Game 8, Serie A
Sunday, November 13, 1932
Stadio PNF, Rome
Lazio Pro Patria 2-1
Goals by Fantoni I and Fantoni II tame the visiting tigers
So far Lazio had 2 wins (Ambrosiana Inter 2-1 away and Roma 2-1), 2 draws (Palermo 1-1 and Bari 0-0, both at home) and 3 defeats (Napoli 1-3 away in the opener, Torino 2-4 away and Genova 1893 1-2 away). Lazio were on 6 points.
It was a cold and windy day in Rome and a crowd of 10,000 turned up.
Lazio played in their red second shirts, as hospitality dictated at the time.
The visitors started brightly with a couple of Conti shots off target. Lazio responded with efforts by Joāo Fantoni I and Antonio Bisigato but Gaetano Colombo the keeper was ready.
In the 4th minute Lazio went in front. The Biancocelesti were awarded a free kick for a push by Adolfo Dusi on Rato Castelli, Ottavio Fantoni II then took a blistering shot which beat Colombo. Lazio 1 Pro Patria 0.
Lazio insisted and the visitors were pegged back in their own half for long periods. In the 14th minute Pro Patria's defender Paolo Agosteo was forced off through injury but he then came back on eight minutes later and placed himself on the wing while Pio Mara went back in defence.
Lazio piled on the pressure and Colombo was busy, especially on a Castelli strike. Lazio keeper and captain Ezio Sclavi was finally called into action in the 28th minute when he rushed off his line and dived low at Natale Masera's feet to dispossess him.
Then it was Lazio again with efforts by lively Castelli, Bisigato who had a goal disallowed for offside and Alejandro Demaria just wide after a one-two with Castelli. Lazio ended the half on the attack but the score at halftime remained Lazio 1 Pro Patria 0.
A well-deserved lead for Lazio so far.
The second half started with Lazio on the front foot with Fantoni II having a powerful shot saved by Colombo. Lazio however were soon reduced to ten men when Marino Furlani took a knock to his liver and could not continue. Lazio reshuffled the team with Odoacre Pardini going to full-back and Fantoni I dropping deeper into midfield
With the extra man the Bustesi took courage and came out of their shell. Sclavi had to save from Masera and then superbly on an Agosteo header following a corner.
Lazio reacted with efforts by Filó Guarisi over the bar and a header by De Maria brilliantly saved by Colombo.
In the 59th minute Furlani was able to come back on. The game however was now more balanced and the Bustesi also had the strong wind behind them now. Sclavi was kept on his toes by the Tigrotti forwards, interrupted in the 61st minute by a Castelli shot off target.
In the 68th minute the Biancoblu's more positive approach paid off. An assist by Benedetto Stella was slotted in by Italo Rossi for the equaliser. Lazio 1 Pro Patria 1.
From this point the game could have gone either way. Colombo saved a dangerous Fantoni II shot, Rossi had a goal cancelled out for a clear offside and Stella had a cracking low effort saved well by Sclavi.
This last effort by the visitors came with ten minutes to go and Lazio then scored on the counterattack. Sclavi parried and Bisigato charged forward and despite being energetically challenged got the ball to Castelli who saw Fantoni running forward on the right, he got the pass just right and 'Ninão' beat Colombo. Lazio 2 Pro Patria 1.
The lead galvanised Lazio who could have made it three several times but were denied by Colombo. Then in the 89th minute it was Pro Patria who went close but following a free kick, Stella's header was kept out by a formidable Sclavi save. The last chance of the game was again for Lazio with Bisigato, but the Biancocelesti were more than pleased to hear the final whistle seconds later. Final score Lazio 2 Pro Patria 1.
Lazio won with merit against a battling Pro Patria, an important win for the Eagles to keep the relegation zone at a safe distance.
Who played for Lazio
Sclavi, Bertagni, Furlani, Serafini, Pardini, Fantoni II, Guarisi, Fantoni I, Bisigato, Castelli, Demaria
Manager: Stürmer
Who played for Pro Patria
Colombo, Agosteo, Monza II, Borsani, Dusi, Arnoldi, Conti, Rossi I, Masera, Stella, Mara
Manager: Conti
Referee: Mastellari
Goals: 4' Fantoni II, 68' Rossi, 81' Fantoni I
Sources
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