Monza is back in Serie A. Barely a year after suffering relegation, the Lombard club accomplished its swift redemption through a nerve-racking playoff final against Catanzaro. Paolo Bianco’s men had taken the lead with a commanding 2-0 win in the first leg, only to witness their advantage slip away in the most agonizing manner during the return match. A 0-2 defeat at home left the score tied at 2-2 on aggregate, plunging the Serie B side into sheer chaos.

Catanzaro’s resurgence was fueled by strikes from Fellipe Jack and Ruggero Frosinini, who completely dismantled Monza’s defense in front of its own supporters. The home side pushed relentlessly, leaving Monza’s players and fans in a state of stunned disbelief as the dream of promotion began to fade.

However, the rules of the playoffs stipulated no extra time or penalty shootout in such scenarios. The tie-breaker would hinge solely on regular season standings. Monza, finishing third in Serie B, held the crucial advantage over Catanzaro, who ended fifth. It was enough to secure Monza’s hard-fought promotion.

The Brianzoli now celebrate their second ascent to Serie A in four years, having previously clinched promotion in 2022 against Pisa. This triumph marks a redemption arc for a club that had tasted European dreams during its first stint in the top flight, only to suffer relegation the following season.