Bologna vs. Monza: Gustavo Varela Penalty Puts Monza Ahead Early at the Dall'Ara

Monza struck first at Bologna on Saturday, Oct. 31, taking a 1-0 lead in the sixth minute through a Gustavo Varela penalty at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara. The match opened Serie A’s Matchday 10 and kicked off at 10 a.m. ET (3 p.m. in Bologna). This story was written while the game was still in progress, around the 20-minute mark; the final result was not yet known.

What is the Bologna vs. Monza score?

As of the latest available update from BBC Sport, at about the 21st minute, Monza led 1-0. Arthur Theate conceded the penalty with a foul in the box in the third minute, and Varela sent his right-footed spot kick into the bottom right corner, according to BBC Sport’s live text.

Bologna had most of the ball early, with about 65% possession at that point per BBC Sport’s stats, but both teams had just one shot on target each. Monza goalkeeper Noel Törnqvist saved a left-footed Jens Odgaard attempt in the 16th minute. Monza’s Ricardo Mangas (12’) and Bologna’s Odgaard (17’) were both booked.

Readers should check a live scoreboard for the current score, since much of the match was still to be played when this was published.

What are the Bologna and Monza lineups?

Both coaches lined up in a 3-4-2-1, according to BBC Sport.

Bologna (Raffaele Palladino): Łukasz Skorupski; Martin Vitík, Nicolò Casale, Arthur Theate; Nadir Zortea, Lewis Ferguson (captain), Tommaso Pobega, Juan Miranda; Federico Bernardeschi, Nicolò Cambiaghi; Jens Odgaard. Riccardo Orsolini and Artem Dovbyk started on the bench.

Monza (Ivan Juric): Noel Törnqvist; Eddy Kouadio, Saba Goglichidze, Lorenzo Lucchesi; Samuele Birindelli (captain), Manga Foe Ondoa, Lorenzo Colombo, Ricardo Mangas; Dany Mota, Enzo Zeballos; Gustavo Varela.

Andrea Zanotti is the referee, with Federico Dionisi on VAR, according to Lega Serie A.

How did Bologna and Monza come into the game?

Bologna arrived in good form under Palladino. Lega Serie A said the hosts had won two straight, most recently an impressive win over AC Milan at San Siro, and ESPN lists that result as a 4-2 win on Oct. 28, after a 2-0 win at Cagliari on Oct. 24. Lega Serie A said Bologna have scored in every match under Palladino, but also noted a long home drought: the team had not won at the Dall’Ara since a 2-0 win over Lecce on April 12.

Monza came in on back-to-back losses, 3-2 at Torino and 4-1 at home to Napoli, after a 4-0 win over Cagliari, per ESPN. Lega Serie A noted that Monza had collected just one point from five away matches this season.

Before kickoff, ESPN listed Bologna with 11 points and Monza with seven. BBC Sport’s live table, which counts the in-progress score, had Bologna 12th on 11 points and Monza 14th on 10, so the standings will shift depending on how the match ends.

What is the Bologna vs. Monza head-to-head?

According to Lega Serie A, there had been nine previous meetings between the clubs in Bologna before Saturday: four Bologna wins, four draws and one Monza win (1-0 in the 2022-23 Serie A season). Their most recent league meeting in Bologna ended 3-1 to the hosts in January 2025, BBC Sport’s records show.

Lega Serie A also pointed out that Monza had conceded more goals than any other team in the opening 15 minutes of matches, and that Bologna had conceded the most goals to opposition substitutes.

Where to watch Bologna vs. Monza in the US?

ESPN’s match page listed CBS Sports Network as the US TV channel, with additional streaming options. Check your provider for availability.

What’s next for Bologna and Monza?

Lega Serie A lists Bologna’s next league game as a trip to Parma on Nov. 7, while Monza host Atalanta on Nov. 8.

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