Cagliari vs Monza

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Cagliari, who moved off the bottom of the table before the international break, aim for their third consecutive home victory this Sunday against mid-table Monza.

Despite slipping back into Serie A's relegation zone after losing to Juventus, Cagliari has shown improvement following a slow start. They've won two of their last three matches, the exception being a 2-1 loss to Juventus just before the international break.

Under Claudio Ranieri's guidance, Cagliari rebounded from a three-goal deficit to stun Frosinone and secured a win against Genoa. They also edged past Udinese in the Coppa Italia with Gianluca Lapadula's decisive extra-time goal.

A win on Sunday would mark Cagliari's first three consecutive home victories in Italy's top flight since 2019. Their upcoming matches against Lazio and Napoli add significance to this weekend's game after their first-ever Serie A meeting with Monza, a team they've faced frequently in lower-level competitions.

Cagliari's seven points at home contrast starkly with their two points earned on the road this season. Ranieri understands the importance of their form in their home games, knowing their fate could hinge on performances in the Sardinian capital, but acknowledges the challenge posed by their upcoming resilient opponents.

Monza's defensive strength has shone through, as they've limited opponents to just one goal in each of their last nine league matches. This resilience has solidified their position in the middle of the table. Under Raffaele Palladino's leadership, they've experienced only one defeat since early September, demonstrating their steadfastness during the autumn fixtures. As they gear up for their upcoming Serie A match, they aim for a fourth win in seven games.

Their recent 1-1 draw against Torino saw midfielder Andrea Colpani, in good form, securing the equalizer in the second half. Despite this draw, Monza has managed victories in two of their last three away games and looks forward to their next game against Cagliari.

A remarkable aspect of Monza's performance is that all their 13 goals have been scored by Italian players. This achievement comes at a time when there's been criticism about limited opportunities for homegrown talent in football, making Colpani's recent successes even more noteworthy.

Under Palladino's guidance, the team has evolved impressively since he took charge last September. Notably, key players like goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio, captain Matteo Pessina, and the newly called-up Colpani might steer Monza toward their first-ever top-half finish.

Cagliari faces absences due to Nahitan Nandez's thigh injury and Marko Rog's long-term absence owing to an ACL injury. However, coach Claudio Ranieri has a mostly available squad to select from. Their attacking options include Andrea Petagna, Zito Luvumbo, Gaetano Oristanio from Inter Milan on loan, Eldor Shomurodov from Roma, Gianluca Lapadula, and impactful substitute Leonardo Pavoletti, demonstrating significant depth in attack.

Cagliari's recent scoring trend is noteworthy, with six of their last eight league goals coming from substitutes, a feat only surpassed by Napoli.

For Monza, Armando Izzo and Gianluca Caprari remain sidelined, while Pablo Mari, the former Arsenal defender, is dealing with a muscular issue. Meanwhile, Andrea Colpani has been a standout performer, netting six Serie A goals this season, surpassing his tally from the entire 2022-23 campaign. His contributions have significantly boosted Monza, effectively earning the team an extra five points through his goals.