One goal advantage to take to Burgundy
A Gigi Casiraghi second half goal gives Lazio slim lead
Also on this day
March 3, 1991, Lazio Juventus 1-0. Forever the gentleman, Zoff jumped off his bench at the final whistle only to regain his composure within seconds, after a Riedle header had given him the satisfaction of beating his former team.
March 3, 1935, Bologna Lazio 1-2. Two goals in the first 20 minutes give Lazio a precious victory.
The season so far
The previous season had seen Dino Zoff take over from Zdenek Zeman in January and earn a 4th place finish. Giuseppe Signori's 15 goals had helped Lazio conquer a UEFA Cup place and make it a positive season.
This year however, there had been a big change. Lazio had a new manager in Swede Sven-Goran Eriksson, who arrived in the summer from Sampdoria.
There had been other major changes to the squad too. In had come goalkeeper Marco Ballotta (Reggiana), full back Giuseppe Pancaro (Cagliari), midfielders Matias Almeyda (Sevilla) and Vladimir Jugovic (Juventus) plus forwards Alen Boksic (back from Juventus) and Roberto Mancini (Sampdoria).
The players who left were South-African defender Mark Fish (Bolton), midfielders Roberto Baronio (on loan to Vicenza), and Alessandro Iannuzzi (Lecce) plus forwards Marco Di Vaio (Salernitana) and Igor Protti (Napoli-on loan).
Lazio's season in Serie A had started well with a 2-0 home win over Napoli on August 31. It had continued positively with a 1-1 away draw with Milan but then came a shock 0-1 defeat at Empoli (with a goal by future Lazio assistant manager Giovanni Martusciello). Lazio then had recovered and won 13 (including derby 3-1 in ten men), drawn 5 and lost 3. Lazio were unbeaten since December 12 and currently in 3rd place, six points behind leaders Juventus.
In Coppa Italia the Biancocelesti had passed the first obstacle by beating Fidelis Andria 6-2 on aggregate. Then came Napoli home and away in October-November and Lazio won 4-3 on aggregate. Next up came a two-legged derby in January which Lazio dominated 6-2 (4-1, 2-1). In the semi-final first leg Lazio on February 19 Lazio had beaten Juventus 1-0 away. The return leg was in Rome on March 11.
In the UEFA Cup Lazio had started in the round of 64 and comfortably won 6-1 on aggregate against Vitória Guimarāes. Then came the Russians Rotor who Lazio defeated 3-0. In the last 16, on November 25, Lazio had then won 2-0 in Vienna against Rapid with goals by Casiraghi and Mancini. Tonight was the first leg of the quarterfinals.
L'Association de la Jeunesse Auxerroise better known as Auxerre are from the French region of Burgundy. The AJA had finished 6th in the Ligue 1 under Guy Roux. The French coach had incredibly been there since 1961. They had then qualified for the UEFA Cup via the Intertoto Cup (beating Duisburg in the final 2-0 on aggregate).
In the UEFA Cup Auxerre had eliminated Deportivo La Coruña 2-1, OFI Crete 5-4 and Twente 3-0, all on aggregate.
Their main danger man was prolific goal scorer Stéphane Guivarc'h. Another player to look out for and who would later play in Italy was midfielder Sabri Lamouchi.
The match: Tuesday, March 3, 1998, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
About 30,000 fans turned up for this quarter final clash.
Lazio had more or less their strongest team out for this game.
The first half was very blocked. The French played with a very defensive 3-5-1 and Lazio, despite attacking for most of the half, had difficulty creating any major threats. The only excitement was a penalty appeal by Lazio at the end of the half for what appeared to be a clear foul by Diomede on Beppe Pancaro and a Giorgio Venturin shot parried by Lionel Charbonnier.
The AJA were quick on the break but Alessandro Nesta was superb in keeping Stéphane Guivarc'h quiet. The "Diplomats" had one chance but Bernard Diomede's lob went high. Half time 0-0.
In the second half Lazio pushed forward even more aggressively but a Roberto Mancini shot went wide and an Alen Boksic low effort was parried by Charbonnier.
In the 62nd minute Eriksson decided it was time to go for a more attacking line-up and put forward Gigi Casiraghi on for midfielder Giorgio Venturin.
The move paid off immediately as in the 63rd minute Casiraghi scored. Pavel Nedved crossed from the left, keeper Charbonnier and defender Franck Rabarinovy hesitated and Gigi "Tyson" Casiraghi volleyed in acrobatically near the far post. Lazio 1 Auxerre 0.
Lazio now hoped to build on their lead but their hopes were stunted almost immediately as in the 67th minute Vladimir Jugovic was sent off for a second yellow for dissent.
Three minutes later Eriksson reorganised the team taking off a subdued Mancini and throwing on a more defensive Dario Marcolin.
