April 4 1956: Lazio Roma 1-0
- Simon Basten
- Apr 4
- 11 min read
Lazio Edge the Derby
Muccinelli’s Early Second-Half Strike Decides a Tense and Controversial Encounter
The season so far
After the mediocre 1954-55 season, Lazio realised that they had to do more as far as transfers were concerned. So, for the current campionato Lazio spent a lot of money. In came forwards Arne Selmosson and Lorenzo Bettini from Udinese plus Ermes Muccinelli from Juventus, defenders Giovanni Molino (Torino) and Nicola Lo Buono (Trani). Roberto Lovati and Franco Carradori returned from their loan spells at Torino and Palermo. Leaving Lazio were legends Aldo Puccinelli and Romolo Alzani as well as Per Bredesen, Vittorio Bergamo and Renato Spurio. Carlo Parola left active football but stayed as assistant to manager Luigi Ferrero. The technical director was still Roberto Copernico.
The beginning was bad. After the first half of the season Lazio were 13th just three points above the relegation zone. They had won five games but three away from home, including a great win in Milan against Inter. Jesse Carver, who had previously managed Juventus, Torino and Roma, had come in as new technical director in place of Copernico but had also taken over the manager role since Ferrero had resigned after just one game. In the second part of the season, the Biancocelesti had improved and they were 10th, with third place only three points away.
Today was the replay of the derby that had been postponed on April 4, amazingly due to snow!
The match: Wednesday, April 4, 1956, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio burst forward immediately with a move by Ermes Muccinelli, carried on by Pasquale Vivolo. The dash by the left inside-forward, shifted to the right, immediately put Roma in danger. Challenged by an opponent, Vivolo threaded the ball through to Lorenzo Bettini on the edge of the box. A moment of hesitation by the centre-forward followed, and then came a thunderous shot: Luciano Panetti dived and it hit the crossbar. The clock's hand had not yet reached the first minute. It was a promising start.
Other raids into both penalty areas led to no results other than the ball rolling over the line for goalkicks. The long lull that extinguished the initial spark was broken by Dino Da Costa (9’) with an individual move: a feint to evade his marker, a burst of speed, and a running shot from outside the area. The ball however passed well wide of the post. Arne Selmosson launched a counterattack and seemed to wriggle free, but then lost control of the ball. Bettini sprang forward to collect it, but shot poorly along the ground, and Panetti intercepted easily (11’).
There was applause for Nicola Lo Buono, who held off Alcide Ghiggia. An attack by Egisto Pandolfini followed, set up by Istvan Nyers. Despite being marked, the half-back managed to cross from the by-line: the result was an extremely dangerous ball that skimmed across the entire face of Lazio’s goal, just under the crossbar (15’).
The crowd warmed up over a foul by Renzo Sassi on Ghiggia. The resulting free kick was taken by Pandolfini, but Bob Lovati gathered the high dropping ball close to the post (18’). A cross from Adelmo Prenna on the left and a volley by Pandolfini as he fell flew over the bar (19’). A looping ball by Selmosson left Giosuè Stucchi trailing; Giacomo Losi’s short clearance followed, Vivolo lunged with an outstretched leg, and missed by a whisker (21’).
Roma earned their first corner in the 23rd minute, but it produced nothing. Another lull followed, with play confined to midfield and frequent mistakes. Timid attacking moves were roughly but easily broken up by the defences. Stucchi then tried his luck, coming forward and shooting from over twenty metres, but the ball traced a wide arc in the sky and sailed well over the Lazio goal (28’).
A foul by Stucchi on Selmosson drew public disapproval. Muccinelli took the free kick, laying it back to Sassi, whose driven shot at mid-height passed just wide of the far post (31’). A ricochet between Pandolfini and Primo Sentimenti V could have troubled Lovati, but he intervened in time. At 32’, Lazio wasted a chance: Renzo Burini crossed, Panetti and Vivolo jumped, the goalkeeper fell, and Muccinelli, from a tight angle, opted for power and blasted over an empty goal.
