CESENA, Italy (Interstat) — Monza delivered a commanding away performance to defeat Cesena 3-1 in a Serie B match Tuesday afternoon at Orogel Stadium - Dino Manuzzi, extending its strong run of form and deepening the home side’s relegation concerns.

The visitors, who entered the match with only three losses in 22 league outings, controlled proceedings for large stretches and capitalized on a decisive second-half red card to secure the three points. The victory solidifies Monza’s position near the top of the table, while Cesena remains mired near the bottom with just two league wins all season.

Monza established early dominance, and it was substitute Paulo Dentello who broke the deadlock in the 25th minute, finishing a move to give the visitors a deserved lead. The advantage was doubled just eight minutes later when another substitute, Patrick Cutrone, found the net to make it 2-0.

The match’s pivotal moment arrived in the 57th minute when Dentello, already on a yellow card, received a second booking, reducing Monza to 10 men. However, any hope Cesena had of mounting a comeback was extinguished just after Dentello’s dismissal. In the 70th minute, Monza’s Andrea Petagna, also introduced from the bench, scored a crucial third goal to effectively seal the result at 3-0.

Cesena, which had been largely subdued offensively, managed a consolation goal deep into second-half stoppage time. Defender Gianluca Frabotta, who had assisted on Monza’s opening goal, turned scorer for Cesena in the 93rd minute, heading in a service from Luca Ravanelli to spoil the visitors’ clean sheet.

The match was a physical affair, with four yellow cards issued in addition to Dentello’s red. Frabotta and Cesena’s Andrea Ciofi were booked in the first half, while Dentello saw his first yellow before his sending-off, and Ravanelli was cautioned late for the hosts.

The result continued a clear trend between the two sides this season. Monza also won the reverse fixture 1-0 on Nov. 23, and has now lost only once in its last nine matches across all competitions. Cesena, meanwhile, has managed just one victory in its last 10 outings.

The pregame analytics from Interstat proved partially insightful. Their ELO rating system correctly favored Monza, projecting a 61.6% probability of victory for the visiting side. However, their game simulator’s projection of a 1-1 draw was overturned by Monza’s clinical finishing and resilience while playing a man down.

Monza will look to continue its promotion push when it travels to face Spezia on Saturday. Cesena, facing a battle for survival, will seek a vital result on the same day away to Modena.