MONZA (Interstat) — Samuele Birindelli scored in the 27th minute Friday, lifting AC Monza to a 1-0 victory over Modena in Serie B action at U-Power Stadium.

Birindelli, a defender, netted the match’s lone goal, his first of the season, off an assist from substitute Daniel Tonoli. The sequence began when Tonoli delivered a through ball that split the Modena defense, allowing Birindelli to slot a low shot past Modena goalkeeper Andrea Seculin. The goal came during a stretch of sustained Monza pressure, as the home side controlled possession through the opening half-hour.

Modena struggled to generate clear chances, managing only a handful of shots on target. The visitors’ best opportunity came in the 63rd minute when forward Fabio Abiuso unleashed a curling effort from the edge of the box, but Monza keeper Stefano Gori parried it wide. Modena pushed for an equalizer in the final 20 minutes, but Monza’s defense, anchored by Adam Bakoune and Birindelli, held firm.

The match featured three yellow cards. Tonoli was booked in first-half stoppage time after a late challenge on Modena midfielder Luca Magnino. Substitute Bryant Nieling, who entered in the 72nd minute, received a caution in the 85th for a tactical foul. Bakoune was shown a yellow in the 90th minute for time-wasting as Monza protected its lead.

The win improved Monza’s Serie B record to five wins, one loss and six draws. Across all competitions, Monza stands at five wins, one loss and six draws. Modena fell to 12 wins, eight losses and eight draws in league play, and 12 wins, 10 losses and eight draws overall.

Both teams entered the contest in contrasting form. Monza had won three of its previous five league matches, including a 3-0 victory at Sampdoria on April 17 and a 2-0 home win against Bari on April 11. The only blemish in that stretch was a 1-1 draw at Catanzaro on April 6. Modena, meanwhile, had gone winless in its previous four league outings, losing 2-1 at home to Frosinone on April 18, drawing 2-2 at Catanzaro on April 14, drawing 1-1 at Sudtirol on April 11, and losing 3-1 at Bari on April 6. Before that skid, Modena had won three of four, including a 2-1 victory over Mantova on March 21 and a 3-0 win against Spezia on March 13.

The result marked a reversal from the teams’ earlier meeting this season, when Modena defeated Monza 2-1 on Dec. 26, 2025. Monza’s last victory over Modena before Friday came in the 2024-25 campaign.

Nieling and Tonoli each recorded an assist in the win. Bakoune also was credited with an assist on a play that did not directly lead to the goal but was part of the buildup. Monza’s bench provided key contributions, with Tonoli and Nieling combining for the decisive assist.

Monza faces Mantova on the road in its next Serie B fixture, set for May 1. Modena will host Reggiana on the same date.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of AC Monza 1, Modena 0. Interstat’s ELO system gave Modena a 60.20 percent probability to win before the match.