At the beginning of the 2022/23 season, Serie A welcomed a new team—a first-ever participation for AC Monza in the first division.
They earned an 11th-place finish that season under Raffaele Palladino, which was quite impressive in their first campaign.
At the time of writing, they sit 12th under the 39-year-old Italian coach; considering that it is only Monzas second-ever season in Italys top division, that is a respectable performance.
Palladinos team has been well-known for their exceptional ability during the build-up phase — almost one of the best teams in Italian football this season!
Our tactical analysis and scout report will provide an analysis of Monza’s style of play, Raffaele Palladino tactics, and ideas during the build-up phase.
Let’s start with their game against Napoli.
Napoli Vs Monza Tactical Analysis
In this game, Monza lined up in a 3-4-2-1 shape, a back three of Danilo DAmbrosio, Roberto Gagliardini, and Luca Caldirola—Pedro Pereira as an RWB, along with Patrick Ciurria as an LWB.
A double pivot of Matteo Pessina and Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro, a narrow two central attacking midfielders, Valentín Carboni and Dany Mota, with a single striker, Lorenzo Colombo.
Napolis 4-3-3 pressing scheme relied on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia pressing DAmbrosio while covering Pereiras shadow, Giacomo Raspadori pressing Gagliardini, and Alessio Zerbin with Ciurria.
Piotr Zieliński and André-Frank Zambo Anguissa are marking Akpa Akpro and Pessina alongside Stanislav Lobotka, who was the extra man behind the second pressing line from the home side.
Finally, Napolis fullbacks Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Mário Rui mark Mota and Carboni.
Here, Carboni (highlighted in white) is in a narrow position, dropping to receive between the lines, with Rui following him.
When Carboni received here, Lobotka pressed him, illustrating the Slovakians rule as well.
We can see the advanced positioning of Ciurria LWB dragging Zarbin with him, and we can notice how far he is from the rest of the front line.
