Game 18, Serie A
Sunday, February 5, 1961
Stadio Comunale, Bologna
Bologna Lazio 1-1
Lazio play well, have numerous chances but then settle for a point against ten men
The season had not started well. Lazio were currently bottom of the table on 9 points. Safety was three points away, Spal on 12 points.
Bologna were not on top form but surely favourites at home against bottom of the table.
The match
A nice, sunny day in Bologna "La Dotta" (The Learned-for its ancient University) but only 7,000 spectators.
Bologna were missing Luis Vinicio, Giacomo Bulgarelli, Guglielmo Burelli, Romano Fogli and Ezio Pascutti while Lazio had their captain Maurilio Prini out suspended.
Lazio surprised Bologna by starting on the attack. Giancarlo Morrone freed himself but shot weakly while Franco Carradori's powerful freekick was just off target. In the 5th minute Morrone again danced through the defence but then fired wide. In the 9th minute a towering Orlando Rozzoni header was cleared off the goal line by Bruno Capra then spun up and hit the crossbar. Then a few minutes later Paolo Carosi and Rozzoni had only the keeper to beat but hesitated too much and the chance went wasted.
In the 16th minute Bologna finally emerged. Héctor De Marco teed up Giulio Bonafin who anticipated Bob Lovati and served Cesarino Cervellati who hit what looked like a sure goal but Adelmo Eufemi miraculously saved on the line.
In the 23rd minute Bologna scored. Following a free kick, Bonafin avoided three defenders and hammered the ball in. A good goal and Bologna 1 Lazio 0.
Bologna were galvanised and Lovati then saved well from Marino Perani.
Lazio however reacted and took back control of the game. The Biancocelesti had several chances to equalise: Rozzoni twice, Bruno Franzini and Claudio Bizzarri all went close. In the 41st minute Rozzoni missed from close range, the keeper then saved brilliantly on a Franzini header and again on Rozzoni. Halftime Bologna 1 Lazio 0. Lazio however had deserved far more.
The second half started in the same way. Lazio forward and Bologna occasionally threatening on the break.
Lazio equalised in the 61st minute. Franzini skipped past two defenders and shot, the keeper parried but on the rebound Franzini made no mistake and beat Attilio Santarelli. Bologna 1 Lazio 1.
In the 72nd minute the hosts were reduced to ten men. Cervellati exaggerated in his protests over an offside whistled against Bonafin and was given his marching orders.
The game calmed down and both sides seemed content with a point. A pity for Lazio who had played well and should have continued to push for a winner. Fulltime Bologna 1 Lazio 1.
A positive performance and a good point for Lazio but it could have been two. The local papers at the time wrote about hope but also about a missed opportunity.
Who played for Bologna
Santarelli, Capra, Pavinato,Tumburus, Cappa, Furlanis, Perani, De Marco, Bonafin, Campana, Cervellati
Manager: Allasio
Who played for Lazio
Manager: Flamini
T.D: Carver
Referee: Lo Bello
Goals: 23' Bonafin, 61' Franzini
Red card: 72' Cervellati
Sources
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