Zemanlandia starts well
A good win against strong opposition give Lazio hope for forthcoming season
Also on this day: August 19, 1990, Lazio Werder Bremen 2-2. Goals by Riedle and Madonna give Lazio decent draw against fitter Germans. Player of the day: Massimiliano Nardecchia
The season so far
The previous season Lazio had finished fourth and again qualified for the UEFA Cup. New owner Sergio Cragnotti, however, decided it was time for a change. Out went Dino Zoff's conservative style of play and in came "Zemanlandia" with new manager Zdenek Zeman, who had impressed at Foggia. Zoff was kept on but as President.
The Bohemian brought Argentinean defender José Chamot with him and was reunited with winger Roberto Rambaudi (Atalanta). Lazio also added midfielder Giorgio Venturin (Torino) to their squad.
Leaving Lazio were defenders and fan favourite Luigi Corino (Brescia), Luca Luzardi (Napoli) plus well serving midfielder Claudio Sclosa (Cremonese-on loan).
So far, this summer Lazio in their two more competitive friendlies had very recently drawn 0-0 against Torino (then won 5-4 on penalties) and beaten Everton 4-0.
Deportivo La Coruña had finished 2nd in Spain the previous season. They had been cruelly pipped to the title by Barcelona on goal difference in the last game. The manager was Arsenio Iglesias and top scorer Brazilian Bebeto. In the UEFA Cup "Dépor" had reached the last 16 but then been knocked out by Eintracht Frankfurt (after eliminating Aalborg and Aston Villa). In the Copa del Rey they had been beaten in the last 16 by Barcelona 1-4 on aggregate.
This year Iglesias was still manager and some of their better known players included; Luis López Rekarte, Nando, Miroslav Dukić, Fran (captain), Mauro Silva, Bebeto and Julio Salinas. The two Brazilians, Bebeto and Mauro Silva had of course recently won the USA '94 World Cup.
So, a prestigious summer friendly between two ambitious teams.
The match: Friday, August 19, 1994, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
A decent crowd of 25,000 turned up for new manager Zdenek Zeman's debut at the Olimpico.
The "Gallegos" were still without World Champions Bebeto and Mauro Silva plus Julio Salinas. Lazio, meanwhile, played World Cup runner-up Beppe Signori but Paul Gascoigne was still injured while a young Alessandro Nesta was on the bench.
The opening stages were balanced and played mainly in midfield. Lazio however were already showing glimpses of the Bohemian's classic style of play, a 4-3-3 with the high defence, attacking full-backs and lively wingers trying to open the Spaniard's back line with cutting low balls.
The new tactics finally paid off just after the half hour. In the 34th minute Roberto Cravero sliced the "Coruñes" defence open with a long vertical through ball which Beppe Signori ran onto, controlled perfectly and hammered in a low left foot. Lazio 1 Deportivo La Coruña 0.
The fans reacted by celebrating 'Beppe-gol' but also by denigrating Italy coach Arrigo Sacchi who had played the Lazio striker out of position, if at all, in the recent USA 94 'World Cup.
Lazio's high tempo attacks made up of a myriad of one touches and sudden attacking forays seemed to be taking off and seven minutes later the Biancocelesti scored again. In the 41st minute it was José Antonio Chamot who teed up Pierluigi Casiraghi and Gigi, also known as Tyson, beat Juan Canales. Lazio 2 Deportivo La Coruña 0.
The fans were impressed and enthusiastic at the sight of Lazio's attacking qualities. Lazio went off for halftime to the sound of warm applause and 2-0 up.
For the second half both sides made changes. Lazio brought on Roberto Bacci, Dario Marcolin and Alen Boksic for Cravero, Diego Fuser and Casiraghi. The Spaniards threw on Francisco Liaño, Voro, Nando and Alfredo for Canales, Paco, Francisco Villarroya and Adolfo Aldana.