Another foul by Lo Buono on Ghiggia followed, prompting vigorous protests. Luigi Giuliano took the free kick from near the corner of the box, striking a well-calibrated high shot that gave many spectators the illusion of a goal. The ball struck the post—but on the outside. Lovati, in any case, had it covered (36’).
Selmosson produced a sharp move, weaving between two opponents and firing decisively from about twenty metres. Panetti stopped the rocket in two stages (40’). A dogged run by Bettini was cut short by Stucchi with a trip. Bettini remained on the ground in the box, but ref Vincenzo Orlandini ordered the free kick to be taken from the edge of the area. Nothing came of it (43’). A corner against Lazio followed, retaken, with the same result. Lovati then made a fine save for a corner from a powerful long-range shot by Prenna.
The half was not yet over. Costa combined with Ghiggia, whose crisp shot forced Lovati into a full-stretch dive to his right. Nyers returned the ball into the box, a scramble followed, and Ghiggia shot again, but Lovati—now fully warmed up—saved once more. The ball went out for a corner, but there was no time to take it: the half ended.
The second half resumed at a furious pace, just as the first had begun. Not thirty seconds had passed when Muccinelli took a free kick toward Vivolo, who returned it into space. Muccinelli sprinted onto it and struck a low diagonal shot that nestled in the net. Lazio had scored.
The Biancocelesti poured forward again into Roma’s box, and Amos Cardarelli faced Selmosson alone, succeeding with great calm. Another shot by Muccinelli was blocked by Stucchi. In the 49th minute, a Bettini solo ended with a twenty-metre shot that Panetti smothered on the ground.
Roma’s response then took shape. At 51’, Da Costa unleashed a thunderbolt from outside the area that went wide. The Giallorossi attack pressed on, and at 53’ a Da Costa–Adelmo Prenna move launched Ghiggia on the left, but his shot on the run sailed over. Lazio replied at 57’, with a looping ball from Vivolo volleyed by Bettini, but the effort was weak and Panetti gathered without trouble.
A storm broke at 60’. Roma flooded the opposing penalty area and, in the ensuing scramble, a ricochet produced a handball by Sentimenti V. Orlandini judged it involuntary, provoking furious and prolonged protests from the Roma players, who surrounded him. Play continued in a heated atmosphere, with the crowd enthusiastically joining in every dispute.
A corner against Lazio at 64’ was delayed when the flag broke and had to be repaired. Ghiggia eventually took the kick, Raoul Bortoletto attempted an overhead kick, but failed. Panetti made a daring sortie against Bettini at 65’. Two consecutive overhead clearances in Lazio’s box—first by Lo Buono on Ghiggia, then by Sassi—earned applause. At 67’, Panetti beat Muccinelli to a low cross with perfect timing.
Lazio’s goal came under serious threat at 68’. From a long Nyers throw-in three-quarters upfield, Lovati dived to smother the ball but lost control. Lo Buono just managed to clear, but Nyers immediately sent another cross. Under pressure, Lovati deflected it for a corner. An irresistible burst by Muccinelli at 70’ was halted abruptly.
Several minutes of frantic midfield play followed. At 74’, a clearance by Lo Buono that halted Costa allowed Bettini and Selmosson to break together on the counter. Panetti hesitated and slipped, but Bettini’s running shot went wide. A foul by Stucchi on Selmosson off the ball at 78’ was punished after brief argument. The first free kick was ordered to be retaken, and this time Burini struck a magnificent diagonal shot into the net. However, the referee emphatically disallowed it, wagging his finger: the free kick had been indirect.
Giuliano tried a long-range shot at 80’, but missed by a wide margin. At 81’, Bettini pounced on a poor headed clearance by Stucchi, attempted a high shot, but mis-hit it and sent the looping ball wide. The most dangerous moment for Lazio came at 82’: Pandolfini crossed from left to right, Nyers returned the ball from the opposite flank, and Ghiggia headed from close range. The ball grazed the base of the right post and went out.
