Game 29, Serie A
Sunday, May 31, 1931
Stadio del Littorio Foligno
Lazio Legnano 4-0
With the strong wind behind them Lazio score four goals after difficult first half
Lazio were currently in joint 10th position with Brescia. The Biancocelesti therefore were in a carefree mid-table situation. They were favourites today but should not underestimate the Lilacs' hunger for points.
The match
The match was being played in the neutral venue of Foligno, in Umbria, due to the troubles at the end of the derby a week earlier, with scuffles both on and off the pitch. Both Lazio and Roma had been banned from playing at home for one game.
The weather was good but very windy and there were about 3,000 spectators present, mainly from Rome.
The wind was a major factor. In the first half Lazio played against it and also seemed to suffer from the shorter length of the pitch compared to what they were used to.
The first half was balanced. Lazio attacked more but both sides had chances.
The Lilacs had the first shot with Giorgio Cidri but Ezio Sclavi saved. In the 5th minute Gino Lamon fired over the bar after a good combination with Mario Malatesta. The Lombards responded with an Tullio Aliatis effort but Sclavi was safe.
Lazio gradually gained control but did not keep the ball on the ground as the conditions dictated. Piero Pastore went extremely close when his low shot shaved the post but generally Lazio struggled to stamp their superior quality on the game.
Both sides had further chances, Giuseppe Baccilieri forced Sclavi into an excellent save and Aldo Spivach threatened for Lazio but the Legnano keeper got to it with the tip of his fingers. Half time Lazio 0 Legnano 0.
An evenly matched 45 minutes but the away side had adapted better to the small pitch and had played with the wind behind them. Things could change in the second half.
The second period started with Lazio looking far more determined. Malatesta was immediately dangerous with a header. In the 50th minute Lazio scored. A good cross from Lamon reached Pastore who anticipated the keeper and put the Biancocelesti in front. Lazio 1 Legnano 0.
Lazio were now dominant and in the 58th minute a Spivach long range strike was not far off. Lazio had a series of shots by Pastore and Joāo Fantoni I either just wide, over the bar or blocked by defenders.
Legnano then had a flying counterattack in the 67th minute but Sclavi came out brilliantly and dived low at Camillo Ferrė's feet to avoid the equaliser.
Six minutes later Lazio doubled their lead. It was a clever play by Malatesta who dummied on a Lamon cross and the ball reached Fantoni I who blasted the ball past Angelo Rotondi. Lazio 2 Legnano 0.
In the 79th minute Lazio were down to ten men. Pastore, on being denied a clear corner, went over the top with his protests and was given his marching orders.
By now however, Lazio were rampant and four minutes later scored again. Fantoni found himself with only the keeper to beat and did so with a surgical, low shot. Lazio 3 Legnano 0.
The wind in their faces must have felt like a hurricane by now for the hapless Lombards. Lazio had more chances with Malatesta and Spivach before, in the 86th minute, the striker from Friuli hammered in a mid-height shot from about 25 metres. Lazio 4 Legnano 0.
There was time for one more chance each, Sclavi saved well on Vittorio Rizzi and Spivach went close to getting a brace. Final score 4-0.
After some initial difficulties Lazio had put on a fine performance. Once Odoacre Pardini, Marino Furlani and Fantoni I came to life and with the wind behind them Lazio had swept away Legnano. The Lombards had their chances but had come up against an excellent Sclavi.
Who played for Lazio
Sclavi, Tognotti, Mattei II, Pardini, Furlani, Fantoni II, Spivach, Fantoni I, Pastore, Malatesta, Lamon I
Manager: Migliorini
Who played for Legnano
Rotondi, Canziani, Perduca, Severi, Bigogno, Gerola, Cidri, Aliatis, Ferrė, Baccilieri, Rizzi
Manager: Barbesino
Referee: Lenti
Goals: 50' Pastore, 73' Fantoni I, 83' Fantoni I, 86' Spivach
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