In the second half after only eight minutes came a game changer. Luca Marchegiani, the Lazio keeper, was sent off for a last man foul on Fran so Rambaudi was replaced by reserve keeper Fernando Orsi.
"Superdépor" immediately took advantage and pulled a goal back in the 56th minute. A hesitant Orsi was punished by Fran who picked up a rebound to put the visitors back in the game.
From this point onwards "Dépor" attacked more but the game remained an even contest. The "Herculinos" (after famous Hercules Tower) had more territorial control but Lazio were always dangerous on the break.
More substitutions followed, one worthy of note was Signori going off after 77 minutes and replaced by Ivano Della Morte.
Three minutes from time Lazio wrapped up the game. An Alen Boksic shot was clearly handballed in the area by Nando (who was sent off) and Dario Marcolin slotted in the penalty. Lazio 3 Deportivo La Coruña 1.
There was still time for one more substitution as in the 89th minute young homegrown talent (and future legend) Alessandro Nesta came on for Beppe Favalli.
So, a good 3-1 win for Lazio against a weakened but top-level Spanish opposition. Lazio had shown good attacking movements although Zeman declared to be only moderately satisfied, claiming there was still a lot of work to be done on speed.
Who played for Lazio
Marchegiani, Negro (86' Bergodi), Favalli (89' Nesta), Venturin (82' De Sio), Chamot, Cravero (46' Bacci), Rambaudi (53' Orsi), Fuser (46' Marcolin), Casiraghi (46' Boksic), Winter, Signori (77' Della Morte)
Substitutes: Adani
Manager: Zeman
Who played for Deportivo La Coruña,
Canales (46' Liano), Paco (46' Voro), Villarroya (46' Nando), Ribera, Djukic, Donato, Lopez Rekarte, Aldana (46' Alfredo), José Ramon, Fran, Manjarin (60' Pedro Riesco)
Manager: Iglesias
Referee: Nicchi
Goals: 34' Signori, 41' Casiraghi, 56' Fran, 87' Marcolin (pen)
What happened next
Lazio had a positive season. They finished in 2nd place in Serie A, albeit ten points behind champions Juventus. The Biancocelesti won 19 (including derby 2-0, Juventus 3-0 away, Inter 2-0 away, Napoli 5-1, Milan 4-0, Fiorentina 8-2, Foggia 7-1), drew 6 and lost 9 (including derby 0-3). So some great and high scoring wins but not enough consistency yet to really challenge for the Scudetto.
In the Coppa Italia Lazio reached the semi-finals but were beaten by Juventus 1-3 on aggregate.
In the UEFA Cup they had a good run reaching the quarterfinals. Lazio eliminated Dinamo Minsk, Trelleborg and Trabzonspor but were then narrowly knocked out by Borussia Dortmund, 1-2 on aggregate (last minute winner by former Lazio Karl-Heinz Riedle).
All in all, a season to remember. Entertainment was guaranteed, especially at home, and Lazio were the best attack with 69 goals (51 at home and only 18 away ...). Top Lazio scorer was Beppe Signori with 21 (17 in the league).
So as mentioned, Juventus won their 23rd title while Genoa, Reggiana, Foggia and Brescia sank down to Serie B.
Deportivo La Coruña too had a good season. They again finished 2nd in the league, this time behind Real Madrid. They won silverware however triumphing in the Copa del Rey defeating Valencia 2-1 at the Bernabeu in Madrid. A curious fact is the game was suspended after 79 minutes (on 1-1) so they had to play the last 11 minutes three days later when Alfredo got an 81st minute winner. In the UEFA Cup they too were eliminated by Borussia Dortmund but in the 3rd round, 2-3 on aggregate after extra-time. The top scorer was Brazilian Bebeto again with 22 (16 in La Liga).
