Monza and Empoli search for their first points of the new Serie A season when they face off at the U-Power Stadium on Saturday.
The Biancorossi lost at last season's beaten Champions League finalists Inter Milan, while the away side were beaten 1-0 on their turf to Hellas Verona.
Match preview
Luca Caldirola scored the only goal at San Siro in mid-April, but Monza could not replicate that stunning 1-0 win over Simone Inzaghi's men last weekend.
This time, a Lautaro Martinez brace was enough for the Nerazzurri, who began the year with a routine victory over last year's new boys — a side that earned four points against Inter in 2022-23.
Raffaele Palladino's troops look for their first victory of their second year in Italy's top division, and the last meeting between these clubs gives the hosts reason to be optimistic.
They picked up a 2-1 victory over Empoli in March, with Armando Izzo scoring a 67th-minute winner for Monza on that occasion.
A repeat will be welcome, especially as the Biancorossi seek to avoid second-season blues in Serie A.
As for Empoli, a 1-0 defeat against last season's relegation playoff survivors must have hurt, as they did enough to come away with a point on the balance of play at the Castellani.
They cannot mope for long, with a visit to Monza this weekend, when they aim to end a winless run at the U-Power Stadium.
On their two visits to Lombardy, they have failed to come away with maximum points, picking up a draw in a Serie B encounter in February 2021 and losing 2-1 five months ago.
They could be third-time lucky this time, although a wretched away record last season (two wins from 19) suggests disappointment is more likely.
However, the motivation to end that run could inspire a top performance at the U-Power Stadium on Saturday.
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Team News
Andrea Colpani's injury at San Siro last week means the midfielder is doubtful for gameweek two and could be replaced by Samuele Birindelli.
Davide Bettella is out of this weekend's game with an ankle injury, so Palladino is expected to keep the same centre-backs from last week's defeat by Inter.
However, Izzo's return from suspension could force an alteration in central defence, even if Monza are likely to keep a back three on Saturday.
Just like last week, Daniel Maldini, Jacopo Fazzini and Sebastian Walukiewicz are sidelined for Empoli, and the trio will not play this weekend.
Zanetti's men suffered no fresh injuries in-game against Verona, so a side resembling last week's participant could be utilised in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Monza possible starting lineup:
Di Gregorio; D'Ambrosio, Mari, Caldirola; Ciurria, Birindelli, Gagliardini, Pessina, Kyriakopoulos; Maric, Caprari
Empoli possible starting lineup:
Caprile; Ebuehi, Ismajli, Luperto, Cacace; Marin, Grassi; Cancellieri, Baldanzi, Gyasi; Caputo
We say: Monza 2-1 Empoli
There is little between the teams, but Monza could nick a slender win against Empoli, whose winless run at the U-Power Stadium should continue this weekend.
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