A low cross by Bortoletto at 84’ prompted an instinctive diving punch by Lovati, sending the ball out for a corner. Roma threw everyone forward, especially Bortoletto, Stucchi, and Cardarelli. The pressure was intense, all the more so because Lazio once again retreated into the defensive shell that had previously cost them dearly against Internazionale.
Nerves were frayed. Another corner for Roma came at 86’, but Lo Buono went down after a clash with Nyers. After brief treatment, play resumed. Pandolfini floated the ball in, Prenna headed, Cardarelli struggled in the crowded area, but to no avail. At 89’, a statuesque Lovati punched clear amid a mêlée.
A counterattack followed: Selmosson burst into the area, struck the crossbar, Bettini lunged and collided with Panetti, and the ball ran through untouched. Bettini then shot high; Da Costa did the same. The match had long since exceeded regulation time, but stoppages for the handball dispute and Lo Buono’s injury still had to be accounted for.
There was still time for one final corner for Roma, which was cleared. At last, Orlandini blew the final whistle. The teams lined up to mixed reactions: whistles and applause alike. As always, in the end.
Who played for Lazio
Lovati, Molino, Lo Buono, Fuin, Sentimenti V, Sassi II, Muccinelli, Burini, Bettini, Vivolo, Selmosson
Manager: Carver
Who played for Roma
Panetti, Stucchi, Losi, Bortoletto, Cardarelli, Giuliano, Ghiggia, Pandolfini, Prenna, Da Costa, Nyers I
Manager: Sárosi
Referee: Orlandini
Goal: 46’ Muccinelli
What happened next
Third place was reached three games from the end of the season and then maintained (in the company of Inter).
Selmosson was the player with most appearances (34) and the leading goal scorer together with Muccinelli (10).
What happened in Serie A 1955-56
The scudetto in the previous season had been won by Milan with a four-point lead over Udinese, who would later be relegated for bribery. At the end of the first half of the season Milan had a four-point lead over Fiorentina. In the second part Bologna got closer to the Rossoneri but it did not last long. Milan always had a fairly comfortable lead throughout.
For the first time two games were televised live: Roma - Atalanta and Napoli - Fiorentina on December 31. Also interesting was the use of foreign referees in the later part of the campionato, mainly Austrian.
This season saw the debut of the European Cup, later to be called Champions League. At the start of the tournament, Real Madrid, Anderlecht, AC Milan, Rot-Weiss Essen, Reims, Djurgården, and AGF were the reigning champions of their respective national leagues. English champions Chelsea had initially agreed to take part and were drawn to face Djurgården of Sweden. However, following pressure from the FA, which viewed the competition as a distraction from domestic football, Chelsea withdrew. They were subsequently replaced by Poland’s Gwardia Warsaw. Additionally, Holland Sport, Honvéd, and AB declined the chance to represent the Netherlands, Hungary, and Denmark. Their places were taken by PSV Eindhoven, Vörös Lobogó, and AGF, respectively. Hibernian were invited instead of Aberdeen because they were the only Scottish team to have floodlights. Dynamo Moscow did not participate due to the climatic restrictions. The first-round pairings were fixed by the organisers. This would never happen again.
September & October
Fiorentina and Inter started off the season very well and raced ahead. The Viola destroyed Juventus 4-0 away in the third fixture, Inter won the Milan derby, and the two teams drew 0-0. The Nerazzurri were one point ahead until the last game of October when they lost against Sampdoria and Fiorentina drew at Vicenza. The Rome derby ended goalless as did the Turin one whilst Genoa beat Sampdoria. To note is the bad start by Juventus: no wins, five draws and two defeats.
Fiorentina 11, Inter 11, Torino 9, Milan 9, Napoli 9, Spal 9, Roma 8, Sampdoria 8, Novara 7, Vicenza 7, Lazio 6, Bologna 5, Atalanta 5, Genoa 5, Juventus 5, Padova 5, Pro Patria 4, Triestina 3
November & December
Fiorentina raced off and left the rest behind. Inter lost ground and in the five games between November and December made just two points, so now second place was held by Torino and surprise Vicenza. Juve improved a little bit as they won a few games. Triestina and Pro Patria already way behind.