There followed a period where the French could have equalised. First Luca Marchegiani saved well on a powerful, low Guivarc'h effort and then Diomede hit the crossbar with a curling left-footed free kick from the right side of the area.
Lazio weathered the storm and then led by Nedved started to attack again.
The French strangely made no changes at all while Lazio made a last substitution in the 85th minute bringing on Guerino Gottardi for Alen Boksic.
The last two attempts were shots by Nedved but Charbonnier was safe. Final score Lazio 1 Auxerre 0.
A result difficult to evaluate. On the positive side Lazio had not conceded any away goals, resisted for 25 minutes in ten men and forward Diomede would be suspended. On the down side taking a single goal lead to France left things completely open especially as the visitors had shown to be dangerous, particularly on set pieces.
Who played for Lazio
Marchegiani, Pancaro, Nesta, Favalli, Fuser, Venturin (63' Casiraghi), Jugovic, Nedved, Mancini (70' Marcolin), Boksic (85' Gottardi)
Manager: Eriksson
Who played for Auxerre
Charbonnier, Danjou, Jay, Goma, Rabarivony, Lamouchi, Jeunechamp, Lachuer, Marlet, Guivarc'h, Diomède
Substitutes: Cool, Assati, Agboh, Radet, Nivet, Compan, Gonzales
Manager: Roux
Referee: Piraux (Bel)
Goal: 63' Casiraghi
Red Card: 67' Jugovic
What happened next
In the return game in France the result was 2-2. Lazio were 2-0 up after 13 minutes but a Guivarc'h brace levelled ten minutes from the end. Lazio's qualification therefore was never really at risk.
In the semi-final Lazio then knocked out Atlético Madrid, winning 1-0 at the Calderon and drawing 0-0 at the Olimpico. Lazio were in the final of the UEFA Cup.
Unfortunately, Lazio arrived in Paris to play Inter having run out of steam and a tired team got beaten 0-3 at the Parc des Princes by Ronaldo's Nerazzurri. A good European campaign however.
In Serie A Lazio continued their good form after today's game. In the next 4 games they won 3 (including the second derby 2-0) and drew 1 and challenged for the title until a precise date, April 5. They played leaders Juventus, got beaten 1-0 and never recovered. In the last 6 matches they managed to muster only one point and ended up in a disappointing 7th place. Top scorers were Pavel Nedvěd and Alen Boksic with 15 goals (Nedved 11 in A and Boksic 10). Alas previous years goal machine Beppe Signori had left in late November due to contrasts with Eriksson over lack of playing time.
Strange but true however it turned out to be a season to remember. They beat hated city rivals 4 times! Twice in the league (3-1 in ten men and 2-0) and twice in the Coppa Italia (4-1 and 2-1), a record which has yet to be rivalled.
It was in the domestic cup, the Coppa Italia, that they lived their finest hour. They knocked out Juventus in the semi-final drawing 2-2 at home and so reaching the final.
The final against Milan was also still played over two legs, home and away. The first went to Milan 1-0 with an 89th minute George Weah winner. The return match in Rome seemed to be heading in Milan's favour too when a Demetrio Albertini freekick put the Rossoneri 1-0 up just after half time. A stirring second half performance however turned the final around. Goals by Gottardi, Jugovic (pen) and captain Nesta gave Lazio a dramatic 3-1 victory and after 30 years gave the Biancocelesti long awaited silverware.
So, a European Final, 4 derby wins and a domestic cup after thirty years definitely made it a season to cherish.
Auxerre then finished 7th in League 1 and reached the semi-finals of the Coupe de la Ligue. Top scorer was Stéphane Guivarc'h with 46 (21 in league). The manager Guy Roux stayed until 2005, so was in charge for 44 years!
So, Juventus won their 25th title, Inter the UEFA Cup and Lazio all four derbies… Serie B awaited Brescia, Atalanta, Lecce and Napoli.
Let’s talk about Pierluigi Casiraghi
Pierluigi Casiraghi was born in Monza (Lombardy), on March 4, 1969.
He grew up in his hometown youth sector and in 1985-86 joined the first team squad. His debut came against Fiorentina in a cup game on 21 August, when he came on for the last 20 minutes. His league debut in Serie B was on October 20, 1985, against Arezzo. His first goal came against Pescara on June 1, 1986. He played 14 times that season but Monza had a poor year and were relegated to C1.
In his second season he played more, 25 appearances with 6 goals, plus a brace against Sampdoria in the cup.
The 1987-88 season saw Casiraghi flourish and he scored 12 times as the Brianzoli got promoted back to Serie B.
The following season he paired up with Maurizio Ganz (later to play for Inter and Milan) and with 9 goals helped Monza survive in Serie B. In total at Monza, he played 113 games, with 33 goals.
