April 9, 1995: Lazio-Reggiana 2-0
- Dag Jenkins
- 1 day ago
- 9 min read
Gazza and Beppe-Gol back and kicking
The two stars return and help Lazio beat lowly Reggiana
The season so far
The previous season Lazio had finished 3rd and again qualified for the UEFA Cup. Owner Sergio Cragnotti, however, decided it was time for a change. Out went Dino Zoff's conservative style of play and in came "Zemanlandia" with new manager Zdenek Zeman, who had impressed at Foggia. Zoff was kept on as president.
The Bohemian brought Argentinian defender José Chamot with him and was reunited with winger Roberto Rambaudi (Atalanta). Lazio also added midfielder Giorgio Venturin (Torino) to their squad.
Leaving Lazio were defenders and fan favourite Luigi Corino (Brescia), Luca Luzardi (Napoli) plus well serving midfielder Claudio Sclosa (Cremonese-on loan).
So far Lazio had been somewhat inconsistent, capable of emphatic and spectacular victories (Napoli and Padova 5-1, Foggia 7-1, Milan 4-0, Fiorentina 8-2) but also disappointing defeats (Roma 3-0, Sampdoria 3-1 away, Bari at home 2-1). After 25 matches the Biancocelesti had won 12, drawn 5 and lost 8, so had 34 points and were 5th. This of course being the first season awarding three points for a victory. A week earlier Lazio had drawn 0-0 away to Cremonese.
In the Coppa Italia Lazio were in the middle of a double legged semi-final tie against Juventus. On March 8 the Biancocelesti had lost 0-1 at home and the return game in Turin would be in two days’ time, on April 11. To reach this stage Lazio had defeated Modena 9-1, Piacenza 6-4 and Napoli 3-1, all on aggregate.
In the Coppa Italia Lazio were in the middle of a double legged semi-final tie against Juventus. On March 8 the Biancocelesti had lost 0-1 at home and the return game in Turin would be in two days’ time, on April 11. To reach this stage Lazio had defeated Modena 9-1, Piacenza 6-4 and Napoli 3-1, all on aggregate.
In the UEFA Cup Lazio were somewhat unluckily knocked out by Borussia Dortmund in the quarter finals. Lazio were first clearly penalised by Hungarian referee Vágner's controversial decisions and then punished by former Lazio Karl-Heinz Riedle's last minute winner, giving the Westphalians a 2-1 aggregate victory. Previously Lazio had eliminated Dinamo Minsk 4-1, Trelleborg 1-0 and Trabzonspor 4-2 all on aggregate.
Reggiana had finished 14th in Serie A the previous season, under Beppe Marchioro. The highlights were winning 1-0 both away to Milan and at home against Inter. The games with Lazio ended 0-0 in Reggio Emilia and 2-0 to Lazio in Rome. The top scorer was Michele Padovano with 10 league goals. Their star signing Paolo Futre had only played one league game due to injuries.
This season Marchioro was initially kept on but then replaced after the 8th fixture (D1, L7) by Enzo Ferrari. The main new signings were goalkeeper Francesco Antonioli (Pisa), defenders, Lazio legend Angelo Gregucci (Torino), Enzo Gambaro (Fiorentina - in November), midfielders Nando Di Napoli (Milan - on loan), Sunday Oliseh (RC Liégeois), Massimiliano Brambilla (Monza - in November) and Alessandro Mazzola (Catanzaro - in November) plus forwards Igor Simutenkov (Dinamo Moscow - in November), Rui Águas (Estrela Amadora - in November), Nunzio Falco (Pro Sesto) and Alex Taribello (Lecco).
Leaving Emilia were goalkeeper Cláudio Taffarel (Atlético Mineiro), defenders Stefano Torrisi (Torino) and Luigi Sartor (Vicenza - end of loan), midfielders Giuseppe Scienza (Torino), Giuseppe Accardi (Venezia - in November), Dario Morello (Bologna), Christian Lantignotti (Cagliari), Dorin Mateuț (Dinamo Bucarest - in November)), Mauro Picasso (Ancona) plus forwards Johnny Ekström, Michele Pietranera (Crevalcore) and Davide Dionisi (Como - end of loan in November).
Reggiana were currently 17th on 14 points and already practically doomed (14 from safety). The Granata had won 3, drawn 5 (including Lazio 0-0) and lost 17.
In the Coppa Italia they reached the 3rd round, losing to Juventus 2-3 on aggregate (0-2, 2-1). The Granata had previously defeated Pro Sesto 2-0 away and Brescia 1-0 at home.
