Serie B, playoff final: Pisa-Monza 3-4, Lombard in Serie A

The football of the greats is now a reality. For the first time in 110 years of history, Monza is in Serie A. After a shocking start (two goals down after 9 ‘) and a crazy match, including overtaking and counter-overtaking, Stroppa’s team won 4-3 against Pisa in extra time, in the return of the playoff final at the Arena Garibaldi Romeo Anconetani. The man of destiny is Christian Gytkjær, who entered 20 ‘from the end of the regulations and the author of a brace that he knows of promotion, after the goal already scored in the 2-1 success of the first leg.

Explosive start

–

Pisa takes advantage of the home factor and starts like a rocket: after 40 ”Beruatto crosses from the left, Pirola lets it flow and Torregrossa takes the opportunity to deflect into the net and freeze Di Gregorio. One to zero. Not even a minute and the final returns to balance. Stroppa’s men accuse the blow and in the 9th minute there is the doubling: corner kick from the left, ball in motion, Beruatto’s cross again and Hermannsson’s winning header, which burns the defense. The fiery pressing of D’Angelo’s team puts the guests in the corner in the first twenty minutes. Then Monza comes out and returns to the game thanks to Machín’s right at the edge of the area, good at setting the ball under seven. Protests by the hosts for a touch of Carlos Augusto’s hand in the action, but the Var confirms: 2-1, all regular. Change the inertia. Another episode from video control at 27 ‘: Mazzitelli launches from the right, Birindelli slips out and touches the ball with his arm, anticipating Mota Carvalho, otherwise thrown at the net. Mariani takes out the yellow, the Brianza bench jumps to its feet and asks for red. The check confirms the decision. At rest it is 2-1.

Blow for blow

–

Moderate and less lively start in the second half. The first thrill comes in the 53rd minute, with Carlos Augusto’s left foot from distance. High ball. Five minutes later another red and white opportunity with Barberis’ free kick from the right: Nicolas reactive on the rebound. A few minutes of reasoning for Pisa. Then, around the hour of play, Puscas has the ball that is worth a season: throw from the defense, intervention out of time by Marrone, control and right placed that is printed on the crossbar. First changes of the match in the 66th minute: D’Angelo calls Torregrossa and Siega back on the bench to make room for Lucca and Mastinu. At 72 ‘it is time for stroppa to move too: out Ciurria and inside Gytkjær, scoring in the first leg. Just the Dane, in the 79th minute, receives the ball from D’Alessandro (who entered two minutes earlier in place of Mazzitelli) and freezes Nicolas and the Arena Garibaldi with the right, for the 2-2 which seems a point and that’s it in terms of promotion . But Pisa is not there and takes it back in the 90 ‘with Mastinu, another man off the bench, who leaves Di Gregorio no chance with a nice left-footed shot from the edge of the area. Three to two for the hosts at the end of regular time: we go to extra time by virtue of the regular season, with the two teams paired with 67 points at the end of the championship.

One-two from Serie A

–

The push and pull does not stop. At 96 ‘Monza puts a foot back in Serie A thanks to Marrone’s header, which surprises the Tuscan defense and heads for the 3-3. Pisa does not react this time and Stroppa’s team finds poker again with Gytkjær, the man of destiny, who exploits Birindelli’s mistake in disengagement and, alone in front of Nicolas, does not miss the heaviest ball. That of 4-3. It is the goal that closes the games and makes history, it is a goal that for Monza has the flavor of A.