Monza

Why Monza

Monza work as a second team because they come with their own geography: Italy, Stadio Brianteo, and a set of rivalries you will absorb faster than you expect.

• The calendar you inherit

  Following Italy Serie A means odd kick-off hours, a new commentary language and a table you will check before your own club's. Italy becomes part of your week.

• Old enough to matter

  1912 is the founding date, old enough that the club has survived a war, a rebuild and at least one financial scare, young enough that the good years are still in living memory.

• Nothing won, everything to play for

  Trophyless, so far. That is the pitch: be there before the story turns.

• Close to the pitch

  Stadio Brianteo holds about 17,102. You can hear the defenders shouting at each other, which is the single best argument for lower-capacity football.