August 23, 1991: Lazio-Real Madrid 1-1 (5-6 on penalties)

Dag Jenkins
Aug 23
11 min read

Good draw against blancos but penalty defeat

Lazio snatch last second draw to go to penalties but Pin misses to hand the Spaniards the Calleri Cup

Player of the day: Giovanni Stroppa

Also on this day:

August 23, 2009, Lazio Atalanta 1-0. A fatigued Lazio edge Atalanta with solitary Rocchi goal.
August 23, 2008, Lazio Benevento 5-1, Coppa Italia. Lazio struggle for almost an hour but helped by three own goals see off battling Benevento.

The season so far

The previous season Lazio had finished 11th in Serie A under manager Dino Zoff.

Zoff had been confirmed but this new season was largely influenced by a player who would not even be involved, English star Paul Gascoigne. Lazio had made a deal with Tottenham for Gazza but the Geordie midfielder had ruptured his own cruciate ligaments in his right knee with his infamous tackle in the FA Cup Final. His official arrival at Lazio would therefore be for the successive 1992-1993 season.

In the meantime, Lazio had mitigated the setback by signing rated German midfielder Thomas Doll from Hamburger SV. In had also come defender Gigi Corino (Triestina), midfielder Giovanni Stroppa (Milan) and striker Berardino Capocchiano (TSV Havelse).

Leaving Lazio were midfielders Sergio Domini (Brescia) and Pedro Troglio (Ascoli). The Argentinian had to make space for Doll, as there was still a three foreign player limit. Striker Alessandro Bertoni also left after two years (back home to Reggiana).

This was Lazio's 9th summer friendly and the second at the Olimpico. Lazio had played TSV 1958 Dasing 3-0, Seefeld 11-0, Hamburger SV 1-0, Czechoslovakia 1-1, Genoa 1-1, Rimini 2-0, Perugia 1-0 and Milan 0-2.

Serie A would start on September 1 against Parma at home while the Coppa Italia would start before, on August 28 away to Fidelis Andria.

Real Madrid had finished 3rd the previous season, under three different managers; John Toshack, Alfredo di Stefano and then Radomir Antić. Los Merengues had reached the quarterfinals of the European Cup (Spartak Moscow 1-3 on aggregate) but had won the Spanish Super Cup (Atlético Madrid 2-1 on aggregate). Top scorer was Emilio Butragueño with 25 goals (19 in Liga).

This season the manager was Antić again. The main new signings were: defender Ricardo Rocha (Sao Paulo), midfielders Robert Prosinečki (Red Star Belgrade) and Luis Enrique (Sporting Gijón).

Leaving were: defender Predrag Spasic (Osasuna), midfielder Joaquín Parra (Écija) and forward Sebastián Losada (Atlético Madrid).

The Liga would start on August 31.

A prestigious friendly game for Lazio this evening only five days before their first official match.

The match: Friday, August 23, 1991, Stadio Olimpico, Rome

A decent 35,000 crowd turned up, despite it being a friendly and in full holiday season. The game was also shown on national TV but with the exclusion of the Rome area. Paul Gascoigne was present in the stands adding to the excitement. He had previously been welcomed by 3,000 fans at Fiumicino Airport.

The game was officially being played for the Giorgio Calleri Trophy. Giorgio had taken over Lazio in 1986 with his brother Gian Marco but had passed away in 1991.

Lazio had two absences, defenders Raffaele Sergio and Roberto Soldà.

Real Madrid had to do without Emilio Buitragueño at the last minute as he had been hospitalised due to hives (urticaria) and Robert Prosinecki with muscular stiffness.

Lazio played in their yellow away strip while Real wore their classic white shirts.

The Madridistas dominated the first half hour. After only thirty seconds Nando Orsi had to save on Míchel. Three minutes later Francisco Villaroya and Rafael Gordillo were both unmarked in front of Orsi but wasted the chance. The Spaniards played at a slow pace with a myriad of passes but then suddenly verticalised finding space behind Lazio's defence.

Real had more shots just wide by Michel and Gheorghe Hagi and then Orsi had to rush out to anticipate Luis Enrique who was clear on goal. The Galician midfielder was then put through again and went round Orsi but pushed it too far.

Around the half hour Lazio finally stirred. First Ricardo Rocha almost put the ball in his own net but Francisco Buyo was alert, then Karl-Heinz Riedle had two right-footed attempts go wide and then Thomas Doll forced Buyo into a low save.

Half time came with Lazio pleased to still be on level terms but they had improved after a worrying and passive first thirty minutes.

There were no changes at the break. The game was more balanced now with Lazio attacking more and Real more cautious. Doll had a good effort saved by Buyo.

