There is undoubtedly a tradition of great goalkeepers who have played for Lazio over the years. Each decade has had its legendary goalkeeper and, in this article, we will go through them.
Early years
Lorenzo Gasilini: Born in Milan on March 2, 1890, he started playing for Lazio in 1912 while in Rome for his military service. He was the goalkeeper of the team that reached the national final in 1913 against Pro Vercelli. He participated in the first world war and died in Milan on January 7, 1919, due to a pulmonary illness contracted during the war. He made 21 appearances for Lazio.
The 1920s
Ezio Sclavi: Legendary goalkeeper, he was born on March 23, 1902 in Montu' Beccaria near Pavia. In 1923 he was sent to Rome to carry out his compulsory military service and was fortuitously signed up by Lazio. He played two seasons before moving to Turin to play for Juventus but was not first choice so he returned to Rome and played for Lazio until 1934. He made a total of 255 appearances for the Biancocelesti. He was not particularly tall (1.77 metres) but what he lacked in height he made up for in courage. Once he stopped playing, he became a painter. A man and player no-one can forget.
1930s
Giacomo Blason: Born in Fiumicello (Udine) on March 19, 1914, he was a reliable, steady keeper and had some good seasons at Lazio with 2nd, 4th, 5th, 8th and 10th places. His strong points were coming off his line and incredibly strong legs which enabled him to perform superb acrobatic dives and jumps. He played for six seasons with 162 appearances.
1940s
Uber Gradella can easily be placed among the greatest goalkeepers to ever wear the Lazio shirt. Born in Mantua on June 14 1921 he joined Lazio in 1940 and stayed until 1949. In 1948 in an attempt to catch the ball, surrounded by Atalanta attackers, three players fell heavily on him and he broke his knee. After a long period away from football he recovered, but Lazio had already bought a new goalkeeper. The thought of playing for a team other than Lazio was unbearable and at the age of 28 he quit football. He opened a few sports shops in Rome and in his later years was often to be heard on the radio speaking about Lazio. He made 161 appearances for the Biancocelesti.
1950s
Lucidio Sentimenti IV is one of the most famous goalkeepers in Italian football and consequently a legendary figure in Lazio history. Born in Bomporto (Modena) on July 1, 1920, he arrived in Rome in 1949. He became a team leader and in the first three years Lazio came consistently fourth. The team played some good football and won the admiration of the whole of Italy. He was only 1.70 tall but had a great sense of position and what he lacked in height he made up for with his athleticism. He was also a very modern goalkeeper and often used his feet to save goals. He played 172 games for Lazio and scored three goals, all on penalty kicks.
Roberto “Bob” Lovati: Although originally from the region of Lombardy (born in Cusano Milanino on July 20, 1927), Lovati became a legend at Lazio, first as a player, then as a manager and technical director plus various other jobs, just as long it was for the Biancocelesti. His playing career at Lazio started in 1955 and he was captain when Lazio won the Italian Cup in 1958, their first historic silverware. He played for the Biancocelesti for six years making 147 appearances. He was manager for various periods, assistant for Juan Carlos Lorenzo and Tommaso Maestrelli, talent scout and director.
1960s
Idilio Cei was born in Larciano, near Pistoia, on June 8, 1937 and played for Lazio from 1957 to 1968. He had an exceptional sense of position and was very strong. As a consequence, he was one of those goalkeepers who could perform miracles. He made 293 appearances for the Biancocelesti in perhaps not the happiest years as far as results were concerned. But he was a fundamental player.
1970s
Felice Pulici was one of the heroes of Lazio’s first scudetto and probably the best keeper the Biancocelesti have ever had. Born in Sovico near Milan on December 22, 1945, he arrived in Rome, amid much scepticism, in 1973. The start of his career with Lazio was terrible. Defeat to Napoli, 0-0 at Palermo, defeat to Brindisi (Serie B), home defeat to Taranto (Serie B). Lots of criticism, at one point there were rumours that Lazio would sell him in the November transfer window. But he had the unconditional support of the manager, so he stayed. And Lazio started flying. In the entire 1972-73 season Lazio only conceded 16 goals. Pulici was a very solid keeper and always did the right thing at the right time, instilling tranquillity in the defence. He was also a wonderful person. And despite the fact that he did not grow up in Rome, he was in love with Lazio. He played 200 games for the Biancocelesti.
