Monza brace for Coppa Italia opener without captain Pessina

Monza will be without captain Matteo Pessina for a while after a serious knee injury, confirmed by coach Ivan Juric, ahead of Friday's Coppa Italia First Round tie against Avellino at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST) and their opening Serie A campaign.

Ivan Juric announced that the 29‑year‑old midfielder will miss action for an undefined period following the knee problem. He stressed the loss of a leader both on and off the pitch and said Pessina will stay close to the squad despite his absence.

Coppa Italia First Round clash

The Italian football season kicks off in earnest on Friday with several Coppa Italia First Round ties, including Monza hosting Avellino at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST). The match marks Monza’s first appearance in the competition this season.

Because of the injury, Pessina will not be part of the squad for the Coppa Italia game, nor will he feature in the opening rounds of the Serie A campaign.

“Pessina had a problem with his knee, he will be out for a while,” Juric said at a press conference. “It is a huge loss. He is a leader both on and off the field. In any case, he will remain close to his teammates.”

Further medical examinations are scheduled over the next few days to determine the full extent of the damage and to estimate how long he will be sidelined. Early indications suggest a recovery period of several months.

Matteo Pessina, a product of his hometown club’s youth academy, returned to MONZA in 2023 after spells with Milan and Atalanta. He had hoped to play a key role following the club’s promotion back to Serie A, but the injury now threatens his involvement for the foreseeable future.

Juric, who only took over this summer, added: “The objective of course is to secure safety and help some of these lads develop. There is an abyss between Serie A and Serie B. We decided to make several changes, adding lads of great quality, but they have never actually played in the top flight.”

Looking ahead without Pessina

AC Monza must navigate the Avellino fixture and the early Serie A matches without their captain. The coaching staff will rely on the depth of the squad to maintain competitiveness while Pessina continues his rehabilitation.