In the leg of the first round of the European Cup Milan surprisingly lost 4-3 at home to Saarbruken but later on in the month won the return match 4-1 and qualified for the quarter finals.
Fiorentina 20, Torino 15, Vicenza 15, Napoli 14, Milan 13, Inter 13, Roma 13, Atalanta 13, Sampdoria 13, Spal 12, Padova 12, Juventus 12, Lazio 11, Genoa 11, Novara 10, Bologna 8, Triestina 6, Pro Patria 5
January
Fiorentina continued to have a five-point lead. Torino were overtaken by Milan in second place. Juventus improved considerably and were now fourth having beaten both Lazio and Inter. Below, Triestina had left the relegation zone, substituted by Bologna.
In the first leg of the European Cup quarter finals, Milan drew away with Rapid Wien.
Fiorentina 27, Milan 22, Torino 21, Juventus 20, Sampdoria 19, Inter 18, Roma 18, Padova 18, Vicenza 18, Napoli 17, Atalanta 17, Spal 17, Lazio 15, Genoa 14, Novara 13, Triestina 13, Bologna 12, Pro Patria 7
February
Fiorentina went +6 at the end of a month characterised by postponed games due to snow. Milan were now in solitary second place while below Bologna were in deep trouble with Pro Patria practically relegated.
In the second leg of the European Cup quarter finals, Milan demolished Rapid Wien 7-2 and qualified for the semis.
Fiorentina 33, Milan 27, Inter 23, Spal 22, Sampdoria 22, Torino 21*, Vicenza 21, Juventus 21, Roma 20, Atalanta 20, Lazio 19, Napoli 19, Novara 18, Genoa 18, Padova 18, Triestina 17, Bologna 12*, Pro Patria 7
* one game in hand
March
Fiorentina immediately went to +8 as they beat Inter away and Milan lost in Naples. Just ten games left and the Viola had practically won the scudetto. Torino won the derby “away”, Inter did the same while the Genoese clash ended goalless. The Rome derby was postponed due to snow!!! Below Bologna recovered a little bit and were currently on the same points as Novara.
Fiorentina 39, Milan 30, Inter 29, Spal 26, Roma 25*, Atalanta 25, Padova 25, Sampdoria 25, Juventus 24, Lazio 23*, Genoa 23, Torino 23, Vicenza 23, Napoli 22, Triestina 22, Bologna 19, Novara 19, Pro Patria 8
* one game in hand
April
By the end of the month Fiorentina were +11 with six games left. Lazio won the derby which had been postponed the previous month and crept up to fourth place one point behind Inter, third. Bologna had raced away to safety. The final relegation place looked as if it would be between Vicenza and Novara.
In the first leg of the European Cup semifinal Milan lost 4-2 away to Real Madrid.
Fiorentina 46, Milan 35, Inter 32, Lazio 31, Sampdoria 30, Spal 29, Roma 29, Atalanta 28, Padova 28, Triestina 28, Bologna 27, Juventus 27, Genoa 26, Napoli 26, Torino 26, Vicenza 24, Novara 22, Pro Patria 10
May & June
In the 29th fixture by drawing away with Triestina and Milan not winning away to Juventus, Fiorentina were champions. A marvellous season for them and first title. Milan came second with Inter and Lazio third. There was virtually no relegation battle as Novara were not able to put up much of a fight and they joined Pro Patria in Serie B. Udinese and Palermo were promoted. Top scorer in Serie A was Gino Pivatelli (Bologna) with 27 goals.
Milan beat Real Madrid in the second leg of the European Cup semifinal but the 2-1 was not enough to reach the final.
Fiorentina 53, Milan 41, Inter 39, Lazio 39, Bologna 37, Roma 35, Sampdoria 35, Padova 34, Spal 33, Genoa 33, Torino 33, Juventus 33, Vicenza 33, Napoli 32, Atalanta 31, Triestina 30, Novara 26, Pro Patria 15
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