Lazio survive Protti tsunami and clinch point
After a nightmare start, 3-1 down at half time and in ten men, Lazio conquer point despite Protti hat-trick
Also on this day: September 17, 2016, Lazio Pescara 3-0. A well deserved win for Lazio after Abruzzesi waste spot kick chance. Player of the day: Stefan de Vrij
The season so far
It was Zdenek Zeman's second year in charge after the previous year's second place (although way behind champions Juventus). They had also reached the UEFA Cup quarter-final (unlucky exit to former Lazio Riedle's Borussia Dortmund) and the semi-final of Italian Cup. So, they were trying to build on a positive year.
The summer market had brought defenders Guerino Gottardi (Neuchatel Xamax) and Alessandro Grandoni (Ternana). The main changes were the players leaving. It was with great sadness that Lazio said goodbye to beloved Paul Gascoigne (Rangers for 4.3 million pounds) after 3 eventful years in Rome. Also leaving were defenders Roberto Cravero (Torino), Roberto Bacci (Torino) and midfielder Giorgio Venturin (Cagliari - loan).
Today was the 3rd league fixture of the season. So far Lazio had won two out of two, Piacenza 4-1 at home and Cagliari 1-0 away. The Biancocelesti were top with Juventus and Milan on 6 points.
The Biancocelesti's season had started on August 30, in a Coppa Italia away game to Chievo Verona. Lazio had scraped through on penalties after a 1-1 draw. Next up was Udinese away on October 25.
Bari had finished 12th the previous season, under former Lazio manager Giuseppe Materazzi (1988-90). The "Galletti" (Cockerels) had lost at home to Lazio but won 2-1 in Rome. Top scorer was Sandro Tovalieri with 17 league goals.
This season Materazzi was still manager. The main new signings were: defenders Abel Xavier (Benfica - on loan), Luigi Sala (Como), midfielder Fabrizio Ficini (Empoli), Pietro Parente (Como - back from loan)and forward Kennet Andersson (Caen).
Leaving were: defender Lorenzo Amoruso (Fiorentina), midfielders Angelo Alessio (Cosenza), Onofrio Barone (Verona), Emiliano Bigica (Fiorentina) and forward Sandro Tovalieri (Atalanta).
So far in Serie A Bari had one point after a 1-1 home draw with Napoli and a 1-3 away defeat to Torino.
The Biancorossi were out of the Coppa Italia having lost 0-2 away to Reggiana.
Lazio hoping to keep up Juventus and Milan's pace at top of the table against struggling opposition. The Bianconeri played Vicenza at home while Milan had a theoretically tougher game in Rome against Roma.
The match: Sunday, September 17, 1995, Stadio San Nicola, Bari
A 35,000-crowd turned out at the San Nicola stadium built for Italia '90.
Bari were without midfielder Gérson while Lazio had no real injury problems apart from Alessandro Nesta being out.
Bari fielded three future Roma players, Amedeo Mangone, Carmine Gautieri and Abel Xavier.
Lazio started out on the attack. In the 5th minute Beppe Signori, set up by Alen Boksic, had only the keeper to beat but uncharacteristically fired his volley well over the bar.
Lazio were punished three minutes later. In the 8th minute Kennet Andersson crossed and Igor Protti headed in to give the Biancorossi the lead. Bari 1 Lazio 0.
The home side were galvanised and six minutes later doubled their lead. In the 14th minute Protti beat Luca Marchegiani with a precise, low shot. Bari 2 Lazio 0. Nightmare start for Lazio.
Lazio tried to respond but their attacks were systematically blocked by Bari's midfield and defence.
In the 36th minute things got even worse. Guerino Gottardi committed his second bookable offence and was sent for an extremely early shower.
A glimmer of hope for Lazio came just before halftime. In the 44th minute Aron Winter reduced the arrears despite heavy protests by the Bari players for a possible push by Boksic on the keeper. The goal stood and the teams went to the break with the Pugliesi leading 2-1.
For the second period Zeman threw caution to the wind and put on striker Gigi Casiraghi for midfielder Roberto Rambaudi. With a 3-3-3 formation Lazio were very unbalanced and attacking oriented.
They were punished almost immediately. In the 49th minute Protti got his hat-trick when he headed in a Pietro Parente cross. Bari 3 Lazio 1. It looked like curtains for the Romans. Most people's money would probably be on Bari piling more misery on the visitors.
Bari had the game for the taking but inexplicably pulled back and let themselves be attacked. Lazio obliged the decision and had chances with Signori (just wide), Boksic (Fontana saved) and in the 57th minute pulled one back. Winter fed Boksic, the Croat put an assist across to Casiraghi who, sliding forward, slotted into the empty goal. Bari 3 Lazio 2.
