In a touching display of community engagement, AC Monza’s first-team delegation spent Tuesday afternoon at the La Meridiana Cooperative in Monza, Italy, reinforcing the club’s commitment to social responsibility beyond the pitch. The visit, led by head coach Paolo Bianco and featuring key players like Matteo Pessina and Andrea Colpani, highlighted the Serie A club’s ongoing partnership with one of the region’s most respected care facilities.

What Happened During the Visit

The AC Monza delegation arrived at the RSD San Pietro facility, a specialized care center operated by La Meridiana that serves residents with complex medical needs. According to the club’s official account, the visit included:

• A guided tour of the facility, where players interacted with residents and staff
• Informal conversations between players and caregivers about the cooperative’s mission
• A moment of reflection in the facility’s communal spaces, where Bianco and the players listened to stories from residents

The club described the afternoon as a “wonderful moment in biancorosso” (the team’s red-and-white colors), emphasizing the emotional resonance of the visit for both players and residents.

The Players Involved

The delegation included six key figures from AC Monza’s first team:

• Paolo Bianco – Head coach and former Serie A defender
• Matteo Pessina – Midfielder and Italy international, known for his leadership on and off the field
• Andrea Colpani – Versatile midfielder and one of the team’s rising stars
• Patrick Ciurria – Forward and fan favorite
• Filippo Delli Carri – Defender with a growing role in the squad
• Samuele Capolupo – Young goalkeeper developing in the academy system

Notably absent were veteran defenders Luca Caldirola and Roberto Gagliardini, who were recognized separately at a recent awards ceremony for the club’s community work (more on that below).

La Meridiana Cooperative: A Pillar of Monza’s Community

Founded in 1978, La Meridiana Cooperative has become a cornerstone of social care in the Monza-Brianza region. The cooperative operates several facilities, including:

• RSD San Pietro – A residential care center for individuals with complex medical and cognitive needs
• Il Paese Ritrovato – An innovative “village” designed for Alzheimer’s patients, offering a safe, home-like environment

The cooperative’s work has garnered national attention, including recognition from Italy’s healthcare authorities for its person-centered approach to elder care. AC Monza’s partnership with La Meridiana dates back several years, with the club regularly supporting fundraising initiatives and awareness campaigns.

Broader Context: AC Monza’s Community Commitments

This visit is part of a larger pattern of community engagement for AC Monza, a club that has balanced on-field ambition with off-field impact since its promotion to Serie A in 2022. Recent initiatives include:

• GGM Award 2024 – The club was honored with the prestigious GGM Award in December 2024 for its “growth and social responsibility.” The ceremony took place at Il Paese Ritrovato, with club CEO Adriano Galliani accepting the award alongside players Caldirola and Gagliardini. Galliani used the occasion to reaffirm the club’s commitment to Serie A, stating, “We will not return to Serie B after only 36 months.”
• Youth Development – The club’s academy has expanded its outreach programs, partnering with local schools to promote sports participation among underserved communities.
• Stadium Accessibility – AC Monza has invested in upgrades to the U-Power Stadium to improve accessibility for fans with disabilities, aligning with the cooperative’s inclusive values.

Why This Visit Matters Now

The timing of this visit is significant for several reasons:

1. Mid-Season Reflection – With the Serie A season entering its final stretch, the visit offered players a chance to step away from the pressures of relegation battles (AC Monza currently sits in 16th place, two points above the drop zone) and reconnect with the community that supports them.
2. Leadership Transition – Head coach Paolo Bianco, appointed in January 2026, has emphasized the importance of team culture in his early tenure. This visit served as a team-building exercise as much as a community outreach effort.
3. Local Pride – Monza, a city of 120,000 people, has embraced AC Monza’s rise to Serie A as a source of civic pride. The club’s engagement with local institutions like La Meridiana reinforces its identity as a team rooted in its community.

Reactions from the Visit

While the club’s official channels provided the most detailed account of the visit, social media reactions from fans and local observers underscored its impact:

• A fan on Twitter/X described the visit as “the kind of thing that makes you proud to support this club,” noting that “it’s not just about the 90 minutes on Saturday.”
• Local journalist Filippo Panza, who covered the GGM Award ceremony, tweeted that the club’s community work “sets a standard for what a modern football club should be.”
• La Meridiana’s official Instagram account shared a photo of the visit with the caption, “Moments like these remind us why community matters.”

What’s Next for AC Monza

On the pitch, AC Monza faces a critical run of fixtures as it battles to secure its Serie A status for a fourth consecutive season. The club’s next match is a home game against Udinese on Sunday, May 3, 2026, at 3:45 PM local time (1:45 PM UTC). A win would provide a much-needed boost in the relegation scrap, with three of the team’s final five matches coming against fellow strugglers.

Off the pitch, the club is expected to announce additional community initiatives in the coming weeks, including a collaboration with La Meridiana to support dementia awareness during Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month in June.

Key Takeaways

• Who: AC Monza’s first-team delegation, including coach Paolo Bianco and players Matteo Pessina, Andrea Colpani, Patrick Ciurria, Filippo Delli Carri and Samuele Capolupo.
• What: A visit to La Meridiana Cooperative’s RSD San Pietro facility, focusing on interaction with residents and staff.
• When: Tuesday, April 28, 2026.
• Where: Monza, Italy, at the RSD San Pietro facility.
• Why It Matters: Reinforces AC Monza’s commitment to community engagement amid a challenging Serie A season.
• Broader Impact: Part of a larger pattern of social responsibility initiatives, including the club’s recent GGM Award recognition.

How to Follow AC Monza’s Community Work

Fans interested in staying updated on AC Monza’s community initiatives can follow these official channels:

• AC Monza Official Website (English/Italian)
• La Meridiana Cooperative Official Website (Italian)
• AC Monza’s social media accounts: Twitter/X, Instagram, Facebook