Monza vs PRO Vercelli

Pro Vercelli stunned the hosts in the 7th minute when Burruano fired home from distance to open the scoring. Monza's response was swift. Four minutes later, a Samuele Birindelli cross was turned into his own net by Pro Vercelli defender Van Koeverden to level the scores at 1-1.

Andrea Colpani then put Monza ahead in the 17th minute with a cultured left-footed finish after a bright individual run. The former Atalanta man looked sharp throughout and nearly added a second before half-time, with Monza going in 2-1 up at the break.

Juric made several changes at half-time, and Pro Vercelli capitalised on the disruption. Rutigliano equalised in the 49th minute with a fierce strike to make it 2-2.

Monza regained the lead in the 57th minute through young winger Forson, who placed a precise left-footed shot into the far corner. Andrea Petagna extended the advantage to 4-2 in the 79th minute with a well-timed run and finish, appearing to put the game beyond doubt.

But Pro Vercelli refused to fade. Comi powered home a close-range header in the 84th minute to make it 4-3, setting up a nervy finale. Monza held on to secure the win.

Forson's goal in the 57th minute was the decisive moment. Pro Vercelli had just drawn level and carried momentum, but the young winger's composed finish — his first of pre-season — restored Monza's lead and shifted the psychological advantage back to the home side. Juric's substitutions, including the introduction of new signing Loubao who provided the assist for Petagna's goal, also proved critical.

• Andrea Colpani — Monza's most creative outlet in the first half, scoring the crucial second goal and stretching the Pro Vercelli defence with his dribbling and movement.
• Forson — The young winger scored a well-taken goal and looked lively throughout, a bright spot in Monza's attacking rotation.
• Loubao — One of Monza's new arrivals, he made an immediate impact off the bench with an assist for Petagna's goal and several driving runs.
• Andrea Petagna — The experienced striker showed his predatory instincts with a poacher's finish to make it 4-2, giving Monza breathing room.

Player of the match: Andrea Colpani

The 4-3 scoreline reflects a genuinely open game rather than defensive frailties on either side. Monza created a series of early chances through Dany Mota, Matteo Pessina and Kouadio before finally converting — a pattern consistent with early pre-season where sharpness is still building. Pro Vercelli's three goals from three different scorers (Burruano, Rutigliano, Comi) plus an own goal conceded highlights the transitional nature of the contest, with both sides making multiple changes in the second half. The seven goals came from open play, suggesting both teams prioritised attacking intent over defensive structure at this stage of pre-season.

This was Monza's first pre-season fixture under Ivan Juric, who took charge after the 2025-26 Serie A season. The result offers an early glimpse of Juric's high-intensity style — aggressive pressing, quick vertical transitions and attacking intent. The defensive organisation will need work, but that is typical for a side in the first week of pre-season. Monza's next friendly is a step up in class: they face Turkish giants Galatasaray in Linz, Austria, on Friday 24 July. Pro Vercelli continue their own pre-season build-up ahead of the 2026-27 Serie C campaign.

A chaotic but entertaining first run-out for Juric's Monza. The attacking fluency and pressing intensity were encouraging signs; the defensive lapses that allowed Pro Vercelli back into the game twice will be addressed on the training ground. For a first friendly, the scoreline matters less than the principles taking shape — and those were largely positive.