Spectacular win gives Lazio a third place finish
By winning in Milan in the final match of the season, Lazio secures third place position
Also on this day: June 3, 1923, Lazio Libertas Palermo 10-2. Lazio score ten but game never competitive as Sicilians take field in ten and are soon reduced to nine. Player of the day: Spartaco Orazi I
The season so far
After the disastrous 1954-55 season, Lazio realised that they had to do more as far as transfers were concerned. So for the current campionato Lazio spent a lot of money. In came forwards Arne Selmosson and Lorenzo Bettini from Udinese plus Ermes Muccinelli from Juventus, defenders Giovanni Molino (Torino) and Nicola Lo Buono (Trani). Roberto Lovati and Franco Carradori returned from their loan spells at Torino and Palermo. Leaving Lazio were legends Aldo Puccinelli and Romolo Alzani as well as Per Bredesen, Vittorio Bergamo and Renato Spurio. Carlo Parola left active football but stayed as assistant to manager Luigi Ferrero.
The beginning of the season had been terrible. At the end of the first half Lazio were 13th, just two points above the relegation zone. Ferrero had been sacked, as well as Technical Director Roberto Copernico, and in came Jesse Carver who had managed Juventus, Torino and Roma. Things went decisively better under the English manager and now Lazio had reached third place, shared with Inter. They had beaten Bologna, Inter and Napoli away from home plus Roma and Juventus at the Olimpico.
The interesting fact was that the game against Roma had been postponed due to snow, something that happens very rarely in the capital.
The last game was against Milan. The only side that could have an interest in the match were Lazio since they were joint third and wanted to keep this prestigious position. Milan were second but the scudetto had already been won by Fiorentina.
The match: Sunday June 3, 1956, Stadio San Siro, Milan
Milan left the stadium thoroughly booed by their fans. But the expectations had been high since this game was to be the last match played by legendary striker Gunnar Nordhal with Milan. And he did not disappoint, at least initially. In the 4th minute Nordhal headed in a cross from Nils Leidholm to make it 1-0 for Milan.
But Lazio scored two goals in three minutes. In the 7th Ermes Muccinelli, after a couple of one-twos with Franco Carradori, crossed into the box and Lorenzo Bettini equalised with a volley that suprised Santino Ciceri. Three minutes later Bettini tried a shot that beat the goalkeeper so Luigi Radice stopped the ball with his hand. Penalty that Carradori scored taking Lazio ahead. Milan disappeared. The clear superiority of Arne Selmosson and Ermes Muccinelli up front sent the Rossoneri defence into a crisis they could not come out of. Muccinelli scored Lazio’s third in the 63rd minute. Selmosson and Bettin went off on a counter attack, Radice and Francesco Zagatti clashed, the Biancocelesti forwards found themselves alone in front of the keeper, ball to Muccinelli for the 3-1.
Thanks to this win, Lazio consolidated their third place.
Who played for Milan
Ciceri, Maldini, Zagatti, Liedholm, Pedroni, Radice, Bagnoli, Carminati, Nordahl, Ricagni, Dal Monte
Manager: Puricelli
Who played for Lazio
Lovati, Molino, Lo Buono, Sassi II, Giovanini, Villa, Muccinelli, Carradori, Bettini, Sentimenti V, Selmosson
Manager: Carver
Referee: Bonetto
Goals: 5’ Nordahl, 7’ Bettini, 10’ Carradori (pen), 63’ Muccinelli
What happened next
An excellent season for Lazio who managed to set the sail straight after a difficult beginning. Selmosson was the player with most appearances (34) and the leading goal scorer together with Muccinelli (10).
Lazio 1955-56
Competition | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals scored |
Serie A | 34 | 14 | 11 | 9 | 54 |
Top five appearances
Player | Serie A |
Selmosson | 34 |
Bettini | 32 |
Lovati | 32 |
Molino | 32 |
Muccinelli | 32 |
Top five goal scorers
Player | Serie A |
Bettini | 12 |
Selmosson | 10 |
Muccinelli | 10 |
Burini | 7 |
Vivolo | 5 |
Let's talk about Franco Carradori
Franco Carradori was born in Rome on April 24 1934. He started his career in the Lazio youth teams and in 1954 was loaned to Palermo in Serie B where he did quite well appearing in 28 games and scoring three goals.
In 1955 he was back at Lazio. With the Biancocelesti he played six seasons. He was a very good midfielder, excellent technique and fast. He was able to cover the entire midfield thanks to continuous movement and was a specialist at throw ins. With Lazio he won a Coppa Italia in 1958 and played 147 games in Serie A (9 goals) and 16 in Coppa Italia (3 goals). He also won two reserves championships in 1952-53 and 1955-56.
In 1961 he signed for Brescia in Serie B and a year later was at Formia. He ended his career in 1964 at Trani.
He later went to be manager for Lazio youth teams and quite a number of teams in minor leagues.
He died in Rome on August 26, 2004.
Lazio career
Season | Total appearances (goals) | Serie A | Coppa Italia | Italo French Friendship Cup |
1955-56 | 10 (1) | 10 (1) | - | |
1956-57 | 21 (1) | 21 (1) | - | |
1957-58 | 31 (1) | 25 (1) | 6 | |
1958-59 | 36 (3) | 32 (3) | 4 | |
1959-60 | 29 (4) | 27 (2) | 1 (1) | 1 (1) |
1960-61 | 37 (3) | 32 (1) | 5 (2) | |
Total | 164 (13) | 147 (9) | 16 (3) | 1 (1) |
Sources
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