Lazio score 7 all in second half
After a balanced and goalless first half everything changes in the second with Foggia in ten men
Also on this day: January 15, 1989, Lazio Roma 1-0. Di Canio gives underdogs Lazio fantastic derby glory and a whole generation a new ecstatic experience, a victory over hated city rivals. Lazio Hero of the day: Paolo Di Canio
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 as President.
The Bohemian brought Argentinian 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 in Serie A Lazio had played 15 matches. The Biancocelesti won 7, drew 4 and lost 4. Some great victories Napoli 5-1, Torino 3-0, Padova 5-1, Inter 2-0 away but also some bruising defeats Roma 0-3, Sampdoria 1-3. Lazio were capable of anything, in the good and the bad. They were currently in 5th position on 25 points (this was the first season with three points per victory).
Their Coppa Italia campaign had started in August with a 9-1 aggregate destruction of Modena. Lazio then knocked out Piacenza 6-4 on aggregate, Napoli 3-1 on aggregate and would play Juventus in March /April in the semi-final.
In the UEFA Cup Lazio had got through three rounds: Dinamo Minsk 4-1, Trelleborg 1-0 and Trabzonspor 4-2. The Biancocelesti would now play Borussia Dortmund in the quarterfinals in February /March.
Foggia had finished 9th under Zdenek Zeman the previous season. The "Satanelli" had won 10 (including Lazio 4-1 at home), drawn 13 (including Lazio 0-0 in Rome) and lost 11.
This year the new manager was Enrico Catuzzi. The Rossoneri had signed some new players: defenders Pasquale Padalino (Lecce-back from loan), Aniello Parisi (Avellino), midfielders Mauro Bressan (Como), Oberdan Biagioni (Udinese) and forward Massimo Marazzina (Inter).
Leaving with Zeman were: keeper Mauro Bacchin (Casarano), defender José Antonio Chamot (Lazio), midfielders Andrea Seno (Inter), Giovanni Stroppa (Milan) and Dutch forward Bryan Roy (Nottingham Forest).
So far in Serie A the "Diavoli del Sud" had won 5 (including Juventus 2-0 at home), drawn 6 (including Inter 0-0 at home and Roma 1-1 away) and lost 4. The Rossoneri were therefore on 21 points, in mid-table.
In Coppa Italia Foggia were in the semi-final, to be played in March/April against Parma. They had eliminated Como 7-0, Torino 4-2 and Inter 2-1, all on aggregate.
Today's game was expected to be entertaining, a clash between Zeman's past and present.
The match: Sunday, January 15, 1995, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
A crowd of 45,000 turned up on a freezing, for Rome anyway, January afternoon. Many of the players wore gloves.
The first chance of the game was for the visitors. On a Massimiliano Cappellini freekick from the left, Paolo Mandelli got a header in but it was too central and caught low by Luca Marchegiani.
Lazio answered with Roberto Di Matteo winning a challenge in midfield and after a one-two with Alen Boksic he burst into the area but his right foot went just wide.
In the 29th minute Lazio were forced to make a change when Beppe Favalli went off injured and was replaced by a young Alessandro Nesta.
The game was balanced without many clear chances. On the half hour Gigi Di Biagio sent a high through ball over the Lazio defence to Mandelli but Marchegiani rushed off his line and out of the area, heading the ball to safety.
Marchegiani was quick off the mark again a few minutes later when a terrible ball by Diego Fuser in midfield was intercepted by Mandelli who raced undisturbed towards the area but again the "Count" raced out and kicked the ball away.
In the 38th minute came a major game changer. Boksic and Giordano Caini ran shoulder to shoulder down the right wing and seemed to be reciprocally pushing and shoving each other before they both collapsed near the corner flag, with the Croat slightly in front by then. The referee decided it was Caini to blame and he received his second yellow of the afternoon and was sent for an early shower. A bit harsh, but Foggia down to ten men for the next 52 minutes. Foggia immediately took off a forward, Cappellini and put on a defender, Giuseppe Di Bari. Half time Lazio 0 Foggia 0.
An evenly matched first half but the red card would theoretically change the cards on the table for the second half. Few however would have predicted just how much.
After three minutes of the second period Lazio had a central freekick at the edge of the box. Beppe Signori rolled the ball slightly to Fuser who took a crack, the Foggia keeper saved but it spun up in the air near the goal line and Boksic was there to nod it in. Lazio 1 Foggia 0.
