Lazio thump Padova to end season well
Four first half goals, a referee mistake and an opponent's injury give the Biancocelesti one last satisfaction
Also on this day: June 11, 1972, Genoa Lazio 0-2. An inspired "Long John" and a goal by Gritti give Lazio 2-0 win and close in on promotion. Player of the day: RIno Gritti
The season so far
The previous season Lazio had finished 13th under Brazilian player-manager Amílcar. Their best results had been beating Juventus 2-1 away and Pro Patria 5-0 and Modena 9-1 at home. Top scorer was Anfilogino Guarisi, known as Filó, with 12 league goals.
This season the manager was Austrian Karl Stürmer. The main new signings were defender Armando Bertagni (Salernitana), midfielder Pietro Buscaglia (GC Vigevanesi), forwards Antonio Bisigato (Bari), Leonisio Fantoni III (Palestra Itália) and Piero Pastore (back after a year with Milan).
Leaving the capital were defender Orlando Tognotti (Terni), midfielders Amílcar (retiring), Mario Malatesta (Milan) and Aldo Spivach (Padova) plus forward Carlo Cevenini V (Pisa). So, some important players were saying farewell.
Lazio were currently in joint 8th position, on 30 points with Genova and Milan. The Biancocelesti had won 11, drawn 8 and lost 12. There had been some good wins; Ambrosiana-Inter 2-1 away, Roma 2-1, Alessandria 6-0, Juventus 1-0 and Milan 2-0 all at home. Lazio however were too inconsistent to fight for the higher positions. Top scorer so far was Joāo Fantoni I with 9 league goals.
Padova were newly promoted. The previous season the Biancoscudati had finished 2nd in Serie B, under Hungarian manager Lajos Kovács. Top scorer was Mario Perazzolo with 17 league goals.
This season the manager was another Hungarian János Vanicsek. The main new players were defender Giordano Corsi, midfielders Giovanni Battistoni (San Giovanni Lupatoto), Gioacchino Bettini (Castelmassa), Aldo Spivach (Lazio), forwards Federico Busini (back from Verona) and Mariano Tansini (Napoli).
Leaving were keeper Eraldo Bedendo (Napoli), midfielders Valerio Gravisi (Napoli), Giovanni Marchioro (Messina) and forward Giorgio Rossi (Ravenna).
Another Padova player, apart from Spivach (1928-32), who was former Lazio was defender Alfredo Foni (1929-31)
So far, the Patavini were in 13th position, on 26 points and 8 above the relegation zone. The Veneti had won 7 (including Milan 2-1 at home) drawn 12 (including Lazio 1-1) and lost 12. Top scorers were Gioacchino Bettini and Aldo Spivach with 9 league goals.
Today's game did not have much to say for the table, Lazio in mid-table and Padova safe with only three games to go.
The match: Sunday, June 11, 1933, Stadio PNF, Rome
It was a hot, sticky day in Rome and there were just under 10,000 spectators present.
Lazio were missing midfielders Octavio Fantoni II, Odoacre Pardini and José Castelli but the visitors were worse off and had to do without keeper Ugo Amoretti, midfielders Emilio Bergamini, Gioacchino Bettini and forward Aldo Spivach.
Lazio were attacking with the wind at their backs, but initially it was the Patavini who took the game to the Romans.
For the first ten minutes the Padovani were on top and almost scored in the 7th minute. Mario Perazzolo, who was particularly active, had a shot that went close after a misunderstanding between keeper and defender Armando Bertagni.
From the 10th minute onwards Lazio stirred and Antonio Bisigato, in the space of a few minutes, had three powerful shots that however were all slightly off target.
In the 19th minute Gino Ambrosio saved well on a "Filo" Guarisi effort. The first goal came three minutes later. Guarisi crossed, Ambrosio punched away but only as far as Bisigato who, unable to head it, scored with his hand. The referee's view was obstructed by Joāo Fantoni and he gave the goal. A clear injustice for Padova but Lazio in front, 1-0.
The wind in their favour and the visitors' understandable demoralisation following their unfair treatment led Lazio to continue to have control. The Biancocelesti had several chances but were either denied by Ambrosio or lacked precision.
The second goal however came in the 33rd minute. The Padova keeper made another save but Umberto Favaro was unable to clear properly and Filó scored. Lazio 2 Padova 0.
The Euganei's heads dropped and a minute later Lazio made it three. It was Filó again who struck on an Alejandro Demaria cross. Lazio 3 Padova 0.
In the 40th minute things got even worse for the visitors. Fantoni I went in hard on Giordano Corsi in midfield and the Biancoscudato player was carried off injured, the Brazilian got away with just a booking.
In the 43rd minute Fantoni I completed his destruction of Padova's hopes by scoring from the long range. Lazio 4 Padova 0.
Lazio then almost made it five but Filó was anticipated by Perazzolo just before shooting from a favourable position. Half time Lazio 4 Padova 0.
A deserved lead for Lazio but Padova justifiably felt a bit hard done by.
In the second half Padova could attack with the help of the strong wind but instead it was Lazio who continued to push forward.
Lazio were constantly in the Veneti's half, bar the occasional but innocuous counterattack by the visitors.
In the 54th minute Fantoni I blasted a shot towards goal but it came back off the post.
In the 65th minute Enzio Enrique Serafini brilliantly jiggled past three defenders but his shot was not of the same quality.
