Game 38, Serie B
Sunday June 16, 1963
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio Pro Patria 2-0
Lazio beat Pro Patria and are back in Serie A
Lazio reached second place in the second half of March after four consecutive wins and had stayed in the promotion zone ever since.
There was one match to go. Messina were already promoted, the other two places were being fought out by Bari, second on 47 points, Lazio third with 46 points and Brescia, one point behind Lazio. The last three matches were Brescia-Padova, Cosenza-Bari and Lazio-Pro Patria. A win would mean Serie A.
The match
The day of reckoning had arrived. The Olimpico was packed in the hopeful wait for the return to elite football.
Lazio started very strongly. In the 2nd minute the Pro Patria goalkeeper had to dive in front of Paolo Bernasconi and got a fortuitous kick in the ribs. Two shots at goal by Nello Governato in the 13th and 14th minute tested Umberto Provasi but one could see that he was suffering. In the 25th minute Bernasconi for Mario Maraschi who crossed into the box, excellent opportunity for Giambattista Moschino who missed his chance for glory.
Three minutes later there was a corner for Lazio. Maraschi crossed into the box, Giancarlo Amadeo cleared, the ball was picked up by Graziano Landoni who found the gap and scored. 1-0 for Lazio. In the chaos, Provasi received another knock and that was it for him. Future Lazio Sports Director Carlo Regalia took his place (there were no substitutions at the time, not even in case of a goalkeeper injury).
Lazio put the game to sleep. Pro Patria were content with keeping the Biancocelesti as far from the goal as possible and the Laziali just passed the ball amongst each other. At the end of the first 45 minutes, Bari and Brescia were drawing, so Lazio were virtually promoted.
In the second half, Lazio put their foot on the accelerator looking for a second goal. Landoni had a chance in the 49th minute but hit the woodwork. The improvised goalkeeper then did well and elegantly dribbled Bernasconi avoiding Lazio’s double. But the goal came anyway. In the 69th minute Moschino to Giancarlo Morrone, the Argentinian’s shot hit the inside post and went in. 2-0 for Lazio and game over.
Lazio were finally back in Serie A.
Who played for Lazio
Cei, Zanetti, Garbuglia, Governato, Pagni, Gasperi, Maraschi, Landoni, Bernasconi, Morrone, Moschino
Manager: Lorenzo
Who played for Pro Patria
Provasi, Amadeo, Taglioretti, Crespi, Signorelli, Rondanini, Rovatti, Dappiano, Muzzio, Calloni, Regalia
Manager: Pedroni
Referee: De Marchi
Goals: 28’ Landoni, 69’ Morrone
Sources
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