1980s
Fernando Orsi arrived at Lazio as second goalkeeper in 1982. Born in Rome on September 12, 1959, he had grown up in the Roma youth sector. The first choice goalkeeper was Maurizio Moscatelli who however had suffered a serious injury in 1980 and then made a slow recovery. In the first games of the 1982-83 season, Moscatelli had not been up to par, so Orsi took his place and stayed in goal until the end of the 1984-85 season. Four years later he was back. He accepted the role of second keeper behind Valerio Fiori. The role of reserve sometimes translated into first choice and in all the years at the club he made 134 appearances. After he retired, he was also assistant to Roberto Mancini. He was a great goalie, not particularly tall, but was strong, agile and above all reliable. He was appreciated and respected by his coaches and teammates for his professionality He was always ready when needed and never made a fuss when he was left out.
1990s
Luca Marchegiani is the Lazio goalkeeper with the most appearances in their history: 338. He is also the most successful, having won a scudetto, the Coppa Italia twice, the Italian Supercoppa twice, a UEFA Cup Winners Cup and a UEFA Super Cup. Born in Ancona on February 22 1966, he arrived at Lazio in 1993 and lived through what we can call the golden age. In his first seven years of Lazio he was one of the best goalkeepers in Italy. He would save everything that could be stopped. He did not have the explosiveness and power of Angelo Peruzzi who could even save the impossible, but if it was within human reach, he got there. He did make the occasional mistake and there were always a couple of blunders each year, but “Il Conte” (The Count as he was called), was always very reliable. After the Lazio scudetto, President Sergio Cragnotti had the opportunity of signing Peruzzi and Marchegiani became Lazio’s second keeper. Peruzzi was prone to injury so Lazio needed a goalkeeper that could step up and be an excellent replacement which he was for three seasons.
2000s
Angelo Peruzzi is considered one of the greatest Italian keepers of all time. He was powerful and athletic with explosive reactivity but at the same time agile, despite his sturdy physique. Born in Blera (Viterbo), not far from Rome, on February 15, 1970 he joined Lazio in 2000 and stayed for seven years totalling 226 appearances. At Lazio he was well loved, as a local lad, for his technical ability and not least for his affable, kind and down to earth character.
2010s
Federico Marchetti was born in Bassano del Grappa, on February 7, 1983 and joined Lazio in 2010. He is one of the heroes of the 2013 historic Rome derby Coppa Italia final. Lazio triumphed 1-0 (Lulic) and Marchetti's save on to the crossbar from a Totti freekick shortly after the Lazio goal (the unforgettable 71st minute) has taken on legendary status. Marchetti is a strong and agile goalkeeper. He is 1.90 metres but quick and explosive in his reactions. He is considered one of the best keepers of his generation. He is also one of the bravest, being extremely courageous when coming off his line to face potentially dangerous situations. He made 194 appearances.
2020s
Ivan Provedel is the current Lazio goalkeeper. Born on March 17, 1994 in Pordenone, he joined Lazio in 2022. Theoretically he was supposed to be backup goalkeeper to Luis Maximiano, but the Portuguese made a terrible mistake on his debut. After just a few minutes he saved a ball with his hands outside the penalty box. He was sent off and in came Ivan Provedel. He never left and took over the goal for the Biancocelesti. He did very well and was elected best goalkeeper of the season, not surprisingly with 21 clean sheets. He also scored an iconic goal in the dying seconds against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, the first Lazio goalkeeper to score in open play. He has so far made 85 appearances, with one goal.
Top Twenty Goalkeeper Appearances
Player | Appearances | Years played |
338 | 1993-02 | |
293 | 1957-68 | |
255 | 1923-34 | |
226 | 2000-07 | |
208 | 2016-21 | |
200 | 1972-78, 1981-82 | |
194 | 2011-18 | |
172 | 1949-54 | |
162 | 1934-39 | |
161 | 1940-49 | |
147 | 1955-61 | |
134 | 1982-85, 1989-97 | |
130 | 1988-93 | |
113 | 2007-11 | |
102 | 1967-72 | |
85 | 1997-00, 2005-08 | |
85 | 1978-85 | |
83 | 2021-ongoing | |
71 | 1987-89 | |
60 | 2013-16 |
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