In the 60th minute Zoff took off Ruben Sosa and put on Giovanni Stroppa, while a minute later the visitors put on big midfielder Alfonso Aldana, to pair up with Luis Enrique, taking off veteran Gordillo.

In the 70th minute Real Madrid took the lead with a superb goal by Fernando Hierro. Michel crossed from the right and the Malagueño defender coordinated himself and sent an unstoppable volley past Orsi, 0-1.

The Merengues could have closed the game a few times, in particular in the 72nd minute when, following a Rufo Emiliano Verga mistake, Luis Enrique beat Orsi but did not hit it cleanly enough and this allowed Cristiano Bergodi to get back and clear it off the goal line.

A minute later Lazio hit the post when Doll, their liveliest player, struck the ball well but it hit the woodwork, then Buyo's heel and went out for a corner.

Both sides then started to make changes and the game also got tense and dirty. First the crowd reacted angrily to Aldana untying a Lazio scarf from the goal net and then Bergodi and Aldana got themselves sent off for some unnecessary pushing and shoving after the Spaniard had hacked down Stroppa.

It seemed all over but in the 94th minute the referee awarded the Biancocelesti a second indirect free kick for Buyo repeatedly and blatantly wasting time. Stroppa curled it low around the wall which included the keeper and rewarded Lazio with a penalty shootout. Final score Lazio 1 Real Madrid 1.

The penalty lottery under the Curva Nord then went the Spaniards way as Gabriele Pin missed the only penalty out of the series and handed the visitors the Giorgio Calleri Cup. Not the most prestigious trophy to go in their cabinet but it's always better to win these events than to lose.

An honourable result for Lazio but they had to improve their fitness levels and their defensive movements before things got serious. On the positive side the Riedle-Sosa-Doll trio had combined well, showing interesting potential, and Gazza had finally been seen at the Olimpico albeit only waving to the fans from the athletics track.

Who played for Lazio

Orsi, Bergodi, Bacci, Pin, Gregucci (75' Corino), Verga, F. Marchegiani, Doll (85' Melchiori), Riedle (73' Capocchiano), Sclosa, Sosa (60' Stroppa)

Manager: Zoff

Who played for Real Madrid

Buyo, Chendo, Villarroya, Ricardo Rocha (83' Tendillo), Sanchís, Hierro, Luis Enrique (74' Alfonso), Michel, Milla, Hagi (86' Maqueda), Gordillo (61' Aldana)

Manager: Antić

Referee: Ceccarini

Goals: 70' Hierro, 94' Stroppa

Red cards: 80' Bergodi and Aldana

Penalties:

RM-Michel (scored)
L-Stroppa(scored)
RM-Hierro (scored)
L-Melchiori (scored)
RM- Alfonso (scored)
L-Pin (missed-saved)
RM-Tendillo (scored)
L-Sclosa (scored)
RM- Milla (scored)

Lazio 5 Real Madrid 6

What happened next

Lazio finished 10th in Serie A. They won 11, drew 12 (including both derbies and Juventus home and away, all 1-1) and lost 11. So more defeats but also more victories and one extra point compared to the previous campaign. Top scorer was Ruben Sosa with 15 (13 in A, as Karl-Heinz Riedle). The following year Gazza was finally on his way.

In the Coppa Italia, Lazio got past Fidelis Andria 5-2 on aggregate but then lost 0-2 on aggregate to Torino.

Real Madrid finished 2nd in the Liga. After fixture 19 they replaced Antić with Leo Beenhakker and went into the last game of the season top of the table. They took a 2-0 lead away at Tenerife but then due to defensive errors collapsed, lost 2-3 and got overtaken by arch rivals Barcelona. I was in a Barcelona bar at the time watching it all on TV… priceless.

In the Copa del Rey they reached the final but lost to Atlético Madrid 0-2.

In the UEFA Cup, los blancos reached the semi-finals but were surprisingly knocked out by Torino 2-3 on aggregate. The cup was then won by Ajax.

Not a great season for the Madrileños.

In Italy the Scudetto was won by Fabio Capello's Milan for their 12th title. Packing their bags for the unenviable trip to Serie B were Ascoli, Cremonese, Verona and Bari.

Let’s talk about Giovanni Stroppa

Giovanni Stroppa was born in Mulazzano (Lodi-Lombardy), on January 24, 1968. He grew up on a farmhouse in the agricultural areas around Lodi.

His first club as a kid was Union Maluzzano from 1977 to 1984. In 1978 he had a trial with Inter but nothing came out of it.

In 1984 instead, he joined A.C Milan's youth sector. He was first played at centre-forward, with Paolo Maldini on the wing...but they soon changed positions.

