Our prediction for this Serie B match:
A place in the Serie B playoffs final will be at stake when Cittadella and Monza face each other at Stadio Pier Cesare Tombolato. La Citta defeated Brescia in the quarterfinals thanks to Federio Proia’s goal, but they will have a much bigger fish to fry in Monday’s football game. Giacomo Beretta misses the match through injury, with Marco Rosafio likely to step up. You should bear in mind that under 2.5 goals have been netted in each of Cittadella’s previous four league matches.
Monza, on the other hand, failed to secure automatic promotion despite being regarded as one of the main favourites to do so. Mario Balotelli and Co. did well to beat Salernitana and Cosenza in the previous two away games in the Serie B, which is probably the main reason why we are tempted to put our money on Christian Brocchi’s troops. Defender Giuseppe Bellusci will have to serve his ban against La Citta.
Highlighted Player (Fabio Lucioni):
Fabio Lucioni is a product of Ternana football school. Lucioni played for the youth team of Ternana from 2002 to 2005 and he eventually made 14 appearances for the first team. The 185-cm-tall defender played for the likes of Monopoli, Noicattaro, Gela, Barletta, Spezia and Reggina in the past as well before joining Benevento in 2014.
Lucioni has established himself as a first-team regular at the club and it has to be noted that he scored three goals in 46 appearances for Benevento in the 2016/2017 Serie B campaign. The Stregoni secured promotion to the Serie A by beating Carpi in the play-offs final, meaning that Lucioni will have a chance to test a top-flight football in the 2017/2018 season.
Lucioni’s main position is centre-back and his contract with Benevento expires on June 30, 2018. The left-footed defender, who was born in Terni on September 25, 1987, has yet to earn a call-up for the Italian national football team.
Highlighted Team (Lecce):
When you imagine a yellow-red shirt, Lecce must be the first club that comes to your mind. Founded back in 1908, Lecce are Italian club that will compete in the Serie A in the 2019/2020 season. The Giallorossi return to the Italian top flight following a seven-year absence and, as always, they will host their rivals at Stadio Via del Mare.
The venue which was opened on September 11, 1966 can hold up to 33,876 people. The likes of Antonio Conte, Graziano Pelle, Javier Chevanton, Juan Cuadrado, Mirko Vucinic, Fabrizio Miccoli and Massimo Oddo are one of the most notable footballers who played for the Italian club in the past.
Lecce and Gallipoli face each other in the Salento derby and there have been fireworks in meetings between the two clubs since the 2009/2010 Serie B season when they first met in the league.