

Strefezza almost made it 2-0 with the last kick of the half, sent through by a Patrick Cutrone back-heel flick, but Alessandro Bianco got back for a decisive block as he pulled the trigger.

After the restart, Pablo Mari’s header on a free kick routine grazed the arm of Nico Paz, who was jumping with his back to the ball, but with arms raised high and wide. A penalty was awarded following the VAR review, which Gianluca Caprari converted by sending Reina the wrong way.

COMO, ITALY - NOVEMBER 30: Gianluca Caprari of AC Monza scores a penalty during the Serie A match between Como and Monza at Stadio G. Sinigaglia on November 30, 2024 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Chris Ricco/Getty Images) — COMO, ITALY – NOVEMBER 30: Gianluca Caprari of AC Monza scores a penalty during the Serie A match between Como and Monza at Stadio G. Sinigaglia on November 30, 2024 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Chris Ricco/Getty Images)

Cutrone failed to make the most of a Warren Bondo cheap giveaway and Nico Paz had a header charged down from a corner.

Monza really should’ve won it in stoppages after an inspired Daniel Maldini flying back-heel flick to send Milan Djuric clear, but the big centre-forward fired the finish onto the upright at full stretch.

It still wasn’t over, as with the final kick of the game Simone Verdi whipped a cross from the left and Andrea Belotti hung in the air for an eternity, steering the header inches past the far top corner with the goalkeeper stranded.