A dramatic thriller
Seven goals, two posts, a late missed penalty, three red cards, a pitch invasion and more as Lazio edge Bologna
Also on this day: September 15, 1963, Lazio Fiorentina 1-1. Lazio dominate second half but Albertosi and some imprecision deny the Biancocelesti a deserved win. Player of the day: Mario Maraschi
The season so far
Lazio had finished an excellent 3rd the previous season, under Englishman Jesse Carver.
This year however Lazio found themselves in serious financial difficulty and were not able to improve the squad. Carver had left for Inter and the new manager was Milovan Ćirić.
The only new signings of note were midfielders Ugo Pozzan (Bologna) and Giorgio Bravi (Taranto - end of loan). The departures were more significant as Lazio were losing defender Primo Sentimenti V after seven seasons (Udinese) and forward Lorenzo Bettini (Udinese). Karl Aage Praest was retiring but he had not made much impact in Rome.
Lazio had lost a week earlier on their debut, 1-3 away at Padova.
Bologna had finished 6th the previous season, under manager Aldo Campitelli. The Rossoblu had won one and lost one against Lazio. Top scorer was Cesarino Cervellati with 12 league goals.
This season Bologna too had a Yugoslav manager, Ljubo Benčić. The main new players were: defender Giovanni Mialich (Palermo), midfielder Luigi Bodi (Torino), plus forwards Humberto Maschio (Racing Club) and Bernard Vukas (Hajduk Split).
Leaving were: defender Dino Ballacci (Lecco, after 306 league games), midfielders Antoine Bonifaci (Torino), Ugo Pozzan (Lazio) and Domenico La Forgia (Cagliari).
On their debut the Felsinei had drawn 2-2 at home to Udinese.
On paper Bologna were the superior team but Lazio wanted to do well on their home debut.
The match: Sunday, September 15, 1957, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
A nice, sunny day brought a big 60,000 crowd to the Olimpico for Lazio's home debut.
Lazio took the field without defender Nicola Lo Buono and forward Renzo Burini while Bologna were missing regular keeper Attilio Santarelli, defenders Giovanni Mialich, Mirko Pavinato and midfielder Francesco Rondon.
The game was open and end to end from the word go. Lazio took the lead in the 18th minute. It was defender Fedele Greco who put the ball in his own net after an outstanding burst by Arne Selmosson. Lazio 1 Bologna 0
Bologna did not waste time and equalised six minutes later. A Gino Pivatelli volley in the 24th minute gave keeper Bob Lovati no chance, 1-1.
Not content with drawing level, two minutes later the Felsinei went in front. In the 26th minute a perfect long distance shot by Humberto Maschio beat Lovati again and turned the game around completely. Lazio 1 Bologna 2.
Lazio however equalised almost immediately. In the 28th minute Luigi Bodi deflected a Pasquale Vivolo shot and gave Lazio the leveller with the second own goal of the afternoon. Bologna continued to be unlucky when Bernard Vukas hit the post before halftime. At the break Lazio 2 Bologna 2.
A highly entertaining game so far with both sides prioritising attack over defence.
Lazio started the second half on the front foot and after six minutes took the lead. A great Humberto Tozzi-Ermes Muccinelli move was finished off from close range by Vivolo. Lazio 3 Bologna 2.
Bologna responded but luck was not on their side again. Vukas drilled a powerful strike which hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced near the line. The classic dilemma on these lightning shots, over the line or not? The referee initially pointed to midfield but then was convinced by the linesman, who had a better view, that the ball had bounced back in play. The general consensus was that this was the right decision.
A few minutes later Lazio made it four. In the 63rd minute Selmosson delighted the crowd with his skills before firing in a shot on the far post. Lazio 4 Bologna 2.
Bologna however did not give up and continued to battle hard. In the 82nd minute Vukas, from a corner, was quickest to react in a crowded area and pulled a goal back. Lazio 4 Bologna 3.
The visitors were now fired up and continued to attack. Maschio had a shot go just wide and then came a hugely controversial moment. Adelmo Eufemi involuntarily touched the ball with his hand and the referee pointed to the spot kick. The Lazio fans were livid as the man in black had previously not whistled two seemingly blatant penalties for the home side for fouls by Bodi on Tozzi.
A few words about the referee before the penalty kick. He came from an incredibly wealthy family and was rumoured not to bother to train properly during the week. Fact was he had already made several mistakes in this game.
