While the hosts were coming off back-to-back losses and the Tuscans had only achieved three points from five rounds, there was just one point separating these two teams heading into the game. Marlon and Samuele Birindelli were reinstated from suspension, however Nicolo Rovella, Dany Mota Carvalho, and Giulio Donati all suffered injuries. Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro and Filippo Bandinelli were returned for Empoli, while Mattia Destro and Nicolo Cambiaghi were remained out. Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario's rib injury was a significant last-minute setback, thus Samuele Perisan made his Serie A debut.
After a first save on Francesco Caputo, Martin Satriano's header put Empoli ahead after ten minutes, but the seasoned striker was offside. When Patrick Ciurria scored for Monza on a cunning Andrea Petagna back-heel flick, the offside flag was also raised, but VAR determined that Ciurria was in play.