The Biancorossi were in a trance and incapable of changing their tactics. Not even two minutes later Lazio were awarded a penalty for an ever so light push by Marcello Montanari on Boksic, a generous one to say the least. Signori, as usual without a run up, put the ball in the back of the net. Bari 3 Lazio 3. A remarkable turnaround.
The game dropped in intensity with both sides possibly satisfied with the draw. Lazio's substitutions would certainly indicate so as they took off both Signori and Boksic in the 72nd minute for a midfielder Piovanelli and a defender Cristiano Bergodi. Bari too made three substitutions but all role for role.
As it was, the game provided no more excitement, apart from a Di Matteo effort saved by Fontana, and ended 3-3.
A difficult game to analyse. Bari had the game in their hands, two goals up twice and with the extra man but probably could have lost if Lazio had been more determined to continue attacking. The "Cockerels" would have signed for a point before the game.
Lazio had shown defensive weaknesses but also some character coming back to salvage a point. With a bit more courage they could have possibly taken all three.
Who played for Bari
Fontana, Montanari, Sala, Ricci, Mangone, Parente (70' Gautieri), Pedone, Abel Xavier (61' Ficini), Manighetti, Andersson (70' Guerrero), Protti
Substitutes: Alberga, Annoni
Manager: Materazzi
Who played for Lazio
Marchegiani, Gottardi, Favalli, Fuser, Negro, Chamot, Rambaudi (46' Casiraghi), Di Matteo, Boksic (72' Piovanelli), Winter, Signori (72' Bergodi)
Manager: Zeman
Referee: Braschi
Goals: 8' Protti, 14' Protti, 44' Winter, 49' Protti, 57' Casiraghi, 59' Signori (pen)
Red Card: 36' Gottardi (L)
What happened next
Juventus and Milan both won and Lazio slipped down to 3rd. That is also where they finished the season. Another positive year with some great wins; Juventus 4-0, Sampdoria 6-3, Atalanta 5-1, Cagliari 4-0, Fiorentina 4-0, Roma 1-0 all at home but also some bad and unexpected defeats, Vicenza 0-1, Piacenza 1-2, Cremonese 1-2 all away. Despite some fantastic displays, mainly at home, Lazio were too inconsistent to challenge for the title. Top scorer was Beppe Signori with 26 goals (24 in A and top with Igor Protti).
In Coppa Italia Lazio beat Udinese 1-0 away but then lost to Inter 1-2 on aggregate in the quarter finals.
In the UEFA CUP Lazio were eliminated in the round of 32 by Olympique Lyonnais 1-4 on aggregate.
Bari ended up relegated. In the autumn they added Swedish midfielder Klas Ingesson (Sheffield Wednesday) and after 12 games (on 8 points), despite wins against Milan and Cagliari, they sacked Materazzi and brought in Lazio legend Eugenio Fascetti. His first match was a 1-7 away defeat to Cremonese. They then improved with wins including Inter 4-1 at home, Atalanta and Udinese 2-1 away plus two draws against Juventus but ultimately it was not enough and "La Stella del Sud" finished 15th and down. The return game with Lazio ended up 4-3 for the Biancocelesti. A consolation was having Igor Protti as top Serie A scorer with 24 goals (with Signori). The bad news was that he was now joining Signori at Lazio for the following season.
Milan won their 15th Scudetto while Bari went down with Torino, Cremonese and Padova (the Patavini have never made it back since).
Lazio 1995-96
Competition | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals Scored |
Serie A | 34 | 17 | 8 | 9 | 66 |
Coppa Italia | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
UEFA Cup | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 |
Total | 42 | 20 | 10 | 12 | 77 |
Top five appearances
Player | Total | Serie A | Coppa Italia | UEFA Cup |
Fuser | 39 | 32 | 4 | 3 |
Negro | 39 | 31 | 4 | 4 |
Di Matteo | 38 | 31 | 3 | 4 |
Signori | 38 | 31 | 4 | 3 |
Chamot | 37 | 32 | 4 | 1 |
Winter | 37 | 30 | 3 | 4 |
Top five goal scorers
Player | Total | Serie A | Coppa Italia | UEFA Cup |
Signori | 26 | 24 | 1 | 1 |
Casiraghi | 18 | 14 | - | 4 |
Winter | 7 | 6 | - | 1 |
Fuser | 6 | 6 | - | - |
Boksic | 4 | 4 | - | - |
Let's talk about Pierluigi Casiraghi (known as 'Gigi')
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' 2 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 Roberto 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 21's (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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