Back to the penalty kick and more drama. Lovati still had his back turned and was preparing for the shot when Pivatelli slyly took it early but hit it too weakly and Lovati turned, saved it with his foot and then crouched down on the ball.
What happened next was incredible. Pivatelli, fuming about his miss, raced up to Lovati and kicked him on the shoulder and hand causing him a fractured finger. Pivatelli was obviously sent off but more scuffles broke out between Ezio Pascutti and Arnaldo Lucentini which two pitch invaders even tried to join, one of them then attacked the referee pushing him to the ground. Chaos and confusion which four Carabinieri eventually resolved. Needless to say, Pascutti and Lucentini were sent for early showers too.
Lovati was carried off on a stretcher while Vivolo went in goal for the last few minutes. Lazio managed to hold on for a dramatic win. Lazio 4 Bologna 3.
A thrilling game full of goals, controversy and drama but a good win for Lazio.
Lovati forever the gentleman tried to make peace with Pivatelli in the changing room but was rejected. Lovati would be out injured for a month.
Who played for Lazio
Manager: Ciric
Who played for Bologna
Giorcelli, Rota, Bodi, Gasperi, Greco I, Pilmark, Cervellati, Maschio, Pivatelli, Vukas, Pascutti
Manager: Bencic
Referee: Bonetto
Goals: 18' Greco I (og), 24' Pivatelli, 26' Maschio, 28' Bodi (og), 51' Vivolo, 63' Selmosson, 82' Vukas
Red cards: 88' Pivatelli (B), Lucentini (L), Pascutti (B)
What happened next
Lazio struggled all season. Despite some good wins including a derby 2-1, Inter 3-1, Napoli 4-1, the Biancocelesti lost 14 games (including Bologna 0-5, Roma 0-3, Milan 1-6, Genoa 2-5) and battled for survival. After 19 matches Ciric was replaced by former player Alfredo Monza.
Coming into the last match of the season the table was not pretty; Verona 26, SPAL 28, Genoa 28, Sampdoria 28, Lazio 28, Atalanta 28 with two teams going for the drop. The last match was Lazio vs Verona and fortunately the Biancocelesti won 4-0 with goals by Pozzan, Selmosson, Tozzi and Carradori. SPAL beat Atalanta sending the Orobici down with Verona. Lazio's top scorer was Selmosson with 9 league goals.
The Coppa Italia this year was played over the summer of 1958. This was because Italy did not qualify for the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, so, before television conquered football, this gave people something to do between June and September.
Many teams had new coaches and players including Lazio. The new manager was former player Fulvio Bernardini. Lazio were finally forced to sell their star Arne Selmosson, unfortunately Roma were the highest bidders so he reluctantly changed sides of the Tiber. Also leaving were defenders Giovanni Di Veroli (retiring), midfielder Luigi Fuin (Juventus), forwards Ermes Muccinelli (Juventus), Pasquale Vivolo (Genoa).
The main new arrivals were: keeper Idilio Cei (Foligno), midfielders Paolo Carosi (Tivoli), Bruno Franzini (Genoa), Egidio Fumagalli (Novese), Carlo Tagnin (Alessandria), forwards Claudio Bizzarri (Fiorentina) and Maurilio Prini (Fiorentina).
The group phase was in June-July. Lazio won 4 (Palermo 5-1, Napoli 3-1 at home, Roma 3-2 and Napoli 4-0 away) and drew 2 (Palermo 2-2 away and Roma 1-1 at home).
In September Lazio beat Serie B team Marzotto Valdagno 2-1 in the quarters and then Juventus 2-0 in the semis. The final was in Rome on September 24 against Fiorentina. Lazio triumphed 1-0 with a goal by Maurilio Prini and lifted their first historic silverware.
Bologna finished 6th. After today's game they continued poorly with 4 points in the next 6 matches. They then changed managers, bringing in Hungarian György Sárosi and things improved. The Rossoblu ended the season with 12 wins (including Lazio 5-0 and Inter 1-0 at home and Milan 1-0, Napoli 1-0 and Inter 2-0 all away). Top scorers were Ezio Pascutti with 16 (12 in A) and Gino Pivatelli with 14 (12 in A).
In Coppa Italia the Petroniani (San Petronio is the town's patron saint) reached the semi-finals. They beat Milan 4-2 away in the quarters but then lost 2-4 away to Fiorentina. In the 3rd and 4th place final they drew 3-3 with Juventus, the penalty shootout was also a deadlock so then a coin was tossed and Bologna finished 3rd.
