Serie A | Monza 1-1 Roma: Caldirola magic stalls Mou

A wonderful Luca Caldirola volley allowed Monza to slow Roma’s progress in the fight for a top four finish, cancelling out the Stephan El Shaarawy opener.

The Giallorossi were caught by both Milan and Inter in the fight for fourth place, so badly needed points, but were decimated with Nemanja Matic suspended, Marash Kumbulla, Chris Smalling, Diego Llorente, Rick Karsdorp, Paulo Dybala, Gini Wijnaldum and Andrea Belotti injured. On the other hand, Monza were flying high after three straight victories, including against Inter and Fiorentina.

Rui Patricio needed a save within the opening 45 seconds on Dany Mota Carvalho after a Zeki Celik error, then Carlos Augusto volleyed just wide from a corner and Nicola Zalewski tested the goalkeeper at the near post.

Instead, Roma took the lead after a gift from goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio, who tried to walk around his own area with the ball at his feet, was closed down by Tammy Abraham and Stephan El Shaarawy finished it off.

Di Gregorio did better when dealing with a Roger Ibanez header from a free kick, but Monza equalised with a simply spectacular bit of skill. A Nicolò Rovella free kick was floated to the back post, where Luca Caldirola placed a magnificent volley off the inside of the left boot, across the face of goal into the far top corner.

Rui Patricio made a desperate save that pushed Carlos Augusto’s scorching angled drive inches past the far post, while El Shaarawy was another addition to the injury list.

Lorenzo Pellegrini’s free kick landed on the roof of the net and Di Gregorio made a decisive save late on to deny the Ibanez header.

The really bad news for Roma is that Zeki Celik was sent off for a second yellow card and will be suspended against Inter.

Rui Patricio still had to make a crucial save with the last kick of the game to prevent Carlos Augusto winning it for Monza.

Monza 1-1 Roma

El Shaarawy 25 (R), Caldirola 39 (M)

Sent off: Celik 95 (R)