A must win game for Lazio today against a team without hope or motivation.
The match: Sunday, April 9, 1995, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
A sunny day in the capital attracted just over 45,000 to the Olimpico.
Lazio were without defenders Cristiano Bergodi, Giuseppe Favalli and Roberto Cravero plus midfielders Diego Fuser and Aron Winter but welcomed back Paul Gascoigne and Beppe Signori. Gazza had last played over a year ago while the striker had been missing since February 28. The bald and exceptionally slim Englishman started while the Lombard was on the bench.
Reggiana had absences in defender Massimo Brambilla, midfielder Massimiliano Esposito and forward Michele Padovano but had Paolo Futre back after five months.
Not much happened in the first twenty minutes apart from a few nice touches and dribblings by Gazza.
The first real chance fell to Alen Boksic who freed himself well in the 20th minute but shot against the keeper.
In the 31st minute Futre showed the Granata what they had been missing with some neat skills and the ball deflected by Paolo Negro reached Nunzio Falco but his shot was walled by Giorgio Venturin.
In the 42nd minute Lazio had their biggest chance when Roberto Rambaudi had only the keeper to beat but managed to hit him. Half time Lazio 0 Reggiana 0.
Lazio came back on more determined and took the lead in the 54th minute. Roberto Di Matteo's through ball put Rambaudi in front of the keeper again but this time he went around him on the right and slotted the ball in, 1-0.
At this point Gigi Casiraghi went off and was replaced by the returning Signori who was welcomed by enthusiastic applause.
Signori had a shot in the 57th minute but it was deflected behind for a corner.
On the hour mark the visitors made their first change bringing on Portuguese forward Rui Águas for Falco.
Lazio seemed more relaxed and in control now. In the 64th minute a Boksic header was saved by Francesco Antonioli as was a Gazza freekick two minutes later. A minute later a Signori volley went just over the bar.
In the 72nd minute Lazio changed a defender bringing on Mauro Bonomi for Roberto Bacci.
In the same minute Gazza had a glorious chance on a Signori cross but the Geordie's touch lacked the necessary power.
The second goal came in the 76th minute. Rambaudi fed Signori who was challenged by popular former Lazio defender Angelo Gregucci but the blonde striker managed to let off a right-footed strike which went up into the roof of the net, 2-0.
Reggiana then took off 18-year-old forward Alex Taribello and replaced him with defender Gianfranco Parlato.
The game was won and Lazio could have increased their lead in the last minute but Signori's deflected effort hit the post. Final score Lazio 2 Reggiana 0.
A routine win for Lazio who had struggled a little in the first half but once they got the breakthrough never looked like relinquishing their lead.
A good three points and with the added positive news of Gazza and Signori's returns. The former Tottenham player had delighted the fans with some clever touches while the Italian had wasted no time in getting back on the scoresheet.
Lazio were still 5th on 44 points but now had a three-point cushion on 6th place (now Inter on 41 as Fiorentina had drawn 2-2 at Bari).
Reggiana were still 17th on 14 points (14 from safety, Foggia on 28). Not officially relegated but with eight games to go realistically their only objective was not to end up bottom (Brescia on 12).
Who played for Lazio
Marchegiani, Bacci (72' Bonomi), Nesta, Di Matteo, Negro, Chamot, Rambaudi, Venturin, Boksic, Gascoigne, Casiraghi (55' Signori)
Manager: Zeman
Who played for Reggiana
Antonioli, Cherubini, Gambaro, De Napoli, Gregucci, De Agostini, Falco (60' Rui Aguas), Oliseh, Taribello (77' Parlato), Futre, Sgarbossa
Substitutes: Sardini, Masi, Zanutta
Manager: Ferrari
Referee: Messina
Goals: 53' Rambaudi, 76' Signori
What happened next
Lazio continued strongly and finished 2nd with Parma behind champions Juventus. In the next 8 games they won 6 (including Roma 2-0, Inter 4-1 at home and Juventus 3-0 away), drew 1 and lost 1. They never really challenged for the scudetto (10 points behind) but runners up was still a prestigious position (although only the league winners still qualified for champions league). In total the Biancocelesti won 19, drew 6 and lost 9, finishing on 63 points. They had the best attack (69 goals) and the best goal difference (+35). The top scorer was Signori with 21 goals (17 in the league).
In Coppa Italia the Biancocelesti lost the return match 1-2 in Turin. Juventus then lifted the cup defeating Parma 3-0 on aggregate.
