Pessina’s Last-Gasp Penalty Denies Catanzaro in Fiery Serie B Draw with Monza

US Catanzaro were denied a vital Serie B victory at the death as AC Monza captain Matteo Pessina struck a 96th-minute penalty to secure a 1–1 draw on matchday 33.

The hosts made a dream start. In the 6th minute, Simone Pontisso put Catanzaro ahead with a regular-time opener that gave them early control of the contest. The game’s tone quickly turned combative, however, as a flurry of bookings disrupted the rhythm.

Serie B FINISHED

2026-04-06 13:00

US Catanzaro

1 - 1

AC Monza

Matchday 33 REGULAR_SEASON

Monza forward Patrick Cutrone received a yellow card in the 8th minute and was later dismissed in the 48th minute following a second caution, leaving the visitors with ten men. Catanzaro also suffered a major setback before the break when Gabriele Alesi was shown a straight red card in the 36th minute, ensuring both sides finished with reduced numbers. By half-time, yellow cards had also been shown to Marco D’Alessandro and Lorenzo Lucchesi.

The second half brought further drama. Monza’s substitutions, including the introductions of Giuseppe Caso and Andrea Carboni at the restart, pushed the visitors forward in search of an equaliser. Yet their task grew even harder in the 76th minute when substitute Keïta Baldé was sent off with a straight red card shortly after both Tommaso Cassandro and Baldé himself had gone into the referee’s book.

Despite being down to nine men, Monza kept pressing and were rewarded deep into stoppage time. In the 90th minute plus six, Pessina stepped up to convert a penalty, levelling the score at 1–1 and silencing Catanzaro hopes of a home win.

Both coaches turned to their benches frequently, with multiple substitutions for each side as they tried to adjust to the changing numbers on the pitch. Detailed statistical data beyond goals, cards and substitutions was not available at the time of writing.

The result leaves both clubs to reflect on a chaotic afternoon that could have significant implications in the Serie B run-in. Full match information can be found at Ballaxy, with team profiles for US Catanzaro and AC Monza also available.

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Serie B Standings

Season: 2025/26

#	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Form
1	Venezia FC	37	23	10	4	75	31	44	79	D W W D W
2	Frosinone Calcio	37	22	12	3	71	34	37	78	W W W D W
3	AC Monza	37	22	9	6	59	30	29	75	L W W W D
4	Palermo FC	37	20	12	5	61	31	30	72	W D W D W
5	US Catanzaro	37	15	14	8	60	48	12	59	L W D D D
6	Modena FC 2018	37	15	10	12	49	35	14	55	W L L D D
7	SS Juve Stabia	37	11	17	9	43	44	-1	50	L D D W L
8	Mantova 1911 SSD	37	13	7	17	45	52	-7	46	W W L W W
9	AC Cesena	37	12	10	15	42	52	-10	46	D D L L D
10	Calcio Avellino SSD	37	12	10	15	42	55	-13	46	L W W D L
11	Carrarese Calcio	37	10	14	13	46	50	-4	44	D L D L W
12	UC Sampdoria	37	11	11	15	35	47	-12	44	W D L W W
13	Padova Calcio	37	11	10	16	35	46	-11	43	W L W W L
14	Empoli FC	37	9	13	15	45	52	-7	40	W L D L L
15	FC Südtirol	37	8	16	13	37	47	-10	40	L L L D D
16	ACD Virtus Entella	37	9	12	16	34	50	-16	39	L W D D L
17	SSC Bari	37	9	10	18	35	58	-23	37	W L L L W
18	Delfino Pescara 1936	37	7	13	17	50	65	-15	34	L D D L W
19	Spezia Calcio	37	8	10	19	42	58	-16	34	D L W L L
20	AC Reggiana	37	8	10	19	35	56	-21	34	L D L W L