Serie A | Juventus 2-0 Monza: Alex Sandro perfect send-off

Juventus ended the season in celebratory fashion with Alex Sandro scoring in his record-equalling final match, while Federico Chiesa also netted against Monza.

It was Paolo Montero’s second and final game as interim manager after a comeback from 3-0 down to hold Bologna, but here he started with the 3-4-3 formation, missing suspended Andrea Cambiaso, injured Adrien Rabiot and Mattia De Sciglio. Monza were without Patrick Ciurria, Daniel Maldini and Andrea Carboni, but already guaranteed to finish 12th.

See how it unfolded on the Liveblog.

Samuele Birindelli – son of former Juve full-back Alessandro – just failed to get his diving header to a Dany Mota Carvalho cross in the opening minutes, then Andrea Colpani tested Mattia Perin from a free kick.

Nicolò Fagioli had his first start since the eight-month ban for gambling and almost opened the scoring when he surged forward for a right-foot strike from the edge of the area that thumped the crossbar.

Armando Izzo made a decisive block on Arkadiusz Milik sliding in to meet the Timothy Weah low cross, then moments later required a goal-line clearance to stop Milik tapping in the Kenan Yildiz pull-back from the by-line.

However, the Juventus pressure paid off when Federico Chiesa made the most of a lucky ricochet off Danilo D’Ambrosio to break down the left and blast across the goalkeeper from a tight angle.

After a stroke of luck, Federico Chiesa slots it home nicely to put Juventus 1-0 up! 👊

📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/6GbokIXBJb

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 25, 2024

The second Juventus goal arrived two minutes later when Fagioli’s corner found Alex Sandro for a header at the near post, a great way to mark his farewell to Juventus, as well as equalling Pavel Nedved’s record for foreign player with the most Bianconeri appearances on 327.

Carlo Pinsoglio came on for only his sixth Juve game, but he has for many years been a fan favourite and legendary teammate in the locker room, so the crowd gave a huge cheer when he smothered the Warren Bondo shot. The fans went positively wild as Pinsoglio had to make a genuine save on Birindelli from close range.

Chiesa was denied by the frame of the goal moments later, a right-foot curler from the edge of the box after great work from Kenan Yildiz to turn his marker.

Alessandro Sorrentino made a big save on Chiesa from point-blank range after a give and go with Fagioli, then Yildiz blasted another effort straight at him on the counter.

Pinsoglio earned another cheer with his save on the Milan Djuric header and Tiago Djalò finally made his Juventus debut, while a tearful Alex Sandro was given a standing ovation as he left the pitch for the final time.

Alessio Zerbin received his second yellow card for clipping the heels of Carlos Alcaraz, having earlier wiped out Danilo on the counter-attack.

Monza were about to receive a penalty for the Timothy Weah challenge on Dany Mota Carvalho, but the VAR review included a Matteo Pessina handling offence in the build-up, so that was given instead.