Game 14, Serie A
Sunday, December 29, 1946
Stadio Comunale, Vicenza
Vicenza Lazio 1-2
Vicenza attacked for most of the match but Lazio resisted the waves and clinched victory in Veneto.
This season Lazio after a winning start away at Bari had then lost the next three. At this stage they had 10 points after 4 wins, 2 draws and 7 defeats (including the derby).
The match
The day was sunny but the field was slippery from the previous day's rain. Vicenza were slight favourites but Lazio fancied their chances against opposition only one point ahead in the table.
The hosts started strongly and after only two minutes Giuseppe Caleri had an effort blocked by Uber Gradella. The Lazio keeper repeated himself not even a minute later on a shot by Arnaldo Cadei. In the 22nd minute a dangerous header by Bruno Quaresima went just wide. Lazio finally came out of their shell after 25 minutes when Costantino De Andreis went close to putting them in the lead. More chances for Vicenza followed with Quaresima and Serafino Conti. In the 44th minute, however, Lazio scored against the run of play. A solo effort by De Andreis who burst down the wing, cut inside into the box and beat keeper Giuseppe Romano with a clinical finish. So, despite a lot of pressure and more chances for Vicenza, the halftime score read Vicenza 0 Lazio 1.
The first twenty minutes of the second half again saw the hosts have more possession and territorial superiority but without creating any real scoring opportunities. In the 20th minute, however, they drew level. A quick one-two between Quaresima and Caleri was finished off by Caleri with a powerful strike.
At this point the home crowd really got behind the Biancorossi and Vicenza went for the winner. Their forwards however were imprecise and unable to transform the pressure into goals. Sensing Vicenza's toothless forward line's inefficiency Lazio became increasingly confident they could possibly win this for themselves. Salvador Gualtieri and Enrique Flamini in particular pushed Lazio forward more often and their belief paid off.
In the 79th minute Gualtieri fed Bruno Ispiro who then dribbled past several players and provided a perfect assist for Aldo Puccinelli who struck the ball in from close range.
Ten minutes to go and 2-1 to Lazio. The hosts, who had spent so much energy for such little reward, had nothing more to give. They never really threatened Gradella again and Lazio earned a precious, hard fought away victory.
Who played for Vicenza
Romano, Parena, Foscarini, Campana, Grosso, Sandroni, Cadei, Conti, Quaresima, Carraro, Caleri
Manager: Pietro Spinato
Who played for Lazio
Gradella, Cassano, Carton, Alzani, Gualtieri, Brunetti, Puccinelli, Magrini, Ispiro, Flamini, De Andreis
Manager: Cargnelli
Referee: Pizziolo
Goals: 44' De Andreis, 65' Caleri, 79' Puccinelli
Sources