Serie A newcomer AC Monza recorded a shocking 2-1 win over Ligue 1 giants Olympique Lyonnais in a friendly ahead of their respective leagues’ resumption.
This was also important for the Serie A side as they welcomed Pablo Mari back after being stabbed in the back and shoulder during a supermarket attack that left several people injured and one dead on October 27.
It’s not the first time Raffaele Palladino’s team would secure upsets, and it’s already their habit.
Having done that in their debut Serie A season, they are doing the same across the Alps at the Groupama Stadium.
Carlos Augusto got an opportunity, but his strike was parried into the path of Dany Mota Carvalho to open the scoring.
Although it was no less than they deserved after a confident first half, they doubled their lead through Caprari.
Although Lyon’s defense looked ragged, the hosts reduced the deficit in stoppages through Castello Lukeba from a corner kick.
Unfortunately, Lyon lost Malo Gusto and Henrique to injury.
His recovery looks magical, as he was not expected to play again until February. He came here in the 78th minute and completed the game without discomfort or complaint.
In another development, Edin Dzeko scored in Inter victory in a friendly test against Pippo Inzaghi’s Reggina as the Belgium international played almost 90 minutes.
Reggina, currently second in the Serie B table, got the chance of the game as Andre Onana made a tough save on Riccardo Gagliolo.
Reggina also denied Lukaku a goal through a desperate goal-line after a cross from Federico Dimarco.
Woodwork also stopped Lukaku’s header from going in after a cross from Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Inter eventually got the opener through Dzeko with a towering header on Hakan Calhanoglu’s corner kick.
Lukaku eventually found the back of the net by turning in Dimarco’s cross after playing almost the whole game.
Written by: Oladipupo Mojeed