Game 26, Serie B
Sunday, January 19, 1969
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio Modena 2-1
Lazio came from behind and beat Modena with a late winner to keep on track for promotion
Lazio were considered one of the favourites for promotion but the start had been slightly hesitant with 4 wins, 4 draws and 2 losses (Livorno and Ternana, both away). They had then picked up slightly and came into today's game on 19 points after 6 wins, 7 draws and still 2 defeats. The last 3 games however had all been draws. A win was needed to boost promotion hopes especially against struggling Modena.
The match
A crowd of about 22000 turned up on a freezing day with "tramontana" winds blowing.
Lazio had a few injury problems but were expected to beat the bottom of the table visitors.
The game started and it soon became clear Modena would be no pushovers. They were determined, well organised and had some talented players, in particular South-Americans Ruben Merighi and Jorge Toro. Lazio's game was further complicated by an injury to goalkeeper Rosario Di Vincenzo, who in the 20th minute had to be replaced by Pietro Fioravanti.
Lazio's first chance fell to Ferruccio Mazzola, after an assist by Giuseppe Massa, he had only the keeper to beat but he hesitated and lost the moment. In the 34th minute the "Gialloblu" from Emilia answered with a Braglia shot just wide.
In the 36th minute Lazio lost another player to injury. Carlo Soldo, who had been in doubt before the game, hobbled off with a muscular problem. The manager Lorenzo moved Nello Governato to centre-back and brought Giancarlo Morrone onto the field. Half time Lazio 0 Modena 0.
Lazio were finding it far more difficult than predicted to break down a well set out and fighting Modena team.
With the "Gaucho" Morrone leading the way, Lazio came out to the second half a lot more spirited. A Piero Cucchi assist put Gian Piero Ghio one to one with the keeper but his shot incredibly went wide.
Just when Lazio seemed to be in control and were pushing with more insistence, Modena scored. Sergio Codognato tried his luck from about 25 metres out and Fioravanti parried it with his fists into the middle of the area where Giovanni Console was the quickest to the ball, controlled it and scored.
"Una doccia fredda", as they say in Italy, for Lazio, literally a cold shower. Fortunately for the Biancocelesti the shock only lasted four minutes. In the 62nd minute Rino Marchesi fed Cucchi who put in a good cross which Massa headed over the keeper and into the net.
The equaliser galvanised Lazio who surged forward and had several clear chances. Santino Ciceri was suddenly constantly busy with several saves and then a Mario Facco header touched the top of the crossbar. Ghio was unlucky a couple of times and several scrambles saw Modena being let off.
Modena almost stole it themselves when a Toro corner landed on the crossbar. The decisive goal however came Lazio’s way, with only three minutes remaining. From a corner Giuliano Fortunato defended the ball well and played the ball back to Mazzola, who didn't think twice and hammered a mid-height shot past Ciceri. There was no time for Modena to come back, final score Lazio 2 Modena 1.
A hard fought but deserved win for Lazio. The Biancocelesti had shown character and had never given up believing they could get a winner. Despite injuries and falling behind they had carved out a victory.
A precious two points for Lazio who maintained their second place in the table behind leaders Brescia.
Who played for Lazio
Di Vincenzo (20' Fioravanti), Zanetti, Facco, Governato, Soldo (36' Morrone), Marchesi, Massa, Mazzola II, Fortunato, Ghio, Cucchi
Manager: Lovati
D.T: Lorenzo
Who played for Modena
Ciceri, Vellani, D.Landini, Codognato, Borsari, Barucco, Oltramari (69' Marcioni), Toro, Braglia, Merighi, Console
Substitutes: A. Colombo
Manager: Malagoli
Referee: Bianchi
Goals: 58' Console, 62' Massa, 87' Mazzola II
Sources
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