In the 52nd minute Lazio made it two. Aron Winter to Fuser on the right, a precise high cross over Pasquale Padalino and Boksic headed in his second of the afternoon. Lazio 2 Foggia 0.
Foggia, to be fair, did not give up. They forced a couple of corners and scrambles in Lazio's area and then pulled a goal back. In the 61st minute Di Biagio found Pier Luigi Nicoli on the right side of the box, his attempt to square the ball was blocked but from the ground he tried again and found Mandelli whose first-time low strike beat Marchegiani. Lazio 2 Foggia 1.
Game on again despite numerical difference? Only for three minutes as in the 64th minute Lazio scored again. Fuser again surged down the right wing and put in an absolutely perfectly measured low cross into the middle which Signori only had to touch from close range to make it 3-1 against his former team.
At this point Foggia finally seemed to crumble psychologically and Lazio started to queue up to score. Boksic crossed from the left to Roberto Rambaudi inside the area but his shot hit a defender near the line with the keeper beaten. Then Nesta teed up Signori who tried to go around Mancini but the keeper managed to dive and get a foot to the ball. A few minutes later Signori was a bit selfish when he shot instead of passing to Gigi Casiraghi and his shot was walled by a defender. Casiraghi had replaced Rambaudi in the 77th minute.
In the last ten minutes the flood gates opened and Lazio scored four more goals.
In the 83rd minute a brilliant through ball by Roberto Cravero from inside his own half put Casiraghi clear, he went round the keeper and walked the ball in. Lazio 4 Foggia 1.
In the 85th minute Signori got his brace. Paolo Negro on the right wing chipped a precise cross into the middle where "Beppe-Gol" had no problem heading it in from close range. Lazio 5 Foggia 1.
In the 88th minute Boksic got his hat-trick. A clever one-two between Winter and Fuser sent the Italian down the right side of the area where he slotted a perfect low cross in to Boksic for a tap in. Lazio 6 Foggia 1.
There was still time for one more in the 90th minute and a deserved one for the scorer. Fuser ran into the area on the right, dribbled a defender and beat Mancini on the near post with a powerful strike. Lazio 7 Foggia 1 and final score.
A deceiving result really. The game had been a contest until Foggia were in eleven but then changed completely. The "Satanelli" had put up a fight for over an hour but then had collapsed allowing Lazio to bury them in goals. Credit to Lazio for scoring so many but the score line was somewhat flattering considering the first half and the debatable sending off.
Lazio fans were not complaining however after an entertaining and satisfying afternoon. Lazio up to third overtaking Roma who had lost 3-0 to Juventus, what more to ask for on a cold January afternoon?
Who played for Lazio
Marchegiani, Negro, Favalli (29' Nesta), Di Matteo, Cravero, Chamot, Rambaudi (77' Casiraghi), Fuser, Boksic, Winter, Signori
Manager: Zeman
Who played for Foggia
F. Mancini, Padalino, Bucaro, Nicoli, Di Biagio, Caini, Bresciani, Bressan (80' Biagioni), Cappellini (41' Di Bari), De Vincenzo, Mandelli
Substitutes: Brunner, Sciacca, Parisi
Manager: Catuzzi
Referee: Beschin
Goals: 48' Boksic, 52' Boksic, 61' Mandelli, 64' Signori, 83' Casiraghi, 85' Signori, 88' Boksic, 90' Fuser
Red card: 38' Caini
What happened next
Lazio had a positive season and came second behind champions Juventus. They never really challenged for the scudetto (10 points behind) but runners up was still a prestigious position (although only the league winners still qualified for champions league).
A week later Lazio won 1-0 away at Brescia but then lost the next two (Bari 1-2 at home and Torino 0-2 away). They then won 10 out of the last 15 matches (including Milan 4-0, Fiorentina 8-2, Genoa 4-0, Roma 2-0, Inter 4-1, all at home and Juventus 3-0 away).
In the end the Biancocelesti won 19, drew 6 and lost 7, finishing on 63 points. They had the best attack with 69 goals and the best goal difference +35. Top scorer was Signori with 21 goals (17 in the league).
In the current UEFA Cup Lazio were somewhat unluckily knocked out by Borussia Dortmund in the quarter finals. Lazio were first clearly penalised by Hungarian referee Vágner's controversial decisions and then punished by former Lazio Karl-Heinz Riedle's last minute winner, giving the Westphalians a 2-1 aggregate victory.
