A fundamental win

Season 1959-60

Game 26, Serie A

Sunday, April 10, 1960

Stadio Flaminio, Rome

Lazio Palermo 2-1

Lazio manage to beat Palermo and keep Serie A survival hopes alive

The beginning of the season was promising but at the end of the first half of the season Lazio had 16 points, four above the relegation zone.

The beginning of the second half of the campionato was even worse with six consecutive losses. A win at home against Napoli and a draw away to Atalanta meant that before this game Lazio were 13th, one point clear of Palermo, Bari and Alessandria with Genoa last on 15.

The game against the Sicilians managed by Cestmir Vycpalek, Zdenek Zeman’s uncle, was a must win match.

The match

Neither team could afford to lose this game and Lazio started well. In the 1st minute Bruno Franzini passed to Orlando Rozzoni on the right who, after dribbling a Palermo defender, went into the penalty box and gave the ball an almighty whack. The woodwork saved Palermo. Six minutes later the powerful Lazio centre forward tried again but his shot was wide. He did not miss in the 16th minute. Maurillio Prini to Rozzoni who, just inside the penalty box, hammered the ball past Roberto Anzolin.

Palermo had a chance to equalise shortly after. Ricciotti Greatti to Gianni Sandri who had only Idilio Cei to beat but Francesco Janich managed to save the Biancocelesti thanks to a splendid defensive tackle. Prini’s free kick before half time was well saved by the Palermo goalkeeper.

In the second half, Palermo doubled their efforts and Lazio fell back to defend. As a consequence, the Sicilians managed to equalise in the 63rd minute. Sergio Carpanesi crossed, Greatti headed the ball high in the air and a wonderful bicycle kick from Julio Vernazza surprised Cei.

Lazio in total confusion, but Cei saved the Biancocelesti twice, first anticipating Sandri and then saving a Vernazza header.

The crowd got behind the team and Lazio started to play again. In the 76th minute a Franco Carradori shot was only just wide. Two minutes later Lazio scored. Mario Vignoli bicycle kicked the ball into the centre of the box, Oliviero Visentin managed to head it towards Franzini on the right, powerful shot, 2-1 for Lazio.

Oxygen and hope for the Biancocelesti.

Who played for Lazio

Cei, Molino, Lo Buono, Carradori, Janich, Prini, Visentin, Franzini, Rozzoni, Vignoli, Fumagalli