Appetite for destruction

Updated: Nov 14

1999-00 Season

Game 13, Serie A

Sunday December 12, 1999

Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Lazio Fiorentina 2-0

The Biancocelesti scored two but it could have been many many more

In Campionato the Biancocelesti were top with Roma and Juventus. They had been solitary leaders but a dismal loss in the derby and a draw with the Bianconeri had allowed the other two teams to catch them. A win today would be very important.

The match

Giovanni Trapattoni had organised Fiorentina like a little fort waiting to be attacked. His plan was to build a wall so that Lazio could not score. It did not work. Francesco Toldo started with a few miracles in the beginning of the game but after just 15 minutes capitulated. Juan Sebastian Veron just over the half way line gave a fantastic ball to Alen Boksic in the box on the left who beat Tomas Repka and sent a missile towards the Viola goalkeeper which was impossible to save. In the 21st minute a similar play this time by Roberto Mancini for Dejan Stankovic who from the right put the ball just wide. As the fans were celebrating Beppe Signori’s goal against Roma, a Jorg Henirch header allowed Luca Marchegiani to make his first, and only, difficult save of the day. Stankovic in the 37th minute had another chance but Toldo parried. Towards the end of the first half Guerino Gottardi gave a perfect ball to Mancini who shot at the goalkeeper.

In the 49th minute Mancini had another chance with a header but again Toldo saved. Boksic, all alone in front of the Fiorentina goalkeeper in the 59th minute, shot wide, before Lazio managed to make it two. In the 71st minute Sinisa Mihajlovic took a corner, the Viola defence cleared, the Serbian ran towards the ball and volleyed in a cross that Stankovic headed past Toldo. Lazio 2 Fiorentina 0 and game over.

Who played for Lazio

Marchegiani, Gottardi, Nesta, Mihajlovic, Favalli, Stankovic, Veron (57’ Simeone), Sensini, Nedved, Boksic (86’ Lombardo), Mancini (76’ Inzaghi)