In the Coppa Italia Lazio reached the semi-finals but were beaten by Juventus 1-3 on aggregate.
All in all, a promising first year for Zeman and entertainment guaranteed for Lazio fans.
Foggia beat Reggiana 1-0 at home a week later but today's collapse in Rome was a warning sign for Apulian devils. They ended up relegated, in 16th place. In the second half of the season, from January 29 to June 4, Foggia only earned 10 points. In the end they won 8, drew 10 and lost 16 (including Lazio 0-1). Top scorer was Pierpaolo Bresciani with 11 goals (7 in A).
In the Coppa Italia semi-final Foggia lost to Parma 2-4 on aggregate despite going ahead in both games.
The Scudetto as mentioned was won by Juventus for the 23rd time. Foggia went down with Brescia, Reggiana and Genoa.
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 Gigi Di Biagio
Luigi Di Biagio was born in Rome, on June 3, 1971. He has always been known as Gigi.
He started playing football as a kid with Lazio. He went through all the youth sector age groups and joined the first team in the 1988-89 season.
The manager was Giuseppe Materazzi and Di Biagio made his Serie A debut on June 11, 1989 in a 2-4 away defeat to Juventus. It would remain his one and only game for Lazio.
In 1989-90 he joined Monza in Serie B. He played 7 league games under Pierluigi Frosio but the Brianzoli were relegated.
In 1990-91 he played 12 league games and 1 in Coppa Italia. Monza finished 7th and won the Serie Coppa Italia. The manager was first Franco Varella and then Giovanni Trainini. One of his teammates was former Lazio Paolo Mandelli.
The 1991-92 season was his last in Brianza. The Biancorossi finished 2nd and won promotion to Serie B under Trainini. Di Biagio played 27 league games with 1 goal (Alessandria).
In 1992 he signed for Foggia in Serie A. The manager was Zdenek Zeman and these were still the Foggiani's best years. The Rossoneri finished 12th and Di Biagio played 30 league games with 5 goals (Genoa, Torino, Inter, Cagliari, Fiorentina) and 4 games in Coppa Italia. Foggia beat Parma, Lazio, Juventus and Fiorentina amongst others.
In 1993-94 Foggia finished 9th and Di Biagio played 28 league games with 3 goals (Inter home and away, Lazio) and 5 games in Coppa Italia with 1 goal (Triestina). Foggia's wins included a 4-1 home win over Lazio. His teammates included, former Lazio, Giovanni Stroppa and, future Lazio, José Antonio Chamot.
In 1994-95 Zeman left for Lazio but Di Biagio stayed one more year. The "Satanelli" were relegated under Enrico Catuzzi and Di Biagio played 29 league games with 4 goals (Sampdoria, Bari, Milan, Bari) and 6 games in Coppa Italia with 2 goals (Torino, Parma). Foggia reached the semi-finals of the domestic cup but lost to Parma 2-4 on aggregate.
In 1995-96 Di Biagio came back to Rome but joined Roma. He stayed four seasons. Roma finished 5th (UC), 12th, 4th (UC) and 5th (UC). His managers were Carlo Mazzone the first year, Carlos Bianchi and then Nils Liedholm the second and Zeman for the last two. Di Biagio played 114 league games with 15 goals (Cremonese, Inter, Cagliari, Verona, Atalanta, Lecce home and away, Napoli, Brescia x2, Milan x2, Salernitana, Venezia, Bari), 9 in Coppa Italia with 2 goals (Verona home and away) and 17 in the UEFA Cup with 1 goal (Atlético Madrid). In his time with Roma he played 10 derbies against his boyhood club Lazio, winning 1, drawing 4 and losing 5.
In 1999 he left Roma and joined Inter. He stayed four seasons. In the first under Marcello Lippi Inter finished 4th (in CL after playoff with Parma). They reached the final of Coppa Italia but lost 1-2 on aggregate to Lazio who won the double. Di Biagio played 29 league games with 1 goal (Lazio…in 2-2 draw) and 7 games in Coppa Italia.
In 2000-01 Lippi was sacked after one league game and Marco Tardelli took over. Inter finished 5th (UC). They lost the Italian Supercoppa final 3-4 to Lazio. Di Biagio played 32 league games with 4 goals (Napoli, Juventus, Milan, Bologna), 3 games in Coppa with 1 goal (Lecce) and 9 in Europe (1 CL + 8 UC). His teammates included, former Lazio, Christian Vieri and Vladimir Jugovic, future Lazio Cristian Brocchi plus past and future Marco Ballotta.