The Scudetto was won by Juventus for their 10th title (and first star) while at the other end Atalanta and Verona said goodbye.
Lazio 1957-58
Competition | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals scored |
Serie A | 34 | 10 | 10 | 14 | 45 |
Coppa Italia | 6 | 4 | 2 | - | 18 |
Total | 40 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 63 |
Top five appearances
Player | Total | Serie A | Coppa Italia |
Pinardi | 35 | 30 | 5 |
Molino | 34 | 34 | - |
Selmosson | 33 | 33 | - |
Muccinelli | 32 | 32 | - |
Pozzan | 32 | 27 | 5 |
Top five goal scorers
Player | Total | Serie A | Coppa Italia |
Tozzi | 16 | 7 | 9 |
Burini | 12 | 7 | 5 |
Selmosson | 9 | 9 | - |
Pozzan | 6 | 5 | 1 |
Muccinelli | 5 | 5 | - |
Let's talk about Arnaldo Lucentini
Arnaldo Lucentini was born in Tolentino (Macerata) on July 7, 1930.
He started playing football for his hometown youth side of Tolentino where he was put up to the first squad in the 1947-48 season.
In 1948 he signed for Sampdoria where he stayed four seasons. The Blucerchiati were in Serie A and finished 5th, 13th, 12th and 7th. His managers were Adolfo Baloncieri for two years, Giuseppe Galluzzi and then Gipo Poggi in the third and former Lazio player Alfredo Foni in the fourth. His teammates included Juan Carlos Lorenzo (Lazio manager 1962-64, 1968-71 and 1984-85), Renato Gei (Lazio manager 1967-68), Umberto Mannocci (Lazio manager 1964-66). Lucentini played 110 league games and scored 18 goals.
In 1952-53 he played a season for Fiorentina. The Viola finished 7th in Serie A, first under Renzo Magli and then former Lazio player and future manager Fulvio Bernardini. Lucentini played 23 league games and scored 1 goal (Triestina).
Triestina were his next club. He stayed three seasons and the Alabardati finished 12th twice and 16th in Serie A. His managers were Nereo Rocco, Severino Feruglio and then Feruglio followed by Piero Pasinato. His teammates included former Lazio Bruno Ispiro (1946-47). Lucentini played 89 league games and scored 14 goals.
In 1956 he joined Lazio. He stayed three years but was not a regular and often played with the reserves. Lazio finished 3rd under Jesse Carver, 12th under Milovan Ciric and then Alfredo Monza and then 11th under Fulvio Bernardini. In September 1958 Lazio won the Coppa Italia, their first ever silverware. Lucentini played 14 league games and scored 2 goals (Triestina, Palermo).
He then spent a year with Catanzaro in Serie B. The Giallorossi finished 8th under Piero Pasinati but helped Italy win the Alps Cup. Lucentini played 16 league games and scored 2 goals.
In 1960 he joined Arezzo for two seasons. The Aretini were in Serie C and finished 13th and 4th, under future Lazio manager Umberto Mannocci (1964-66) and Mario Caciagli in the second year. Lucentini played 45 league games and scored 1 goal. He then retired but made a comeback as player -manager two years later.
In 1964-65 he joined Juve Stabia from Castellammare di Stabia (Naples) as a player but mainly as manager. The "Vespe" (Wasps) were in Serie D and finished 8th. Lucentini however only played 1 league game before finally retiring and concentrating on his career as a manager.
This only continued some years later in Sicily. He had two spells with Empedoclina (1972-74 and 1977-78), then a year with Sciacca (1978-79 with promotion to 6th tier) and finally Licata (1981) but he died suddenly when he fell down the stairs in his home in Gela in 1981.
Lucentini also won one cap for Italy in a friendly versus Switzerland in 1951.
Lucentini was a midfielder. He was a refined and versatile player with good tactical sense. He played 236 games in Serie A with 35 goals. A decent career with a total of 299 games with 38 goals.
At Lazio he played 8 league games in his first year and scored 2 goals contributing to a positive 3rd place. In the second year he played 6 league games and then only friendlies and reserve games in his third.
His hometown of Tolentino has named its football academy in his honour and the council has also named a street after him.
Lazio Career
Season | Serie A Appearances | Serie A Goals |
1956-57 | 8 | 2 |
1957-58 | 6 | - |
Total | 14 | 2 |
Sources
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