In 1989 came Casiraghi's jump into the big time. He was bought by Juventus for 6.4 million Lire (approx. 12 million Euros). His debut arrived against Bologna on August 27. That year he played 23 times with 6 goals, under manager Dino Zoff. He was also a protagonist in Juventus' two cup triumphs. He scored consistently in the Coppa Italia and got a goal in the UEFA Cup Final against Fiorentina.
His second season in Turin saw the arrival of new manager Luigi Maifredi and by Juventus standards the season was a disaster but Casiraghi continued to perform well.
Things improved in the 1991-92 season with the return of historic and successful manager Giovanni Trapattoni. The zebra's finished in 2nd place and Casiraghi got 7 goals.
The 1992-1993 season started with more competition up front for Casiraghi. Gianluca Vialli (Sampdoria) and Fabrizio Ravanelli (Reggiana) were signed and added to Roberto Baggio and German Andreas Moeller; this meant limited playing time for Casiraghi. He played a total of 25 games in all competitions with 5 goals. He was already in the Italy squad so in order to play more regularly and keep his place he decided it was time for a change. At Juventus he played 147 times and scored 36 goals.
At this point of his career Lazio stepped in. He signed for the Romans on 6 August, 1993, initially on loan with a subsequent fee of 10 billion Lire (approx. 5 million Euros). He was reunited with manager Zoff and paired up with Signori, who he helped win the Italian Golden Boot. Casiraghi played 31 games and got 5 goals in the various competitions.
The following season 1994-95 new manager Czech Zdenek Zeman was chosen. He was well known for his attacking philosophy and tactics and in fact the trio of Signori, Boksic and Casiraghi made up a formidable scoring machine. Casiraghi himself got 15 goals in 47 games, including 4 against Fiorentina and a memorable acrobatic beauty against Roma in the derby.
The next season, 1995-96, was even more prolific for Casiraghi with 18 goals in 35 games.
In the 1996-97 season Zeman was sacked and back came Dino Zoff. Casiraghi played 31 times with 11 goals.
In the 1997-98 season, with the advent of new manager, Swedish Sven-Goran Eriksson, and forward Robert Mancini from Sampdoria, Casiraghi played less. He did however score in the derby (3-1) and helped Lazio to the UEFA Cup Final with 4 goals (the final was then lost against Inter in Paris). He played a total of 188 games for Lazio with 56 goals. He scored many memorable goals and won the Coppa Italia in 1998.
At 29 years of age, he went for an experience abroad. In the summer of 1998, he joined Chelsea for 5.5 million pounds. In London he teamed up with compatriots Gianfranco Zola and Gianluca Vialli and from his Lazio days, Roberto Di Matteo. In his first season Chelsea won the European Super Cup against the mighty Real Madrid. Casiraghi however was not involved. On November 8 disaster had struck. In a game against West-Ham United he badly fractured his leg. Despite several operations he would never play again and at 31 he was finally released by Chelsea and retired. He only played 15 times for the Blues and scored once.
At International level he played 44 times for Italy, scoring 13 goals. He was part of the Italian squad that won a runners-up medal in the USA World Cup in 1994 (defeated by Brazil on penalties).
Since retiring he has gone into management, and between 2006 and 2010 was in charge of the Italy Under 21s (3rd place in Euro 2009 in Sweden). He also managed the Italian Olympic team in Beijing 2008. He has had experiences abroad at Al-Arabi (Qatar) and at Birmingham City (England) as deputy manager.
Before his premature retirement Casiraghi had an excellent career at Juventus and Lazio. He won 2 Italian Cups (Juventus and Lazio), an FA Cup (Chelsea), 2 UEFA Cups (Juventus) and a UEFA Supercup (Chelsea). He also earned a World Cup runners-up medal.
Casiraghi was 1.82 metres tall but he was strong, very strong. At Lazio he was nicknamed Gigi “Tyson” Casiraghi for his sheer physical power. He was a classic centre-forward and a good team player, not being a selfish goal grabber. He was not overly technical but made up for it in strength and acrobatic skills. He was a generous player and opened up space for his teammates. At Lazio, Signori in particular thrived from Casiraghi's partnership. He was a favourite at Lazio for his altruism, hard work and unsurprisingly for his goals.
In Rome he will always be remembered for his derby goals, in association with the goal machine Lazio were in those years and linked to their emergence as a trophy winning team.
Lazio Career
Season | Total appearances (goals) | Serie A | Coppa Italia | UEFA Cup |
1993-94 | 31 (5) | 26 (4) | 2 | 3 (1) |
1994-95 | 47 (15) | 34 (12) | 6 (3) | 7 |
1995-96 | 35 (18) | 28 (14) | 3 | 4 (4) |
1996-97 | 31 (11) | 24 (8) | 4 (2) | 3 (1) |
1997-98 | 44 (7) | 28 (3) | 6 | 10 (4) |
Total | 188 (56) | 140 (41) | 21 (5) | 27 (10) |
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