Lazio 1994-95
Competition | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals scored |
Serie A | 34 | 19 | 6 | 9 | 69 |
Coppa Italia | 8 | 6 | - | 2 | 19 |
UEFA Cup | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 10 |
Total | 50 | 30 | 8 | 12 | 98 |
Top five appearances
Player | Total | Serie A | Coppa Italia | UEFA Cup |
Marchegiani | 48 | 33 | 7 | 8 |
Negro | 48 | 32 | 8 | 8 |
Casiraghi | 47 | 34 | 6 | 7 |
Rambaudi | 46 | 32 | 7 | 7 |
Fuser | 45 | 32 | 6 | 7 |
Top Five Goal Scorers
Player | Total | Serie A | Coppa Italia | UEFA Cup |
Signori | 21 | 17 | 4 | - |
Casiraghi | 15 | 12 | 3 | - |
Boksic | 11 | 9 | - | 2 |
Negro | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 |
Fuser | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 |
Let talk about Ivano Della Morte
Ivano Della Morte was born in Cirié (Turin), on October 13, 1974.
He was formed as a player by the Torino youth sector with a brief spell at Avellino. He won a "Primavera" Coppa Italia in 1992 and he scored a goal in Torino's 4-3 aggregate win over Reggiana (Christian Vieri got the other three)
In the 1992-‘93 season he made his debut in Serie A with the "Granata". Manager Emiliano Mondonico played him in "Toro's" 3-1 win over Pescara on February 28, 1993. That unfortunately would be his only game for Torino but he won silverware as Torino won the Coppa Italia (beating Roma on goal difference, 5-5 on aggregate).
In 1993 he joined Monza for a season in Serie B. The "Brianzoli" were relegated first under Giovanni Trainini (1-1) and then Nedo Sonetti (12-38). Della Morte played 16 league games.
In 1994 he moved to Lazio in Serie A who had just signed Zdenek Zeman as their new manager. Della Morte faced harsh competition in midfield and in fact only played in a few summer friendlies before being loaned to Lecce in Serie B but the Salentini were relegated. He played 20 games under two future Lazio connections, Luciano Spinosi and Edy Reja and then Piero Lenzi. He also scored his first professional goal, a winner versus Ascoli.
In 1995 he returned to Lazio but was loaned out again this time to Avellino in Serie B. For a third time his club was relegated and he played 19 games for the "Irpini". He played under three managers Zbigniew Boniek (1-4), Claudio Orrico (5-19), Bruno Pace (20-38).
For the next seven seasons Della Morte changed team every year; Alessandria (C1- 26 games, 3 goals), Reggiana (B-24 games, 1 goal), Fidelis Andria (B-17 games, 1 goal), Reggiana again (C1-18 games, 1 goal), Lucchese (C1-28 games, 3 goals), Vicenza (B-28 games, 1 goal) and Chievo (A-24 games, 4 goals vs Perugia, a winner against Lazio…, Piacenza, Bologna).
Between 2003 and 2005 he finally stayed two seasons with the same club, Genoa. He played 19 games in Serie B but at the end of the second the "Grifone" was relegated.
In 2006 he joined Cesena in Serie B. He played 10 games before leaving for Ascoli during the season and playing 3 last games in Serie A but the "Picchio" (The Woodpecker) was relegated.
In 2006-07 he played one last season with Alessandria in Serie D, making 18 appearances with 5 goals.
In his youth he was considered a promising player and won Italy caps; 3 for the U17's, 8 for the U18's and 2 for the U21's.
Since retiring he has worked at youth level for Canavese, Juventus and is currently with Torino U15's.
Della Morte had a mediocre career considering his talent. He is 1.80 and 76 kilos and was a midfielder. He did however play 28 games in Serie A. His best spell was with Chievo in 2002-‘03 under Luigi Delneri when the "Clivensi" finished 7th and Della Morte played 24 league games (with 4 goals), 4 in Coppa Italia and 1 in the UEFA Cup. He also got his revenge on Lazio, who had not believed in him, by scoring the winner in a 2-3 Chievo win at the Olimpico.
Lazio Career
Season | Coppa Italia |
1994-95 | 2 |
Sources
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