Lazio clinch Champions League place despite superb Baggio

Season 2002-03

Game 33, Serie A

Saturday, May 17, 2003

Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Lazio Brescia 3-1

Baggio scores and sets up other chances but Lazio roar back and conquer victory and elite European football for next year

The season had started well for Lazio. They had won all the first 7 away games (including Juventus) and in December were even briefly top of the table. In the new year however, they had slowed down and had 6 consecutive draws in Serie A (including the derby). They then beat Empoli 4-1 and had since won 3, drawn 3 (including Inter and Juventus) and lost 1. Lazio were currently in 4th position after 14 wins, 15 draws and 3 defeats.

This against Brescia was a key match for Lazio's Champions League ambitions. With two matches to go the table read 4) Lazio 57 5) Chievo 54 6) Parma 53 7) Udinese 50. The 4th place gave access to a preliminary CL round to get into the group stage. A win today would clinch it for Lazio.

The match

A massive 70,000 crowd turned up on a warm, sunny May day to cheer Lazio on to the Champions League.

There was a certain party atmosphere in the air. A full stadium, Champions League possibilities and also it was the Olympic Stadium's 50th birthday.

Lazio started strongly forcing several corners and Sinisa Mihajlovic went close with two free kicks, one just wide and the other well saved by Matteo Sereni. Brescia however were also dangerous with a Francelino Matuzalem shot blocked by Beppe Favalli. The Lombards had a good midfield, both muscular and technical with Stephen Appiah, Pepe Guardiola and Matuzalem and held their own.

In fact, in the 20th minute the "Rondinelle" (Little Swallows) took the lead. A through ball by Appiah went behind the Lazio defence and Roberto Baggio let the ball catch up with him inside the area on the right and then superbly lobbed the ball into the opposite corner. What happened next is something I have never witnessed at a Lazio game before, the majority of the crowd stood up and applauded in recognition of a good goal but mainly of a footballing genius. Lazio 0 Brescia 1.

Lazio reacted well and put continuous pressure on the visitors defence. Mihajlovic had another free kick saved by Sereni. In the 31st minute Lazio lost Simone Inzaghi to injury and he was replaced by Bernardo Corradi. The Senese immediately had a chance but his header went high.

In the 39th minute Lazio were awarded a penalty. Brescia defender Markus Schopp clumsily fell on Dejan Stankovic in an aerial challenge and Massimiliano Saccani pointed to the penalty spot. Mihajlovic stepped up and his powerful strike gave Sereni no chance. Lazio 1 Brescia 1.

Brescia, again with a Baggio invention, almost went straight back in front. The "Divin Codino" put Appiah one-on-one with the keeper but the "Cinghialone" (Wild Boar) Angelo Peruzzi narrowed the angle and saved into corner.

Just before halftime Lazio took the lead. In the 45th minute a Gilberto Martinez blunder let Claudio Lopez in on the right side of the area, El Piojo's perfect low cross set up the easiest of goals for César to make it Lazio 2 Brescia 1 at the break.

For the second half Mazzone made two substitutions: Fabio Bilica for Schopp and Antonio Filippini for Matuzalem.

The game continued to be balanced. Lazio had a potential goal of the season with Stankovic but his acrobatic scissor kick went just wide. Brescia then pushed harder for an equaliser and forced Lazio on the defensive. Their biggest chance came in the 75th minute. It was Baggio again who teed up Igli Tare in front of Peruzzi but "Angelone" used his body mass to block the Albanian's close range shot.

In the 81st minute Lazio could start dreaming of Champions League nights as they scored their third. "Cesaretto" César's low assist to Lopez, in the area on the left, was finely struck by the Argentinian and his powerful, low, left foot beat Sereni. Lazio 3 Brescia 1.

Lazio got the three points they needed to play with Europe's elite and the 70,000 could start the real party. Today's win combined with Chievo's draw with Roma meant Champions League!

Who played for Lazio

Peruzzi, Oddo, Stam, Mihajlovic, Favalli, Castroman (70' Fiore), Stankovic, Liverani (79' Giannichedda), César, S. Inzaghi (31' Corradi), C. Lopez