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Writer's pictureDag Jenkins

Zemanlandia starts well

Pre-Season Friendly

Friday, August 19, 1994


Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Lazio Deportivo La Coruña 3-1


A good win against strong opposition give Lazio hope for forthcoming season


Source Lazio Wiki

So far, this summer Lazio in their two more competitive friendlies had very recently drawn 0-0 against Torino (then won 5-4 on penalties) and beaten Everton 4-0.


The match


A decent crowd of 25,000 turned up for new manager Zdenek Zeman's debut at the Olimpico.


The "Gallegos" were still without World Champions Bebeto and Mauro Silva plus Julio Salinas. Lazio, meanwhile, played World Cup runner-up Beppe Signori but Paul Gascoigne was still injured while a young Alessandro Nesta was on the bench.


The opening stages were balanced and played mainly in midfield. Lazio however were already showing glimpses of the Bohemian's classic style of play, a 4-3-3 with the high defence, attacking full-backs and lively wingers trying to open the Spaniard's back line with cutting low balls.


The new tactics finally paid off just after the half hour. In the 34th minute Roberto Cravero sliced the "Coruñes" defence open with a long vertical through ball which Beppe Signori ran onto, controlled perfectly and hammered in a low left foot. Lazio 1 Deportivo La Coruña 0.


The fans reacted by celebrating 'Beppe-gol' but also by denigrating Italy coach Arrigo Sacchi who had played the Lazio striker out of position, if at all, in the recent USA 94 'World Cup.


Lazio's high tempo attacks made up of a myriad of one touches and sudden attacking forays seemed to be taking off and seven minutes later the Biancocelesti scored again. In the 41st minute it was José Antonio Chamot who teed up Pierluigi Casiraghi and Gigi, also known as Tyson, beat Juan Canales. Lazio 2 Deportivo La Coruña 0.


The fans were impressed and enthusiastic at the sight of Lazio's attacking qualities. Lazio went off for halftime to the sound of warm applause and 2-0 up.


For the second half both sides made changes. Lazio brought on Roberto Bacci, Dario Marcolin and Alen Boksic for Cravero, Diego Fuser and Casiraghi. The Spaniards threw on Francisco Liaño, Voro, Nando and Alfredo for Canales, Paco, Francisco Villarroya and Adolfo Aldana.


In the second half after only eight minutes came a game changer. Luca Marchegiani, the Lazio keeper, was sent off for a last man foul on Fran so Roberto Rambaudi was replaced by reserve keeper Fernando Orsi.


"Superdépor" immediately took advantage and pulled a goal back in the 56th minute. A hesitant Orsi was punished by Fran who picked up a rebound to put the visitors back in the game.


From this point onwards "Dépor" attacked more but the game remained an even contest. The "Herculinos" (after famous Hercules Tower) had more territorial control but Lazio were always dangerous on the break.


More substitutions followed, one worthy of note was Signori going off after 77 minutes and replaced by Ivano Della Morte.


Three minutes from time Lazio wrapped up the game. An Alen Boksic shot was clearly handballed in the area by Nando (who was sent off) and Dario Marcolin slotted in the penalty. Lazio 3 Deportivo La Coruña 1.


There was still time for one more substitution as in the 89th minute young homegrown talent (and future legend) Alessandro Nesta came on for Beppe Favalli.


So, a good 3-1 win for Lazio against a weakened but top-level Spanish opposition. Lazio had shown good attacking movements although Zeman declared to be only moderately satisfied, claiming there was still a lot of work to be done on speed.


Who played for Lazio


Substitutes: Adani

Manager: Zeman


Who played for Deportivo La Coruña


Canales (46' Liano), Paco (46' Voro), Villarroya (46' Nando), Ribera, Djukic, Donato, Lopez Rekarte, Aldana (46' Alfredo), José Ramon, Fran, Manjarin (60' Pedro Riesco)

Manager: Iglesias


Referee: Nicchi


Goals: 34' Signori, 41' Casiraghi, 56' Fran, 87' Marcolin (pen)


Sources



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