Game 15, Serie A
Thursday, January 1, 1948
Stadio Nazionale, Rome
Lazio Lucchese 1-0
An injured and limping Remondini scores the winner in an uneventful game
So far Lazio had played 14 games. The Biancocelesti were mid-table with 14 points. They had won 4, drawn 6 (including Juventus 1-1 away) and lost 4 (including Roma 0-1). The last 4 matches had all been draws.
Lazio were slight favourites today against a newly promoted side, but the Tuscans, despite some heavy defeats (Torino and Inter both 0-6), had already surprised a few teams.
A cold but sunny New Year's Day in Rome for this mid-table clash. A sparse crowd of 7,000 had dragged themselves out after the night's celebrations.
Lazio had several absences including defender Sergio Piacentini, midfielders Flavio Cecconi and Mario Magrini, plus forward Romano Penzo.
The game was an intense battle from the start. It was hard fought, lively and fast. What was missing were goal scoring opportunities. Both sides took it in turns to have periods of pressure but without creating dangers. Lucchese probably attacked more but Lazio’s defence looked confident and solid. The first half ended with the inevitable score line Lazio 0 Lucchese 0.
The second half followed the same pattern. In the 65th minute came an event which was to prove decisive for the encounter's final outcome but not in the way one would have thought. Twenty minutes into the half, Lazio defender Leandro Remondini got injured and not being able to hold down his defensive role was moved out to the wing.
In the 68th minute Costantino De Andreis burst down the right wing and reaching the by-line put a low cross into the middle. It crossed the goal area with neither defenders nor forwards managing to touch it and finally reached, who else, but hobbling Remondini. The defender, forgotten and unmarked, even had time to stop the ball to put it onto his good foot before hammering it in. Lazio 1 Lucchese 0.
Lucchese's reaction was sterile and Lazio’s defence continued to hold firm until the final whistle. Lazio 1 Lucchese 0.
An unspectacular game lacking in quality and decided by the most unlikely of matchwinners. The newspapers of the time wrote that the match had been won by the "zoppo" (the cripple).
Two important points for Lazio while Lucchese slipped nearer the relegation zone.
Who played for Lazio
Gradella, Remondini, Carton, Antonazzi, Alzani, Gualtieri, Ferri, Puccinelli, Brunetti, Flamini, De Andreis
Manager: Cargnelli
Who played for Lucchese
Vellutini, Giovannini, Bertuccelli, Mezzadri, Salar, Giannotti, Roffi, Miniati, Nichelini, Rossellini, Conti
Manager: Cappelli
Referee: Agnolin
Goals: 68' Remondini
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