The Lagunari had optimism despite Alessandro Nesta's Monza being doomed for some time in this duel between the bottom two. Despite losing just one of their previous six games, the hosts hadn't won since December. Michael Svoboda, Richie Sagrado, Joel Schingtienne, and Filip Stankovic were not included. Danilo D'Ambrosio, Matteo Pessina, Kevin Zeroli, and Georgios Kyriakopoulos were all out for the visitors. Stefano Turati had to slam a spectacular Hans Nicolussi Caviglia in-swinging free kick against the crossbar after Ionut Radu had to make a difficult reaction stop on a deflected Dany Mota Carvalho header from a corner in the first few minutes.

Monza lost Keita Balde Diao to a muscular injury after just 26 minutes, with Turati again called into action as Jay Idzes nodded down a set play for Alessandro Marcandalli’s volley from six yards.