With about 20 minutes to go the away side shuffled things around up front, swapping Gastone Boni's position with Mariano Tansini, who became the centre-forward. The latter was a little more threatening but was well marked by Armando Del Debbio.
Padova however were determined to save their honour and get a consolation goal. They went close a few times as the rain started to come down. In the 72nd minute Ezio Sclavi saved well on a powerful long distance shot by Giovanni Battistoni. The Lazio keeper was then kept busy on a series of corners.
Lazio by now were active mainly on the break as in the 76th minute when Ambrosio denied De Maria.
Towards the end the game got a bit ugly and Fantoni I in particular was lucky not to get his marching orders. There were several scuffles, more than usual in an end of season game with nothing to say.
Padova went close again in the 84th minute when Pedro Rizzetti completely sliced the ball and risked an own goal. Lazio too had more efforts with Bisigato and De Maria but there were no more goals. Final score: Lazio 4 Padova 0.
A good win late in the season for Lazio. They had been the better team albeit favoured by the episode of the opening goal. Padova had been unlucky and the heavy defeat did not tell the full story of their trip to the capital.
Standout players were Filó for Lazio and Perazzolo for Padova.
Who played for Lazio
Sclavi, Bertagni, Del Debbio, Rizzetti (Pepe), Tonali, Serafini, Guarisi (Filó), Fantoni I, Bisigato, Gabriotti, Demaria
Manager: Stürmer
Who played for Padova
Ambrosio, Foni, Favero, Callegari, Battistoni, Corsi, Busini I, Perazzolo, Geremia, Boni, Tansini
Manager: Vanicsek
Referee: Gianni
Goals: 23' Bisigato, 34' Guarisi (Filó), 35' Guarisi (Filó), 43' Fantoni I
What happened next
Lazio then lost 1-4 at Bologna and drew 0-0 at home to Fiorentina. The Biancocelesti therefore finished 10th, on 33 points. Top scorer was Joāo Fantoni with 10 league goals. An average season for Lazio with too many ups and downs.
Padova then lost 0-1 away to Casale and in the last match of the season beat Torino 3-1. Top scorers were Spivach and Bettini with 9 league goals each. A decent campaign for the Euganei who had never really risked relegation.
The Scudetto was won by Juventus for the 5th time while saying farewell for now were Pro Patria and Bari.
Lazio 1932-33
Competition | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals scored |
Serie A | 34 | 12 | 9 | 13 | 42 |
Top appearances
Player | Appearances Serie A |
Serafini | 33 |
Sclavi | 31 |
Fantoni I | 30 |
Bertagni | 30 |
Top 5 goal scorers
Player | Goals Serie A |
Fantoni I | 10 |
Demaria | 7 |
Guarisi | 6 |
Bisigato | 6 |
Pastore | 5 |
Let's talk about Enzio Enrique Serafini
Enzio Enrique Serafini was born in Lasongas (Brazil) on August 1, 1904. In Brazil he was known as Henrique while later in Italy he was called Ezio Enrico.
He started his career with Palestra Itália in 1923. He played eight seasons for the Sāo Paulo club who later became Palmeiras. The "Verdāo" won two Paulista league titles, in 1926 and 1927. Serafini played 182 league games and scored 13 goals.
In 1931 he went to Europe and joined Lazio. In 1931-32 the player/manager was fellow Brazilian Amílcar and there were another seven compatriots in the squad (the two Fantoni's, Del Debbio, Rizzetti, Demaria, Castelli and Guarisi). These were the "Brasilazio" years. Lazio finished 13th; the highlight was beating Juventus 2-1 away. Serafini played 15 league games.
In 1932-33 the manager was Austrian Karl Stürmer and Lazio finished 10th. The best results were beating Roma 2-1, Juventus 1-0 and Milan 2-0 at home and Ambrosiana-Inter 1-0 away. Serafini played 33 league games and scored 1 goal (Fiorentina).
In 1933-34 Stürmer stayed on and Lazio finished 10th again. Lazio thrashed Milan 4-0 at home and drew a derby after being 0-3 down. Serafini played 26 league games.
The 1934-35 season was his last with Lazio. Walter Alt from Czechoslovakia took over as manager and Lazio finished 5th. Two of the Brazilian contingent left (Castelli and Rizzetti) and one tragically died (Octavio Fantoni II) but a prolific striker arrived, Silvio Piola. Lazio beat Juventus 5-3 and Ambrosiana-Inter 4-2 at home while both derbies were draws. Serafini played 22 league games.
In 1935 he returned to Brazil and to his former club Palestra Itália. He only played two league games and stayed one season. He then had a spell with Portuguesa (Sāo Paulo) before retiring.
He won 5 caps and scored 1 goal for Brazil between 1928 and 1931.
Serafini was a defender or midfielder. He was a versatile player and could cover various roles. He however played mainly as a defensive midfielder. At Lazio he stayed five seasons and was an integral part of the "Brasilazio" period. He played 95 league games for the Biancocelesti and scored one goal.
Enzio Enrique Serafini died on March 9, 1980.
Lazio Career
Season | Serie A Appearances (goals) |
1931-32 | 15 |
1932-33 | 33 (1) |
1933-34 | 26 |
1934-35 | 22 |
Total | 96 (1) |
Sources
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