Game 21, National Division, Group A
Sunday, February 26, 1928
Stadio Mirabello, Reggio Emilia
Reggiana Lazio 1-3
Not a vintage game, but Lazio capitalized on Reggiana’s defensive mistakes

Lazio in 1926-27 had been promoted to the National Division and played in the A Group.
So far, they had done pretty poorly. They had won three games (including Milan), drawn three and lost twelve. They were second from last and would have been facing relegation, but it was clear to everybody at this point that the rules were going to be changed and that another transitional league would be created.
Today Lazio faced bottom placed Reggiana.
The match: Sunday, February 26, 1928, Stadio Mirabello, Reggio Emilia
Today was not exactly what one could call a vintage match. The papers at the time were rather harsh. Reggiana were dire with little training and even less enthusiasm to play, Lazio did not play well either.
The game immediately began with a chance for the home team when a defensive mistake from the Biancocelesti allowed Pietro Bresciani and Ottorino Casanova to be completely unmarked in front of Bruno Nicolini but the former was too eager and shot wide. In the 13th minute Riccardo Okeley III opened the scoring when his volley went into the net following a cross from the left.
Reggiana reacted and had a couple of chances with Enrico Botazzi on a free kick and Leandro Codeluppi. Towards the end of the first half Vivaldo Fornaciari, pressed by Luigi Bodrato, passed back to the keeper who fumbled and the Lazio midfielder had an easy chance which he did not miss.
In the 65th minute Lazio made it three. Bodrato dispossessed the Reggiana attack and ran towards the goal, pass to Carlo Nesi, 3-0.
At this point, the home team began to play with more positivity but with few chances. They did however, pull one back with Casanova, who in the 73rd minute after a corner kick, acrobatically volleyed the ball in. Further attacks continued but it was Lazio who missed their fourth in the 83rd minute with Gino Lamon, but Archimede Valeriani parried his close-range shot.
Not a game to remember.
Who played for Reggiana
Valeriani, Fornaciari, Simonini, Bedogni, Mazzoli, Bottazzi, Benatti, Codeluppi, Berpecchi, Casanova, Bresciani
Manager: Zsigmond
Who played for Lazio
Nicolini, Canestri, Bottacini, Nesi, Pardini, Berti II, Okely III, Paganini, Bodrato, Maneschi, Lamon
Manager: Sedlacek
Referee: Enrietti
Goals: 13’ Okely III, 44’ Bodrato, 65’ Nesi, 73’ Casanova
Sources
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