Game 34, Serie A
Sunday June 3, 1956
Stadio San Siro, Milan
Milan Lazio 1-3
By winning in Milan in the final match of the season, Lazio secures third place position
The beginning of the season had been terrible. At the end of the first half Lazio were 13th, just two points above the relegation zone. Ferrero had been sacked, Technical Director Roberto Copernico was sacked and in came Jesse Carver. Manager Luigi Ferrero resigned. Things went decisively better under the English manager and now Lazio had reached third place, shared with Inter.
The last game was against Milan. The only side that could have an interest in the match were Lazio since they were joint third and wanted to keep this prestigious position. Milan were second but the scudetto had already been won by Fiorentina.
The match
Milan left the stadium thoroughly booed by their fans. But the expectations had been high since this game was to be the last match played by legendary striker Gunnar Nordhal with Milan. And he did not disappoint, at least initially. In the 4th minute Nordhal headed in a cross from Nils Leidholm to make it 1-0 for Milan.
But Lazio scored two goals in three minutes. In the 7th Ermes Muccinelli, after a couple of one-twos with Franco Carradori, crossed into the box and Lorenzo Bettini equalised with a volley that suprised Santino Ciceri. Three minutes later Bettini tried a shot that beat the goalkeeper so Luigi Radice stopped the ball with his hand. Penalty that Carradori scored taking Lazio ahead. Milan disappeared. The clear superiority of Arne Selmosson and Muccinelli up front sent the Rossoneri defence into a crisis they could not come out of. Muccinelli scored Lazio’s third in the 63rd minute. Selmosson and Bettin went off on a counter attack, Radice and Francesco Zagatti clashed, the Biancocelesti forwards found themselves alone in front of the keeper, ball to Muccinelli for the 3-1.
Thanks to this win, Lazio consolidated their third place.
Who played for Milan
Ciceri, Maldini, Zagatti, Liedholm, Pedroni, Radice, Bagnoli, Carminati, Nordahl, Ricagni, Dal Monte
Manager: Puricelli
Who played for Lazio
Lovati, Molino, Lo Buono, Sassi II, Giovannini, Villa, Muccinelli, Carradori, Bettini, Sentimenti V, Selmosson
Manager: Carver
Referee: Bonetto
Goals: 5’ Nordahl, 7’ Bettini, 10’ Carradori (pen), 63’ Muccinelli
Sources
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