While winning both of their Serie A matches, the Giallorossi were still adjusting to their new coach Ivan Juric. They were also still bitter after losing to Elfsborg 1-0 in the Europa League on Thursday. Enzo Le Fée and Alexis Saelemaekers were joined on the treatment table by Paulo Dybala and Mats Hummels. With the absence of Andrea Petagna, Stefano Sensi, Alessio Cragno, Patrick Ciurria, Roberto Gagliardini, and Samuele Vignato, Monza was facing a serious injury problem. Due to a hand bruise, Stefano Turati had to withdraw at the last minute; third option Semuel Pizzignacco filled in.
Artem Dovbyk pounced on the rebound after Manu Koné struck the base of the upright with his edge of the box on the fifteenth minute, but the Ukrainian was offside. Roma had dominated possession early on. Shortly after, Monza came dangerously close to scoring when Matteo Pessina headed down an Alessandro Bianco cross, setting up Daniel Maldini for a first-time finish.