All in all, a promising first year for Zeman and entertainment guaranteed for Lazio fans.
Reggiana predictably were relegated finishing 17th on 18 points. In the remaining games they won 1, drew 1 and lost 6. In the last three games (W1, D1, L1) Cesare Vitale took over from Ferrari. The top scorer was Michele Padovano with 7 league goals.
As mentioned Juventus became champions for the 23rd time while Reggiana, Brescia, Foggia and Genoa slumped down to Serie B. Foggia unfortunately have not been back since and only Genoa are currently in the top flight.
Let talk about Paulo Futre
Jorge Paulo dos Santos Futre was born in Montijo, Portugal, on February 28, 1966.
He was formed as a footballer in the Sporting Lisbon youth sector.
In 1983-84 he joined the first team squad under Josef Vengloš. The Leões finished 3rd and Futre played 29 games (21 in league) with 3 goals.
In 1984 he moved further north and joined Porto. He stayed three successful seasons, winning two league titles (1985, 1986), a European Cup (1987) and the Portuguese Super Cup twice (1984, 1986). He played 118 games with 33 goals. In 1986 and 1987 he was Portuguese player of the year. His manager was Artur Jorge.
Futre was now considered a European star and in 1987 moved to Spain and joined Atletico Madrid. He stayed six seasons with the Colchoneros and won the Copa del Rey twice (1991, 1992). He played a total of 205 games with 52 goals. The Rojiblancos finished 3rd, 4th, 4th, 2nd, 3rd and 6th. His managers included; Cesar Luis Menotti, Ron Atkinson, Colin Addison, Javier Clemente, Joaquin Peiró, Tomislav Ivić and Luis Aragonés. In his last season he started to have physical problems and played less.
In 1992 he returned to Lisbon but joined Benfica. He only played 13 total games (11 in league) but scored 5 goals. The Eagles finished 2nd in the league but won the cup, Taça de Portugal. His manager was first Tomislav Ivić and then Toni.
In 1993-94 Futre played for Marseille but only made 8 league appearances with 2 goals and left in the winter market session. Les Olympiens eventually finished 2nd under Marc Bourrier. His teammates included future Lazio Alen Boksic (1993-96, 1997-2000) plus Fabien Barthez, Jocelyn Angloma, Marcel Desailly, Didier Deschamps and Rudi Völler.
In November 1993 he joined Reggiana in Serie A but an injury kept him out of action for practically the whole season. He played 1 league game with 1 goal (Cremonese) but got injured on his debut. The Granata finished 14th under Giuseppe Marchioro. Futre stayed in Reggio Emilia the following season and played more, 13 games (12 in A) with 4 goals (Genoa, Parma, Cagliari, Cremonese) but still had injuries. Reggiana had a bad season and ended up relegated under three different managers.
In 1995 he joined Milan who hoped he could remain injury free and find again his old spark. He did not, only making 1 league appearance. Milan however won the Scudetto under Fabio Capello.
In 1996 he moved to England and played for West-Ham United for a season. He again did not play regularly, 9 league appearances. The Hammers finished 14th in the Premier League, under Harry Redknapp.
In 1997 Futre returned to Atletico Madrid. He played 10 league games under Radomir Antic and the Indios finished 7th and reached the UEFA Cup semi-finals (Lazio 0-1). He played alongside future Lazio Christian Vieri (1998-99).
In 1998 he went for the Japanese experience and signed for the Yokohama Flügels. He played a total of 16 games with 3 goals. The Flugels finished 7th but won the Emperor's Cup. His manager was former Barcelona Carles Rexach.
He then retired at 32, worn down by physical issues.
After retiring he had a spell with Atletico Madrid as sporting director between 2000 and 2003.
For Portugal he played 41 games with 6 goals (Switzerland, Greece, Malta, Malta, Scotland, Estonia). He took part in one World Cup in Mexico 1986 but Portugal were eliminated in the group phase despite beating England 1-0.
Futre was a great footballer but in the long run his body did not support his talent. He was an attacking midfielder. A skilful, left-footed player who could also play up front. He was technical, with great acceleration and outstanding dribbling skills. He had good years at Sporting Lisbon, Porto and Atlético Madrid before his physique and luck turned their backs on him. In 1987 he won the European Cup as a protagonist (9 games, 2 goals) and was 2nd, behind Ruud Gullit, in the Golden Ball award.
A huge talent but unlucky.
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