Monza enters first Serie A campaign with zealous intent
Newly promoted AS Monza enters Serie A for the first time in the club’s history. Ahead of the 2022/23 Calcio season, the debutant club in Italy’s top flight looks to make an immediate statement.
For almost any new team entering a top-flight, the primary objective is always survival. However, Club President Silvio Berlusconi made it apparent AS Monza aims to compete for something bigger than dodging an immediate relegation back to Serie B. Instead, the club carries a fearless mentality in Italy’s top flight.
The club made this notion crystal clear through several reinforcements. With continued investment in the club, the squad has the potential to fight for a European spot. If anything, Monza wants to avoid a common narrative in its first Serie A season. A signing spree in the transfer market looks to avoid any threat of going back down to Serie B.
Ambitious Summer Signings
Monza made a statement with its slew of summer signings. Stefano Sensi spent time with Inter Milan, now arriving on a loan. Also, Monza acquired goalkeeper Alessio Cragno from Cagliari on loan, another player with international caps. Plus, Andrea Ranocchia arrives from Inter with invaluable leadership experience.
However, the highlight signing is Matteo Pessina. The Italy international comes over from Atalanta on a season-long loan. Monza has an obligation to make the move permanent upon certain accomplishments. According to Italian media, this is simply survival in Serie A this season. Matteo Pessina actually spent some of his youth career and early parts of his professional career with Monza. Effectively, it is his boyhood club.
The midfielder is surely the talisman Monza seeks as it hunts a European spot. Yet, the acquisitions do not stop there. Currently, Monza want a striker to lead them at the top. The ambitious club reached out to both Mauro Icardi and Edinson Cavani. Icardi failed to meet expectations at PSG, while Cavani is now a free agent.
Plus, Monza reached out to Mario Balotelli, who wants to revive his career in Italy at the age of 31.
The Berlusconi-Galliani takeover and plan
Acquiring recognizable names is just the next step for Monza in a plan years in the making. Look back to 2017. Controversial former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi sold AC Milan in 2017. Then, he took over a third division club a year later. Berlusconi acquired Monza in 2018 for a $3.4 million price tag. His goal was to bring the club to the first division in Italy.
To accomplish this, Berlusconi arranged for former Milan CEO Adriano Galliani to join him at Monza. Together with Galliani, Berlusconi turned Milan into an Italian and European power. With the pair at the helm, the Rossoneri won eight Serie A titles and 5 UEFA Champions Leagues trophies. That is a little far-fetched for lowly Monza making its Serie A debut. However, the pair hold distinguished success in Italian soccer.
Monza makes its Serie A debut
Monza enter the summit of Italian football preparing to cause problems for many top Serie A teams. Over the last few transfer markets, the club did an excellent job picking up some expiring talent. Gaston Ramires and Giullio Donati, as well as a few others, still have talent and desire to play competitively.
Monza is a well-rounded squad with incoming talent that still awaits. It could prove problematic for the traditionally large sides like Juventus, Napoli, Inter or defending champions Milan.
Monza kicks off its first Serie A campaign on August 12 at home to Torino. A quick test ensues on the road in Naples the following week. Monza are prepared to achieve something that no other club in Europe has ever done: qualify for a European competition in its first ever season in a European top-flight.
PHOTO: Giuseppe Cottini/Getty Images
