Game 3, Serie A
Sunday, September 17, 1995
Stadio San Nicola, Bari
Bari Lazio 3-3
After a nightmare start, 3-1 down at half time and in ten men, Lazio conquer point despite Protti hat-trick
Today was the 3rd league fixture of the season. So far Lazio had won two out of two, Piacenza 4-1 at home and Cagliari 1-0 away. The Biancocelesti were top with Juventus and Milan on 6 points.
So far in Serie A Bari had one point after a 1-1 home draw with Napoli and a 1-3 away defeat to Torino.
The match
A 35,000-crowd turned out at the San Nicola stadium built for Italia '90.
Bari were without midfielder Gérson while Lazio had no real injury problems apart from Alessandro Nesta being out.
Bari fielded three future Roma players, Amedeo Mangone, Carmine Gautieri and Abel Xavier.
Lazio started out on the attack. In the 5th minute Beppe Signori, set up by Alen Boksic, had only the keeper to beat but uncharacteristically fired his volley well over the bar.
Lazio were punished three minutes later. In the 8th minute Kennet Andersson crossed and Igor Protti headed in to give the Biancorossi the lead. Bari 1 Lazio 0.
The home side were galvanised and six minutes later doubled their lead. In the 14th minute Igor Protti beat Luca Marchegiani with a precise, low shot. Bari 2 Lazio 0. Nightmare start for Lazio.
Lazio tried to respond but their attacks were systematically blocked by Bari's midfield and defence.
In the 36th minute things got even worse. Guerino Gottardi committed his second bookable offence and was sent for an extremely early shower.
A glimmer of hope for Lazio came just before halftime. In the 44th minute Aron Winter reduced the arrears despite heavy protests by the Bari players for a possible push by Boksic on the keeper. The goal stood and the teams went to the break with the Pugliesi leading 2-1.
For the second period Zdenek Zeman threw caution to the wind and put on striker Gigi Casiraghi for midfielder Roberto Rambaudi. With a 3-3-3 formation Lazio were very unbalanced and attacking oriented.
They were punished almost immediately. In the 49th minute Protti got his hat-trick when he headed in a Pietro Parente cross. Bari 3 Lazio 1. It looked like curtains for the Romans. Most people's money would probably be on Bari piling more misery on the visitors.
Bari had the game for the taking but inexplicably pulled back and let themselves be attacked. Lazio obliged the decision and had chances with Signori (just wide), Boksic (Fontana saved) and in the 57th minute pulled one back. Winter fed Boksic, the Croat put an assist across to Casiraghi who, sliding forward, slotted into the empty goal. Bari 3 Lazio 2.
The Biancorossi were in a trance and incapable of changing their tactics. Not even two minutes later Lazio were awarded a penalty for an ever so light push by Marcello Montanari on Boksic, a generous one to say the least. Signori, as usual without a run up, put the ball in the back of the net. Bari 3 Lazio 3. A remarkable turnaround.
The game dropped in intensity with both sides possibly satisfied with the draw. Lazio's substitutions would certainly indicate so as they took off both Signori and Boksic in the 72nd minute for a midfielder Marco Piovanelli and a defender Cristiano Bergodi. Bari too made three substitutions but all role for role.
As it was, the game provided no more excitement, apart from a Roberto Di Matteo effort saved by Fontana, and ended 3-3.
A difficult game to analyse. Bari had the game in their hands, two goals up twice and with the extra man but probably could have lost if Lazio had been more determined to continue attacking. The "Cockerels" would have signed for a point before the game.
Lazio had shown defensive weaknesses but also some character coming back to salvage a point. With a bit more courage they could have possibly taken all three.
Who played for Bari
Fontana, Montanari, Sala, Ricci, Mangone, Parente (70' Gautieri), Pedone, Abel Xavier (61' Ficini), Manighetti, Andersson (70' Guerrero), Protti
Substitutes: Alberga, Annoni
Manager: Materazzi
Who played for Lazio
Marchegiani, Gottardi, Favalli, Fuser, Negro, Chamot, Rambaudi (46' Casiraghi), Di Matteo, Boksic (72' Piovanelli), Winter, Signori (72' Bergodi)
Manager: Zeman
Referee: Braschi
Goals: 8' Protti, 14' Protti, 44' Winter, 49' Protti, 57' Casiraghi, 59' Signori (pen)
Red Card: 36' Gottardi (L)
Source
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