Game 32, Serie A
Sunday April 28, 1996
Stadio Azzurri d’Italia, Bergamo
Atalanta Lazio 1-3
Lazio win despite a very hostile environment
Lazio’s season had been inconsistent until March 24 when they lost to Cremonese. At that point the season seemed lost and was very disappointing. But the players found the strength to change things around and since then Lazio never lost. Three wins and two draws. Lazio were sixth together with Inter, one point behind Roma and two from Parma. A win in Bergamo would be vital.
The match
The game was not going to be an easy one and the traditional hostility of the Bergamo supporters against anything coming from Rome was made even worse since a local born player, Beppe Signori, was the Biancocelesti star, hence a traitor. Not only. Signori was on 99 goals in Serie A. They certainly did not want him to score in Bergamo.
Lazio had three chances in the first 10 minutes with Diego Fuser, who hit the crossbar with a free kick, Daniele Franceschini and Signori. In the 10th minute Domenico Morfeo, from 25 metres ,gave the ball a big whack that Luca Marchegiani tipped onto the top of the crossbar. Two minutes later Lazio scored. Roberto Di Matteo passed the ball to Gigi Casiraghi on the right. The Lazio centre-forward moved into the box and shot towards goal. The ball was deflected by Mauro Valentini and Fabrizio Ferron was beaten. 1-0 for Lazio.
Atalanta reacted immediately. In the 21st minute there was a free kick on the right side of the Lazio penalty box. Perfect cross from Morfeo and splendid header from Sandro Tovalieri which hit the woodwork. In the 33rd minute Atalanta equalised. Morfeo outside of the box passed the ball to Cristiano Pavone. The Lazio defence almost cleared but Marco Sgrò was able to pass it to Morfeo who put the ball past Marchegiani.
In the 57th minute penalty for Lazio, Fuser burst into the box and tried to out run Valentini and Paolo Montero but was fouled on entry. Signori with his classic no run up spot kick gave Lazio the lead again. 100 goals in Serie A for Signori.
At this point Atalanta gave up, more concentrated on the upcoming Coppa Italia final against Fiorentina. Lazio administered. The crowd was not happy and when Signori went to take a corner in the 69th minute he was hit by a coin coming from the stands. A lot of pain for the blond striker. Alas no one is a prophet in their own land.
In the 84th minute the Biancocelesti closed the game. Quick counter attack, Signori to Fuser who ran down most of the pitch on the right and once near the box crossed in for Massimiliano Esposito who headed the ball in.
Good win for Lazio, fifth place reached and Roma overtaken.
Who played for Atalanta
Ferron, Pavone (65' Pisani), Conteh, Montero, Valentini, Bonacina, Sgrò (87' Mutarelli), Fortunato (90' Herrera), Gallo, Tovalieri, Morfeo
Substitutes: Zani, Luppi
Manager: Mondonico
Who played for Lazio
Marchegiani, Negro, Nesta (88’ Gottardi), Grandoni, Chamot, Fuser, Di Matteo, Franceschini (57’ Piovanelli), Rambaudi (67’ M. Esposito), Casiraghi, Signori
Manager: Zeman
Referee: Racalbuto
Goals: 12’ Valentini (og), 33’ Morfeo, 57’ Signori (pen), 84’ M. Esposito
Sources
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