Game 35, Serie A
Sunday, May 23, 1948
Stadio Nazionale, Rome
Lazio Bologna 2-1
Lazio adapt better to muddy pitch and with goals by Penzo and Remondini sink the Felsinei
So far, Lazio were in mid-table after 11 wins, 11 draws and 12 defeats, on 33 points. The Bolognesi too were in mid-table tranquillity, so today's game was between two teams with not a lot to play for, apart from honour and a more respectable position in the table.
The match was played on a very heavy, muddy field due to abundant spring rain in the capital. In fact, it continued raining all through the game.
A crowd of 10,000 turned up for a match of little significance for the league table. Both sides had absences; Lazio were missing Salvador Gualtieri and Alessandro Ferri while Bologna were without Secondo Ricci, Bela Sárosi, Gino Cappello, Istvan Mike Mayer, Sauro Taiti and top scorer Mario Gritti.
As mentioned, the playing conditions were difficult and the game was far from entertaining. Lazio however played better and with more determination. The Biancocelesti seemed to want the win more than their Felsinei visitors, perhaps subdued by their weakened line-up and the atmospheric situation.
Lazio attacked constantly and finally got the breakthrough in the 37th minute. Their top scorer Romano Penzo struck with a powerful mid-range shot, beating Gino Vasirani. The move had been started by Leandro Remondini, continued by Aldo Puccinelli and finished by the forward from Chioggia. 1-0 at halftime.
In the second half the game slowed down. The long season and heavy pitch causing tired legs. It was still Lazio in the ascendancy however as they controlled the game with authority. It became scrappy as time went on, more due to players precarious balance than any intentional foul play. Lazio seemed to adapt better to the adverse playing field, especially up front where Penzo and Puccinelli were particularly dangerous.
In the 68th minute Penzo was pulled down three metres outside the area by Luigi Spadoni. Remondini took it and sent a thundering shot into the top right corner. 2-0 to Lazio.
At this point with a double lead Lazio relaxed and the Rossoblu came forward more often. Amedeo Biavati missed a sitter after an excellent move by Dino Ballacci, Alberto Bonaretti and Giuseppe Baiocchi. A few minutes later, Biavanti again had an effort well saved by Uber Gradella while two Bolognesi got stuck in the net trying to get a final touch.
The visitors got a late consolation goal in the 89th minute when the referee awarded a penalty for a Remondini handball. Bruso Arcari’s spotkick was weak but precise and beat Gradella, 2-1.
Bologna almost equalised a minute Lazio but Gradella pulled off a magnificent diving save to deny Baiocchi. Final score Lazio 2 Bologna 1.
A well deserved win for Lazio despite a late scare. They played with more passion, more as a team and interpreted the slow, heavy pitch with more intelligence. Stand out players were Remondini and Sergio Piacentini.
Who played for Lazio
Gradella, Remondini, Piacentini, Brunetti, Alzani, Del Pinto, Puccinelli, Magrini, Penzo I, Cecconi, De Andreis
Manager: Tognotti
Who played for Bologna
Vasirani, Giovannini, Spadoni, Cingolani, Marchi, Ballacci, Biavati, Arcari, Giorni, Bonaretti, Baiocchi
Manager: Lelovics
Referee: Donati
Goals: 37' Penzo, 68' Remondini, 89' Arcari (pen)
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