Game 18, Serie A
Sunday, January 1, 1950
Stadio Nazionale, Rome
Lazio Pro Patria 1-0
A bland affair decided by an inspired Cecconi winner despite some infuriating refereeing decisions.
This season had not started particularly well with Lazio losing three out of the first five matches. Then, however, they won the derby 3-1 and the week before today's game had drawn 2-2 away at Torino. They were currently on 18 points (6 wins, 6 draws and 5 defeats).
A sunny New Year's Day welcomed Lazio back to action in front of a 15,000 crowd.
Lazio took a while to get going after the festivities and the early stages were bland attacks by the Biancocelesti, well controlled by the visitors' defence. The game soon became a question of attack against defence.
Lazio seemed to lack urgency and the match was not spectacular by any means. They continued on the attack however and after 22 minutes came the first controversial episode.
Flavio Cecconi pushed forward on the left wing when he was fouled dirtily from behind, however he managed to stay on his feet (another era) and get a shot in which beat Uboldi. The referee, obviously unaware of the advantage rule, inexplicably disallowed the goal and awarded Lazio a freekick. Cecconi took it and after hitting the wall the ball fell to Romanian Norberto Hofling who then hit the post. Here the referee Viginio Canavesio again made another bizarre decision awarding Pro Patria a freekick for no apparent reason; so, had the ball gone in it would have been in vain anyway. The Lombards though soon lost possession again and Lazio gained another free kick. This time there was no doubt or controversy as Cecconi slammed the ball past Angelo Uboldi. At half time it was Lazio 1 Pro Patria 0.
The second half followed more or less the same pattern. Lazio attacked and had more chances especially with the outstanding Cecconi. The visitors' keeper denied him a brace at least four times. Pro Patria rarely got out of their own half and only had one real shot at goal; a long-range free kick by Jeno Vinyei easily saved by Lucidio Sentimenti IV.
The game ended up 1-0 to Lazio. Not really a fair reflection of their superiority but the Pro Patria back line played well with keeper Uboldi and Antonio Azimonti, Alfonso Borra and Pietro Pozzi. For Lazio the star performer was by far Cecconi.
Who played for Lazio
Sentimenti IV, Antonazzi, Spurio, Furiassi, Alzani, Sentimenti III, Puccinelli, Magrini, Hofling, Cecconi, Nyers II
Manager: Sperone
Who played for Pro Patria
Uboldi, Azimonti, Fossati, Viney, Borra, Pozzi, Guarnieri, Turconi, Pernigo, Barsanti, Turbeky
Manager: Meazza
Referee: Canavesio
Goal: 23' Cecconi
Sources
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