A great start to the New Year
A rare thrashing of Sacchi's Milan gives Lazio perfect start to 1997
Also on this day: January 5, 1992, Lazio Foggia 5-2. A highly entraining game sees Lazio sink the Foggia boat not without difficulty. Player of the day: Thomas Doll
The season so far
The previous season Lazio had finished 3rd (UEFA) under manager Zdeněk Zeman. The highlights were beating Juventus 4-0, Sampdoria 6-3, Atalanta 5-1, Cagliari 4-0, Fiorentina 4-0 and especially Roma 1-0, all at home. Top scorer was Beppe Signori with 26 goals (24 in A).
This year the Bohemian stayed on. The main new signings were South African defender Mark Fish (Orlando Pirates), midfielders Pavel Nedved (Sparta Prague) and Paul Okon (Club Bruges) plus forward Igor Protti (Bari), previous year's top Serie A scorer with Signori.
Leaving were defender Cristiano Bergodi (Padova), midfielders Roberto Di Matteo (Chelsea), Aron Winter (Inter) plus forwards Alen Boksic (Juventus) and Marco Di Vaio (Bari-on loan).
The Serie A campaign had started badly with two defeats (Bologna and Udinese) but then improved albeit without great consistency. The Biancocelesti had so far won 5, drawn 4 (including derby 0-0 and Inter 1-1 away) and lost 5. The Roman Eagles were on 19 points, in mid-table.
Lazio were also out of both cups, the Coppa Italia and the UEFA Cup. In the domestic competition Lazio had defeated Avellino 1-0 and Verona 2-1, both away but then fallen to Napoli 1-2 on aggregate in the quarter finals. In Europe, after getting revenge on Lens 2-1 on aggregate, Lazio were dumped out by Tenerife 4-5 on aggregate. The 5-3 defeat in Spain in particular, after coming back three times, was to bring up the first serious doubts in Zemanlandia in Rome.
Milan had won the Scudetto the previous season under Fabio Capello. The Rossoneri only lost three league games all season, with George Weah top scorer with 15 (11 in A). Lazio managed to conquer a good 0-0 draw in Milan.
This season Capello had left for Real Madrid to become Don Fabio. The new manager (officially T.D) was Uruguayan Óscar Tabarez but he had been sacked after 11 games and Arrigo Sacchi had returned. In fact, the start of the season had not been great with 4 defeats in the first 11 games, a 2-3 defeat at Piacenza had then been fatal for "El Maestro". Since Sacchi's return Milan had won the first two but then lost at home to Parma just before the Christmas break. The Rossoneri were on 21 points, two ahead of Lazio.
Things had not gone better in the Champions League. Milan were already out after two wins (Rosenborg 4-1 away, IFK Göteborg 4-2 at home), one draw (Porto 1-1 away) and three defeats (Porto 2-3, Rosenborg 1-2, at home and IFK Göteborg 1-2 away).
In Coppa Italia the Rossoneri had been eliminated in the quarters by Vicenza in November on away goals.
In August they had also lost the Italian Supercoppa final 1-2 at home to Fiorentina.
So, all in all definitely not a great season by the "Diavolo's" recent high standards.
A golden opportunity for Lazio to try and get a prestigious win.
The match: Sunday, January 5, 1997, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
A crowd of 40,000 turned up on this cold and humid January, Sunday evening.
Both sides had a long list of absences. Lazio were without striker Igor Protti, midfielder Paul Okon and, above all, defender Alessandro Nesta, while defender José Antonio Chamot was on the bench with some flu symptoms. Milan were even worse off and had to do without defenders Paolo Maldini, Billy Costacurta and Mauro Tassotti, midfielder Zvonimir Boban plus forwards George Weah and Marco Simone.
Luckily both sides still had enough quality players to guarantee a high-level spectacle.
The early stages were evenly balanced, but Lazio were far more direct, with two or three passes they were threatening while Milan's moves were far more laborious in their build up.
Roberto Baggio was lively but isolated up front, even he could not dribble his way through the entire Lazio defence. He also had a free kick opportunity from the edge of the box but his curling shot went over the bar.
As mentioned, Lazio with a few passes could create danger. From a defensive clearance Gigi Casiraghi found himself in front of Rossi but too far out and his first-time effort went well wide. It was however a warning sign for Milan.
