Juventus stunned: Monza claim shock 1-0 win as Di Maria sees red

Updated: May 17, 2023, 04:54 am

Monza took a shocking but deserved 1-0 home win over Juventus on Sunday, their first Serie A victory of the season, as the visitors struggled after being reduced to 10 men.

Juve key player Angel Di Maria's return from injury was cut short after being sent off five minutes before the break after placing his elbow in Armando Izzo's chest.

Juventus had half-chances in the first half but were struggling to create momentum, as Monza were effective in breaking down the play in midfield.

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Newly-promoted Monza smelled blood in the second half and pressured the opposition defence to make mistakes, while Massimiliano Allegri's side tried to look for possibilities of a counter-attack.

Monza players celebrate during a landmark afternoon in Serie A.
Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images

Substitute Christian Gytkjaer became the hero when he slid in the winner from Patrick Ciurria's cross in the 74th minute.

Allegri was not allowed on the bench for the game after being sent off last Sunday in the 2-2 home draw against Salernitana after protesting a disallowed VAR goal.

"Obviously, nobody is happy right now, but in order to emerge from this situation we can only work hard and do better," his assistant coach Marco Landucci said.

"We started well and then stopped playing, so the only method is to work and everyone raises their game to work in the same direction."

Monza next travel to Sampdoria on Oct. 2 after the international break while Juventus host Bologna on the same day.