In 2001-02 Argentine Héctor Cúper arrived as manager. Inter threw away the Scudetto, in the last game of the season, losing 2-4 away to Lazio on the infamous May 5. Di Biagio played 31 league games with 3 goals (Lecce, Atalanta, Lazio), 2 games in Coppa Italia and 9 in the UEFA Cup with 1 goal (Braşov). Inter reached the semis in Europe but lost 2-3 on aggregate to Feyenoord. His teammates included former Lazio Sérgio Conceição.
The 2002-03 season would be his last with the Nerazzurri. Cuper stayed on and Inter finished 2nd (CL). They also arrived in the semi-final of the current competition but lost to city rivals Milan on away goals. Di Biagio played 25 league games with 4 goals (Piacenza x2, Parma, Como) and 16 in the Champions League with 3 goals (Sporting Lisbon, Bayer Leverkusen x2). He played alongside past Lazio connections Matías Almeyda, Hernan Crespo plus Vieri and Conceição.
In the summer of 2003, he joined Brescia in Serie A. The manager was Gianni De Biasi and the "Rondinelle" (The Little Swallows) finished 11th. Di Biagio played 31 games with 7 goals (Reggina, Parma, Empoli, Perugia, Lazio, Parma, Udinese). His teammates included, future Lazio, Francelino Matuzalem, Marius Stankevicius, Simone Del Nero and Antonio Filippini plus the great Roberto Baggio.
In 2004-05 De Biasi started but was then replaced by Antonio Cavasin. The Leonessa was relegated. Di Biagio played 34 league games with 9 goals (Parma, Brescia, Bologna, Parma, Siena, Atalanta, Palermo, Reggina, Messina) plus 2 games in Coppa Italia with 2 goals (Fiorentina home and away). His most prolific season yet but ending badly at team level. His teammates included Matias Almeyda and future Lazio Giuseppe Sculli.
The 2005-06 would be his last at Brescia. The Biancazzurri first under Rolando Maran (1-31) and then Zdenek Zeman (32-42) finished 10th. Di Biagio played 19 league games and 2 in Coppa Italia with 1 goal (Milan).
In January 2007 he signed for Ascoli in Serie B. The manager was Nedo Sonetti but the "Picchio" was relegated. Di Biagio played 7 league games with 2 goals.
He then called it a day and retired at 36.
Di Biagio had a good international career. He represented Italy at all the age group levels. He won 31 full Italy caps and scored 2 goals (Cameroon, Sweden). He played in the 1998 World Cup (unfortunately missing the decisive penalty in shootout with France in the last 16), the 2002 World Cup and in the 2000 European Championship (Italy again lost to France, this time in the final to a Trezeguet golden goal in extra-time).
After retiring he started a career as a manager. He started at youth level with local Roman clubs La Storta and Atletico Roma before taking on the Italy U20 job in 2011. In 2013 he was promoted to the U21's where he stayed six years, winning a European Championship bronze medal in 2017. In 2018 he was even Italy manager for two friendlies, between Gianpiero Ventura and Roberto Mancini's tenures.
In February 2020 he took over from Leonardo Semplici at SPAL in Serie A. He was unable to save the Estensi who were relegated. His assistant was former Lazio Massimo Mutarelli and his players included Lazio connections Sergio Floccari, Alessandro Murgia, Mohamed Fares and Etrit Berisha.
In August 2023 Di Biagio became manager of Dinamo Tirana in the Albanian top league but resigned in October.
In between jobs he has also worked in punditry for the main networks showing football.
Di Biagio was a midfielder. He usually had more defensive tasks but was also dangerous on free kicks and a good penalty taker. He could also be employed as a playmaker and even as a central defender. He had a powerful long range shot and despite his height (1.75) was good in the air. He was a tough player, as his 12 red cards and 100 yellow confirm. He played 391 games in Serie A with 58 goals. He was not lucky with trophies, only winning a promotion to Serie B with Monza.
At Lazio he was one that got away. After grooming him Lazio let him go and it would later be a regret especially seeing him go to rivals Roma. He was never hated as much as many Roma players however, maybe because of his roots, more of an errant child, or maybe for his affable, gentle character. It also helped that he never said a bad word against Lazio.
Lazio Career
Season | Serie A Appearances |
1988-89 | 1 |
Sources
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