In the 22nd minute Roberto Rambaudi headed forward from just outside his own area, the ball reached Diego Fuser, he found Casiraghi in midfield who then put a brilliant ball cutting through Milan's defence and Signori ran onto it, went round Rossi and from a slight angle scored. Lazio 1 Milan 0. Three passes from their area and Signori was one-on-one with the keeper.
Baggio continued his personal dribbling show but couldn't find Edgar Davids properly in the area. Then Casiraghi messed up in midfield losing possession and Davids put Dejan Savicevic in a goal scoring position just inside the area but his left foot went just wide.
Lazio again with one through ball had a huge chance. Signori was plain clear, but still outside the area, Rossi came off his line to the area's limit and Signori lobbed him, it was a good effort but the keeper's height (1.97 metres) enabled him to stretch and catch the ball.
Then it was Milan who threatened. A long ball from Franco Baresi was headed by Savicevic to Massimo Ambrosini just inside the area but his powerful left shot was parried by Luca Marchegiani.
Just before halftime, Lazio doubled their lead. In the 45th minute Rambaudi was given too much space on the break and he ran forward undisturbed before putting a cross over Michael Reizinger's head to Casiraghi, whose low volleyed scissor kick hit both posts and then went in. An amazing goal, if it had been scored by someone more fashionable it would have gone viral as they say. More importantly Lazio 2 Milan 0 at halftime.
There were no changes during the break, and early in the second half Milan predictably pushed forward. Davids had a long range shot comfortably saved by Marchegiani. Then Savicevic skilfully went through Lazio's defence but then pulled the ball wide with his wrong foot. One of Milan's problems seemed to be that Baggio and Savicevic played individually but rarely together.
In the 55th minute Lazio practically put the game to rest. On a corner from the left, Alessandro Grandoni on the near post headed the ball in past Rossi. Lazio 3 Milan 0.
Milan then gradually made several changes, in the 58th minute Christophe Dugarry and Jesper Blomqvist for Stefano Eranio and Davids and in the 67th minute Francesco Coco for Christian Panucci.
Milan attacked but still with solo efforts, Savicevic had a long range shot but it was predictable and central and caught by Marchegiani.
At this point, Lazio had acres of space on the counter attack. On a long ball from midfield Casiraghi chested it down and became the assist man for Rambaudi, teeing up the winger in front of goal, but Rossi parried well. Then Rambaudi went down the right and squared back to Fuser who fired towards goal, but Rossi saved into corner.
Lazio too then made some substitutions, in the 75th minute Signori came off for José Chamot and in the 82nd Giorgio Venturin replaced a positive Roberto Baronio.
Savicevic continued his solitary quest for a goal but again misfired with his right foot after gliding past Lazio’s defenders. Milan's last attempt for a consolation goal was with Dugarry but his high close-range shot was parried by Marchegiani and then put into corner by Beppe Favalli. Final score Lazio 3 Milan 0.
An excellent win for Lazio. The Biancocelesti had looked fitter, sharper and much more direct in their approach. Milan had the excuse of some important absences but their moves seemed either too slow and complex or too much down to individual initiatives. They had to find a better balance or at least get Baggio and Savicevic to pass the ball to each other.
Lazio leapfrogged Milan in the table and, more importantly for the fans, they also overtook Roma who had lost 1-3 to Inter. A good start to the New Year for Lazio who were now up to 8th.
Who played for Lazio
Marchegiani, Negro, Fish, Grandoni, Favalli, Fuser, Baronio (82' Venturin), Nedved, Rambaudi, Casiraghi, Signori (75' Chamot)
Manager: Zeman
Who played for Milan
Rossi, Reiziger, Desailly, Baresi, Panucci (67' Coco), Eranio (58' Dugarry), Albertini, Ambrosini, Davids (58' Blomqvist), Savicevic, Baggio
Substitutes: Pagotto, Vierchowod, Locatelli
Manager: Sacchi
Referee: Treossi
Goals: 22' Signori, 45' Casiraghi, 55' Grandoni
What happened next
Lazio finished 4th. Lazio in the next three matches, however, only got one point and Zeman was sacked on January 26, after a 1-2 home defeat to Bologna. Dino Zoff left his desk and returned as manager. Things improved and "Super Dino" won 9, drew 5 (including derby 1-1 and Inter, Milan and Juventus all 2-2 away) and lost 2. The derby was particularly dramatic as Lazio equalised in the 91st minute after trailing for 88 minutes. The 4th place finish qualified Lazio for the following year's UEFA Cup. Top scorer was Signori with 15 league goals. Things were about to change however as Sven-Goran Eriksson was on his way.
