Game 29, Serie A
Sunday April 25, 1954
Stadio Comunale, Ferrara
Spal Lazio 0-1
A well-deserved win for the Biancocelesti who were now almost safe
Lazio were currently in 13th position, on 23 points, four points above the drop zone. After 24 games Sperone had been replaced by Federico Allasio.
A delicate game today where neither team could afford to lose and be sucked further into the survival battle.
The match
The game, played on Liberation Day, gathered about 9,000 in the small Ferrara ground. It was a mild day but there were the occasional banks of fog.
One curious fact was that two brothers were playing against each other today, Carlo Fontanesi for the hosts and Alberto for the visitors, until recently a SPAL player himself.
Lazio were missing defender Francesco Antonazzi plus forwards Pasquale Vivolo and Aldo Puccinelli.
The Biancocelesti started better than the Estensi. In the 3rd minute a team move involving Renzo Burini and Romolo Alzani set up Alberto Fontanesi but the former SPAL player blasted it over the bar. Lazio had the upper hand but it was soon clear the forwards Fontanesi and Sigvard Lofgren were not at the top of their game.
SPAL reacted and in the 16th had a huge chance. A high ball was hoofed into the crowded area but somehow reached an unmarked Aziz Bülent who took aim but Aldo De Fazio pulled off an incredible save, leaping and getting to it with the tip of his fingers.
Lazio seemed galvanised by their keeper's heroics and started to push forward again. They had chances with Lofgren and Burini and later Burini again sent a thundering shot onto the crossbar and on the rebound Fontanesi's header was cleared off the line.
SPAL's main tactic was to put high balls into Lazio’s area but they were dealt well with by Primo Sentimenti V, Alzani, Vittorio Bergamo and Serafino Montanari.
In the 36th minute Lazio took the lead. Luigi Fuin dispossessed Dan Ekner and surged forward, he then dummied a pass to Lofgren but instead continued forward going past three defenders and after a quick one-two with Per Bredesen hammered a low shot into the corner of the net. A superb goal, SPAL 0 Lazio 1.
SPAL had little or no reaction and Lazio were in control. In the 39th minute Norwegian Bredesen went past Onorio Busnelli who pulled him down in the area for what looked like a clear penalty but the referee had other ideas. Halftime SPAL 0 Lazio1. A well-deserved lead so far.
For the second half the hosts changed their positions up front, placing Sergio Sega in the middle with Rinaldo Olivieri and Carlo Fontanesi II on the wings. Lazio however responded by pulling Burini slightly further back to help out more in midfield.
SPAL had some shots on goal but none really worried De Fazio. It was still Lazio who were more dangerous. Burini was extremely efficient at starting rapid counter attacks but Fontanesi seemed to be uneasy playing in front of his former supporters and wasted several opportunities.
At this point Bredesen took over as the forwards were having an off day. In the 65th minute he hit the crossbar with a good effort and then in the 80th minute, set up by Burini, he was denied by an exceptional save by Bertocchi.
In the last ten minutes Lazio controlled a tiring SPAL without running any risks and clinched two crucial away points. Final score SPAL 0 Lazio 1.
There was no discussion about the fairness of the result. If anything, Lazio should have won by more goals. They had been compact and solid in defence and midfield while the forwards had disappointed. The main thing however was the win in this important relegation clash.
Lazio were now up to joint 12th, with Genoa on 25 points with seven teams behind them and five points on the B zone. With five games remaining Lazio were in a good place.
SPAL were still joint 14th, with Triestina on 22 points but now had their margin on second bottom Palermo reduced to two points.
Who played for SPAL
Bertocchi, Lucchi, Dell'Innocenti, Busnelli, Bernardin, Castoldi, Olivieri, Sega, Fontanesi II, Ekner, Bulent
Manager: Janni
Who played for Lazio
De Fazio, Montanari, Di Veroli, Fuin, Sentimenti V, Bergamo, Burini, Alzani, Bredesen, Lofgren, Fontanesi I
Manager: Allasio
Referee: Liverani
Goals: 36' Fuin
Sources
Comments