Game 39, Serie A
Sunday, June 13, 1948
Stadio Moccagatta, Alessandria
Alessandria Lazio 2-2
A carefree Lazio and two goals by Roman De Andreis deny the Grey Bears victory and almost condemn them to relegation
A cloudy day in Piedmont with a sparse crowd for Alessandria's last home game.
Lazio started at a lightning pace putting the locals in difficulty from the onset. Enrique Flamini was wasteful after only two minutes and in the 10th minute Gino Armano shot straight at the keeper from a favourable position. Lazio pushed on and in the 14th minute Costantino De Andreis had a shot cleared off the line by Rosetta.
Lazio’s efforts were rewarded in the 20th minute. An Romolo Alzani freekick was turned in by De Andreis. Alessandria 0 Lazio 1.
The lead did not last long however as in the 26th minute the "Orso grigio" (The Grey Bear) stirred. On a Cesare Gallea free kick, Corrado Giubilo mistimed his jump and was punished by Carlo Stradella lurking near goal. Alessandria 1 Lazio 1, that was also the halftime score line.
In the second half the "Mandrogni" (historic area of the town) came on with more urgency, in line with their desperate position in the table. In the 55th minute a brilliant move involving Gallea, Luigi Soffrido and Aristide Coscia was finished off with a Stradella strike but it went just wide.
The home side's dominance bore its fruits in the 63rd minute when they took the lead with a goal by Coscia. Alessandria 2 Lazio 1.
The difference in motivation between the sides continued to show and Alessandria almost made it three in the 65th minute when a powerful shot by Soffrido whistled over the bar. Shortly after the "Grigi" had a penalty appeal turned down when Fabio Frugali was allegedly tripped inside the area.
Alessandria's survival hopes took a blow in the 69th minute as Lazio equalised. The same duo as in the first goal conjured up a similar move. An Alzani freekick was met by De Andreis who headed past Anselmo Giorcelli. Alessandria 2 Lazio 2.
The game then petered out, Alessandria unable to push for the winner and Lazio satisfied with the point.
A fair draw in the end despite the Alessandrini's superior incentives. An away point for Lazio, never to be scoffed at.
Who played for Alessandria
Giorcelli, Ottonello, Di Gennaro, Gallea, Rosetta, Tortarolo, Armano, Soffrido, Stradella, Coscia, Frugali
Manager: Kovács
Who played for Lazio
Giubilo, Antonazzi, Piacentini, Alzani, Rosi, Brunetti, Puccinelli, Magrini, Penzo I, Flamini, De Andreis
Manager: Tognotti
Referee: Longagnani
Goals: 20' De Andreis, 26' Stradella, 63' Coscia, 69' De Andreis
Sources
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