Milan continued to struggle and finished 11th. They lost 1-6 at home to Juventus and the derby 1-3 while the return match with Lazio ended in a 2-2 draw. Top scorer was Weah again with 16 goals (13 in A). A hugely disappointing season for Milan considering the quality of the squad (Maldini, Tassotti, Baresi, Costacurta, Davids, Desailly, Boban, Savicevic, Baggio and Weah just to name a few).
The Scudetto was won by Juventus for the 24th time. Serie B was calling for Cagliari, Perugia, Verona and Reggiana (the Emiliani have not been back since).
Lazio 1996-97
Season | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals scored |
Serie A | 34 | 15 | 10 | 9 | 54 |
Coppa Italia | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
UEFA Cup | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
Total | 42 | 19 | 12 | 11 | 64 |
Top five appearances
Players | Total | Serie A | Coppa Italia | UEFA Cup |
Marchegiani | 40 | 32 | 4 | 4 |
Signori | 39 | 32 | 4 | 3 |
Fuser | 38 | 31 | 3 | 4 |
Nedved | 38 | 32 | 3 | 3 |
Rambaudi | 36 | 28 | 4 | 4 |
Top five goal scorers
Players | Total | Serie A | Coppa Italia | UEFA Cup |
Signori | 15 | 15 | - | - |
Casiraghi | 11 | 8 | 2 | 1 |
Nedved | 10 | 7 | 1 | 2 |
Protti | 7 | 7 | - | - |
Fuser | 6 | 4 | - | 2 |
Let's talk about Alessandro Grandoni
Alessandro Grandoni was born in Terni, on July 27, 1977.
He came through his hometown side Ternana's youth sector and made his debut for the Rossoverdi in 1993.
The Umbri were in the 5th tier and finished 3rd. The following year the "Fere" came 2nd and were promoted to C2. In two seasons Grandoni played 52 league games with 1 goal.
In 1995 he joined Lazio. The manager was Zeman and Lazio finished 3rd. Grandoni faced stiff competition in defence with Nesta, Chamot, Negro, Favalli, Gottardi and Bergodi in the squad. Grandoni only played 4 league games. The highlights were beating Juventus 4-0 and Roma 1-0.
He played more the following season due to Nesta's injury. Zeman stayed but was then replaced by Dino Zoff in late January. Grandoni played 19 league games with 1 goal (Milan), 3 games in Coppa Italia and 2 in the UEFA Cup. Lazio finished 4th. The highlight was beating Milan 3-0 (with a Grandoni goal) while both derbies were draws (one with a 91st minute Protti equaliser).
In 1997-98 Sven-Goran Eriksson arrived at Lazio. Grandoni played 10 league games, 8 in Coppa Italia and 4 in the UEFA Cup. Lazio won a record breaking 4 derbies in one season and won silverware after 30 years, lifting the Coppa Italia. Lazio also reached the UEFA Cup final but ran out of steam and lost 0-3 to Inter in Paris. In Serie A the Biancocelesti finished 7th after challenging for the title until the beginning of April.
In 1998-99 with the arrivals of Sinisa Mihajlovic and Fernando Couto, Grandoni moved on. He joined Sampdoria. It was a difficult year for the Blucerchiati, they started with Luciano Spalletti (1-13) then continued with David Platt (14-19) and then Spalletti returned but the result was relegation. Grandoni played 31 league games, 4 in Coppa Italia and 6 in the Intertoto Cup.
In 1999-2000 he stayed in Liguria but only until January. The manager was Gian Piero Ventura and Grandoni only played 1 league game and 3 in Coppa Italia before moving on. For the record "La Samp" finished 5th.
In January 2000 he joined Torino on loan in Serie A. The manager was Emiliano Mondonico but Toro were relegated. Grandoni played 17 league games with 1 goal (Venezia). One of his teammates was former Lazio, Mauro Bonomi.
