Round of 16, Second Leg, Central European Cup
Sunday, June 27, 1937
Stadio PNF, Rome
Lazio Hungaria 3-2
Lazio go 3-0 up and then resist visitors fight back
It was time for the Central European Cup. A prestigious tournament which this year saw teams from seven nations take part: Italy, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Switzerland, Yugoslavia and Romania. This season 16 teams were participating including Italian champions Bologna and winners of the Coppa Italia, Genoa.
Lazio had already played one game. On June 13 they had drawn the away leg against Hungária MTK 1-1 (Silvio Piola, Cseh).
Today was the return match for a place in the quarter finals.
The match: Sunday, June 27, 1937, Stadio PNF, Rome
A 5.30 pm kick-off saw a big crowd gather in north Rome, about 35,000.
Lazio looked determined to wrap the game up early and attacked furiously. The Romans took the lead immediately. Silvio Piola received the ball just outside the area, slightly to the left of the semi-circle and he blasted a shot which went into the top hand corner on the far post. A magnificent goal which sent the crowd wild. Lazio 1 Hungaria 0.
The Magyars reacted and started to control the midfield. Luckily for Lazio the end product was not as efficient as the build-up, although Giacomo Blason did have to make a couple good saves.
Lazio were still dangerous on the break and in the 39th minute scored again. A prolonged move on the right was suddenly transferred to the middle where Piola was lurking unmarked, the Piedmontese striker took the ball forward and wrongfooted the keeper putting the ball in the opposite corner. The Hungarians appealed for an offside position but the referee, after consulting the linesman, gave the goal. Lazio 2 Hungaria 0 at half time.
In the second half, after four minutes, Lazio appeared to have closed the game. Giovanni Costa raced down the left wing, cut inside and sent an unstoppable low shot into the corner of the net. Lazio 3 Hungaria 0.
The game seemed over but the visitors reshuffled the attack moving Cseh to centre-forward, Heinrich Muller to the right and Istvan Kardos to the left and started to attack again.
In the 58th minute László Cseh picked up a through ball from Muller, swerved past a few defenders and hit a medium height shot past Blason. Lazio 3 Hungaria 1.
The game now became end to end with both teams having opportunities. It was the Hungarians however who scored again. In the 70th minute on a high ball into the area Blason jumped up but was beaten to it by Cseh and it went over the keeper and into the goal, despite a desperate attempt by Alfredo Monza to clear it before it went over the line. Lazio 3 Hungaria 2. What seemed like a formality for Lazio was now completely open.
In the last 20 minutes anything could have happened. Piola hit a post, Kardos shaved it, Umberto Busani missed a good opportunity and Blason then pulled off a miraculous save. The final whistle came, much to Lazio's relief. Lazio 3 Hungaria 2.
Lazio had been superior in the first half and the Magyars in the second. The visitors had an excellent midfield and a top striker in László Cseh and could well have drawn the game. Lazio started well but tired also probably due to the frequent recent train trips to and from the Balkans (13 June Budapest, June 21 Belgrade for a friendly) but held on for an important win against quality opposition.
Next up Grasshoppers from Switzerland in the quarter finals.
Who played for Lazio
Manager: Viola
Who played for Hungária
Szabo, Kiss, Biro, Sebes, Turay, Dudas, Sas, Cseh, Kardos, Muller, Titkos
Referee: Wuttrich (Switzerland)
Goals: 1' Piola, 39' Piola, 49' Costa, 58' Cseh, 70' Cseh
Sources
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