Game 12, Serie A
Sunday, December 19, 1954
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio Napoli 2-1
Hansen and Bredesen goals overturn Castelli's opener
Lazio were so far having a worse season than the previous. After 11 games the Biancocelesti were currently bottom on 5 points. Lazio had won 2, drawn 1 (the derby 1-1) and lost 8.
Lazio desperately needed a win today.
So far, Napoli were in mid-table, joint 8th with Genoa on 11 points. The Partenopei had won 3, drawn 5 (including Juventus 1-1 away) and lost 3. Their most recent game was a 1-1 home draw against 3rd placed Fiorentina.
These were games Lazio had to win to start climbing the table.
The match
Nice sunny weather and the presence of Hollywood star Ava Gardner attracted about 50,000 spectators to the Olimpico. The actress, who was in Rome for work, presented the two captains with flowers on the field just before kick-off.
Lazio were without defender Francesco Antonazzi plus forwards Renzo Burini and Pasquale Vivolo, while Napoli had Hungarian defender Jenő Viney and forward Hasse Jeppson unavailable. On the other hand, Lazio had Danish striker John Hansen back from injury.
The first half was a slow-paced affair. Lazio attacked but at a pedestrian speed, definitely not enough to get through the tight Napoli defence.
In reality, the game had looked promising in the first five minutes or so, but then faded. Napoli had a good Celso Posio-Bruno Pesaola-Amedeo Amedei move finished off by Posio but Giuseppe Zibetti saved well and then Primo Sentimenti V cleared. Lazio answered with two shots by Norwegian Per Bredesen and Swede Sigvard Löfgren both saved by Ottavio Bugatti.
Then, as mentioned, the game went flat. Lazio's attacks were slow and predictable and Napoli's well organised defence prevailed.
In the 20th minute Napoli moved defender Giulio Castelli up front due to a light injury and moved midfielder Giovanni Ciccarelli further back.
Fortunately, in the last ten minutes the game livened up. For Lazio, in the 36th and 37th minutes, Hansen and Bredesen missed favourable chances while Napoli threatened with Giancarlo Vitali and Amadei, but defender Attilio Giovannini and keeper Zibetti were alert. In the 40th minute Hansen fired wide and then Napoli had a weak shot by Bruno Pesaola easily saved by Zibetti. Lazio were far more dangerous in the 43rd minute but Renzo Sassi's effort shaved the post. Halftime Lazio 0 Napoli 0.
A decent start, a monotonous half hour and an exciting last ten minutes which bode well for the second half.
Unfortunately, the second period started at snail pace again but the game suddenly changed in the 54th minute. Ciccarelli found Pesaola who teed up Castelli with a good low through ball, the Piedmontese controlled it and despite his injury took it forward a few paces and beat Zibetti from close range. Lazio 0 Napoli 1.
The goal, however, transformed Lazio who were now staring Serie B in the face. The Biancocelesti became quicker and sharper. Hansen blasted a shot wide in the 62nd minute but four minutes later Lazio equalised. In the 66th minute Bredesen surged down the left wing and crossed into the middle where Hansen got between defenders Giorgio Granata and Armando Tre Re and headed onto the post, the ball then came off Bugatti's arm and went in. Lazio 1 Napoli 1.
Not even two minutes later Lazio struck again. Hansen sent Bredesen charging down the right wing this time, the linesman put his flag up but the referee ignored it correctly judging the Norwegian onside, he then cut in and shot and Bugatti parried but with his second attempt, on the rebound, the midfielder made no mistake. Lazio 2 Napoli 1. A remarkable turnaround in the space of four minutes.
The remainder of the game was thrilling, no doubt to Ava Gardner's delight too.
Napoli attacked furiously. In the 70th minute Zibetti was superb on a Vitali strike. Giovannini in particular was brilliant in blocking several Neopolitan threats.
Lazio were always dangerous on the break with Alberto Fontanesi and Aldo Puccinelli.
Then in the last few minutes Lazio suddenly took control again trying to definitely close the contest. Fontanesi was denied by Bugatti and then defender Luciano Comaschi saved the day on another Fontanesi effort. Full time Lazio 2 Napoli 1.
Huge celebrations in the stands with the lazio fans lighting newspapers to make torches to great visual effect.
On the pitch it had been a strange game. Nondescript for long periods especially in the first half, but then with moments of end to end action. Ultimately an exciting and entertaining game. Hopefully Ava Gardner had enjoyed herself and been won over by soccer and Lazio in particular.
For Lazio it was a great and vital win as all their rivals had lost. They moved off the bottom slot and joined Pro Patria in joint 16th place on 7 points. They also showed they were not relegation material.
Napoli dropped to joint 11th, with Genoa and Triestina on 11 points.
Who played for Lazio
Zibetti, Di Veroli, Sentimenti V, Fuin, Giovannini, Sassi II, Bredesen, Löfgren, Fontanesi I, Hansen, Puccinelli
Manager: Raynor
Who played for Napoli
Bugatti, Comaschi, Tre Re, Castelli, Gramaglia, Granata, Vitali, Ciccarelli, Posio, Amadei, Pesaola
Manager: Monzeglio
Referee: Jonni
Goals: 54' Castelli, 66' Hansen, 68' Bredesen
Sources
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