In the summer of 2000, he returned to Sampdoria. The manager was Luigi Cagni and Grandoni played 33 league games and 3 in Coppa Italia. The Blucerchiati finished 6th.
In 2001-02 Cagni was sacked after four games and replaced by Gianfranco Bellotto and Samp finished 10th. Grandoni played 34 league games and 6 in Coppa Italia. His teammates included former Lazio, Attilio Lombardo and Dario Marcolin plus future Lazio, Guglelmo Stendardo.
In 2002-03 Sampdoria finally got promoted under Walter Novellino. Grandoni played 37 league games and 7 in Coppa Italia. The squad included former Lazio, Maurizio Domizzi and future Lazio, Fabio Bazzani.
Back in Serie A in 2003-04 Grandoni only played 2 league games and 4 in Coppa Italia before leaving in January. For the record Sampdoria finished 8th.
In January 2004 he joined Modena in Serie A. The manager was first Alberto Malesani and then Gianfranco Bellotto but the "Canarini" (The Canaries) were relegated. Grandoni played 16 league games. His captain was past and future Lazio, keeper Marco Ballotta.
In the summer of 2004, he joined Livorno in Serie A. He stayed five full seasons, the first four in Serie A. The Amaranto finished 8th, 6th, 11th, 20th (relegated) and then 3rd in B (promoted). His managers included, Franco Colomba, Roberto Donadoni, Carlo Mazzone, Daniele Arrigoni, Fernando Orsi, Giancarlo Camolese and Leandro Acori. Grandoni played a total of 162 games (127 in A) with 1 goal (in A- Palermo). In his time in Leghorn, he played alongside Lazio connections; Igor Protti, Nikola Lazetić, César, Stefano Fiore, Giuliano Giannichedda, the Filippini brothers and Antonio Candreva.
In August 2009 after playing only one league game he left Livorno and joined Gallipoli on loan in Serie B. The Manager was first former Roma Giuseppe Giannini (1-30), then Giovanni De Pasquale (31-32) and finally Ezio Rossi. The Salentini were relegated and Grandoni played 30 league games. The Gialorossi then went bust and Grandoni went abroad.
In 2010 he went to Greece and joined Olympiakos Volos but came back to Italy in November without ever playing a game.
In January 2011 he was back home in Terni, with Sporting Terni in Serie D. He played 10 league games with 1 goal and the following season 29 league games with 4 goals and the amateur Coppa Italia.
At the end of the 2012 season, at 35, he retired.
At international level he played 19 games for the Italy U21's, winning the European Championship in 2000 as captain. He also played 4 games for the U23's and 3 games for the Olympic team in 2000.
After retiring he had a brief experience as futsal (5-a-side) manager with Massa Martina in C2.
He then went back to 11-a-side with Fiorentina youth sector for two years. Then in 2016-17 he coached Pisa's U19's. In November 2017 he became first team manager of Scandicci in Serie D and finished 15th, avoiding relegation in the playouts. In 2018-19 he was at Savona in Serie D and finished 3rd but then lost the semi-final playoff. From July 2019 to November, he was manager of Chieti in Serie D but won only 2 out of 12 league games. In 2020-21 he was manager of Albenga in Eccellenza (5th tier) and finished 4th, then losing in the playoffs.
Grandoni was a defender. He usually played as centre-back but could also play as full-back. He is 1.82 and 78 kilos. He was an agile, clean, defender quick over short distances and good in the air. He played 539 professional games and 227 in Serie A.
At Lazio he had three seasons, the 1996-97 being particularly good. He won five derbies in three seasons and never lost one. He also won a Coppa Italia, playing 8 games. He played 50 minutes in the return leg 3-1 triumph over Milan. Lazio's first silverware for 24 years, since the 1974 Scudetto.
Lazio Career
Season | Total appearances (goals) | Serie A | Coppa Italia | UEFA Cup |
1995-96 | 4 | 4 | - | - |
1996-97 | 24 (1) | 19 (1) | 3 | 2 |
1997-98 | 22 | 10 | 8 | 4 |
Total | 50 (1) | 33 (1) | 11 | 6 |
Sources
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