Monza secures Serie A return following dramatic play-off final against Catanzaro

Monza has officially reclaimed its spot in Serie A. Just one year after dropping out of the top tier, the Lombardy club successfully navigated a high-stakes play-off final against Catanzaro on Friday to secure their promotion.

The journey to the top flight was marked by intense tension. After securing a comfortable 2-0 victory in the first leg, Paolo Bianco’s men faced a significant challenge in the return match. Catanzaro managed to erase the deficit with a 2-0 win of their own, as Fellipe Jack and Ruggero Frosinini found the back of the net to stun the home crowd and level the aggregate score at 2-2.

Promotion decided by league standings

Despite the deadlock over the two legs, the match did not proceed to extra time. According to the tournament rules, if the aggregate score is tied, the team with the superior regular-season record earns the promotion. Monza’s third-place finish in the Serie B table proved decisive, allowing them to edge out Catanzaro, who ended the season in fifth.

For the Brianzoli, this achievement represents a triumphant comeback. This is the second time in four years that the club has celebrated a move to the top division, following their memorable 2022 promotion against Pisa. After a brief stint in the elite that even saw them flirting with European qualification before their recent relegation, Monza is back where they feel they belong.