Venezia secures vital win against Monza with Fila’s goal in Serie A matchday 32

In a crucial relegation battle on April 12, 2025, Venezia secured a vital 1-0 victory over Monza in matchday 32 of Serie A, thanks to Daniel Fila’s decisive goal. The Czech striker’s first-ever Serie A goal came in the 72nd minute, giving Paolo Di Francesco’s side their first win in 14 matches and reigniting their survival hopes in Italy’s top flight. This hard-fought triumph puts the Venetians just two points away from safety, with Lecce currently occupying the 17th position outside the relegation zone.

In Short

Fila’s breakthrough moment propels Venezia in survival battle

Daniel Fila etched his name into Venezia’s survival story with a perfectly timed first Serie A goal. The Czech forward, who entered the match as a substitute alongside Yeboah at the 60-minute mark, capitalized on excellent work from Ellertsson to break the deadlock. The Icelandic midfielder cleverly outmaneuvered Birindelli on the left flank, delivering a precise cross that Fila converted with clinical efficiency in the 72nd minute.

The goal electrified the Penzo Stadium crowd, who had endured a tense and largely uneventful match up to that point. Statistical models had predicted a tight contest between the 19th and 20th placed teams, but few would have anticipated such a dramatic turning point. Advanced match data showed Venezia creating an xG (expected goals) value of just 0.87 throughout the match, making Fila’s finish all the more valuable.

Unfortunately for Fila, his memorable afternoon ended prematurely when referee Maresca showed him a second yellow card in the closing minutes. Despite finishing with ten men, Venezia’s defensive resilience held firm during the six minutes of added time, securing all three points when Caldirola sent his final effort sailing over the crossbar.

This victory represents only the fourth win of the season for the arancioneroverdi, but its timing couldn’t be more crucial as they prepare for another relegation six-pointer against Empoli on Easter Sunday. The win demonstrates why Serie A matches today often produce surprising outcomes that defy pre-match predictions, especially when survival instincts kick in during the season’s final stretch.

Tactical battle showcases relegation scrap intensity

Di Francesco maintained faith in Danish striker Gytkjaer against his former club, marking only his fourth start of the season. The Venezia manager deployed Oristanio as a supporting forward while relying on Nicolussi Caviglia to orchestrate play alongside Kike Perez and Busio in midfield. The defense saw Marcandalli stepping in for Schingtienne in an otherwise unchanged backline.

On the opposite side, Alessandro Nesta’s Monza lined up in a 3-5-2 formation, with Ciurria covering the left flank in place of the suspended Kyriakopoulos. The surprising inclusion of Andrea Carboni, making his first appearance since February 25th against Roma, bolstered the backline. Up front, Keita Baldé partnered with Dani Mota Carvalho, though the former would exit early due to injury, making way for Caprari after just 26 minutes.

The tactical approach from both sides reflected their precarious positions. Monza began more assertively, with Dani Mota forcing Radu into an impressive save from a corner in the 4th minute. The first half settled into a pattern of Venezia possession without penetration, as Nicolussi Caviglia and his midfield partners struggled to find passing lanes to the forwards.

Set pieces proved to be Venezia’s most promising route to goal in the opening period. Nicolussi Caviglia’s direct free-kick in the 25th minute struck the crossbar after Turati’s intervention, while another dead-ball situation four minutes later saw Marcandalli’s close-range effort saved by the Monza goalkeeper following Idzes’ cushioned header.

The second half transformation came with Di Francesco’s double substitution introducing Yeboah and Fila, whose mobility and fresh energy ultimately made the difference in breaking down Monza’s resilient defense. This tactical adjustment proved as decisive as Milan’s approach against Verona in their recent 1-0 victory, where a single goal similarly determined the outcome.

Relegation implications and future outlook

This result carries profound implications in the Serie A relegation battle. With just six matches remaining, Venezia has cut the gap to safety to merely two points, putting immense pressure on Lecce, who face a challenging fixture against Juventus, and Empoli, who must contend with title-chasing Napoli. The arancioneroverdi’s triumph breathes new life into their campaign after a dismal run of 14 matches without victory.

For Monza, the defeat represents a potentially fatal blow to their survival hopes. Despite showing improved determination under Nesta’s guidance, their inability to convert pressure into goals has become a recurring theme. The Brianzoli now face an almost insurmountable challenge to maintain their Serie A status with time rapidly running out.

The emotional backdrop to the match added further significance, as Venezia paid tribute to captain Marco Modolo before kickoff. Accompanied by his children Tommaso and Camilla and his wife, former basketball player Benedetta Bagnara, Modolo received warm applause from the crowd and visiting former teammate Joel Pohjanpalo.

Looking ahead, both teams face critical fixtures in their battle for survival. Venezia’s upcoming Easter Sunday clash with Empoli represents another potential season-defining moment, while Monza must find immediate solutions to their offensive struggles if they harbor any hopes of producing a miraculous escape. As the Serie A season enters its decisive phase, every point becomes increasingly valuable, and performances under pressure will ultimately determine which clubs preserve their top-flight status for another season.