Monza's return to the elite begins with a cup test: prediction for Monza vs. Avellino
The first round clash of the Coppa Italia between Monza and Avellino is set for August 14, 2026, at the U-Power Stadium in Monza. The hosts are preparing for their return to Serie A after a successful last season, while the visitors kick off another campaign in Serie B and will be eager to avoid a second consecutive early exit from the national cup.
Monza: new manager and serious squad depth
Monza stormed back into the top flight at the first attempt, clinching promotion from third place in Serie B after a successful playoff run. In the final against Catanzaro, the aggregate score was 2-2, but Monza’s higher finish in the regular season secured them the last ticket to Serie A behind Venezia and Frosinone.
This summer, Paolo Bianco replaced Ivan Jurić as head coach, and the squad was strengthened with the arrivals of Gustavo Varela, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, and Jay Robinson. The preseason went largely well, highlighted by a notable win over Galatasaray, though with a tough Serie A opener against Inter looming, the coach may opt for some rotation.
Avellino: Nesta returns to familiar ground
Last season exceeded expectations for Avellino after their promotion from Serie C. The team finished eighth in Serie B and qualified for the playoffs, where they were eliminated by Catanzaro in the first round.
Now, Avellino are led by Alessandro Nesta, who previously worked with Monza. Captain Dimitris Sounas is expected to maintain his key role in midfield, Luca Di Maggio impressed during summer friendlies against Torino and Lazio, and new signing Daniel Fila is set to spearhead the attack.
Match facts and head-to-head
- Last season in Serie B, both teams won their home fixtures 2-1.
- Monza won three of their last five preseason matches.
- Avellino finished eighth in Serie B last season and reached the playoffs.
Squad depth should make the difference: Monza vs. Avellino prediction
Monza might rest some key players ahead of their trip to Inter, but even with possible rotation, the hosts boast a deeper and higher-quality squad. Home advantage should also see Jurić’s side dominate possession and territory.
Avellino may hold firm for a while and make it tough for Monza to break through, but the visitors are likely to struggle for attacking opportunities. If Monza capitalise on their superior quality, the match could be all but decided soon after the break.