In 1986 Stroppa was called up to the first team but only played in a few friendlies.

In 1987-88 he joined Monza on loan where he stayed two years. In the first, the Brianzoli won promotion from C1 to B under Pierluigi Frosio and the second finished 15th in Serie B. He played 71 league games with 5 goals. One of his teammates was, future Lazio, striker Pierluigi Casiraghi (1993-98).

In 1989 he returned to Milan. The manager was Arrigo Sacchi and the Rossoneri finished 2nd in Serie A but won the European Cup (Benfica 1-0), the European Super Cup (Barcelona 2-1 on aggregate) and the Intercontinental Cup (Atlético Nacional de Medellin 1-0). Stroppa played 17 league games with 2 goals (Cesena, Ascoli), 7 games in Coppa Italia, 5 in the European Cup with 1 goal (HJK-Helsinki) and the European Super Cup final. His teammates included former Lazio Mauro Tassotti (1976-80) and future Lazio, Diego Fuser (1992-98).

In 1990-91 he stayed on with Milan and they finished 2nd again. They did however win the European Super Cup (Sampdoria 3-1 on aggregate) and the Intercontinental Cup again (Olimpia from Paraguay 3-0, Stroppa scoring the third). Stroppa played 18 league games, 7 in Coppa Italia and both cup finals. He played alongside future Lazio Demetrio Albertini (2003-04).

In 1991-92 he joined Lazio. The manager was Dino Zoff and Lazio finished 10th in Serie A. Stroppa played 30 league games with 4 goals (Foggia, Ascoli, Verona, Fiorentina) and 3 in Coppa Italia with 1 goal (Fidelis Andria). He performed well but Gazza was on his way.

In 1992-93 Zoff stayed on and Lazio finished 5th, qualifying for Europe after 15 years. Stroppa played 20 league games and scored 1 goal (Sampdoria) and 5 games in Coppa Italia. This was his last season with Lazio.

In 1993 he joined Foggia in Serie A. The manager was Zdeněk Zeman and the "Satanelli" finished 9th. Stroppa played 30 league games and scored 8 goals (Piacenza, Udinese, Genoa x2, Lecce, Piacenza, Torino x2 ) and 4 games in Coppa Italia with 3 goals (Triestina, Cesena, Parma). A good season for both Foggia's "Zemanlandia" and Stroppa. His teammates included former Lazio, Paolo Mandelli (1986-87), Gigi Di Biagio (1988-89) and future Lazio, José Antonio Chamot (1994-98).

In 1994 he returned to Milan for the second time. The manager was Fabio Capello and the Rossoneri finished 4th. They reached the European Cup final but lost to Ajax 0-1. They however won the Italian Supercoppa (Sampdoria on penalties) and the European Super Cup (Arsenal 2-0 on aggregate) but lost the Intercontinental Cup final (Vélez Sarsfield 0-2). Stroppa played 19 league games with 3 goals (Cremonese, Brescia, Inter), 4 games in Coppa Italia and 7 in Champions League with 1 goal (Salzburg). His teammates included former Lazio, Mario Ielpo (1980-84, 1985-87) and Paolo Di Canio (1984-86, 1987-1990, 2004-2006).

In 1995 Stroppa joined Udinese. The manager was Alberto Zaccheroni and the Friulani finished 11th. Stroppa played 31 league games with 1 goal (Juventus). His teammates included former Lazio, Raffaele Sergio (1989-92) and future Lazio, Gianluca Giannichedda (2001-05).

In 1996-97 Stroppa stayed in Udine and the Bianconeri finished 5th (UEFA Cup). Stroppa played 14 league games with 2 goals (Milan, Verona) plus 1 game in Coppa Italia.

In 1997 he joined Piacenza. He stayed two and a half seasons, all in Serie A. The "Papaveri" finished 13th, 12th and 18th (relegated). His managers were Vincenzo Guerini, Giuseppe Materazzi and then in the third year a chaotic change between Gigi Simoni (1-16), Maurizio Braghin (17), Daniele Bernazzini and Maurizio Braghin together (18-34). In his two and a half seasons Stroppa played 63 league games with 3 goals (Bari, Roma twice, in two draws) plus 9 games in Coppa Italia with 2 goals (Inter, Lecce). In his time in Emilia his teammates included Lazio connections; Matteo Sereni (2003-06), Simone Inzaghi (1999-2007, 2008-2010), Renato Buso (1996-97). Two and a half because in January 2000 he joined Brescia.

Brescia were in Serie B under Nedo Sonetti. The "Rondinelle" (The Little Swallows) won promotion and Stroppa played 17 league games with 3 goals (Monza, Ternana, Chievo). His teammates included, future Lazio, the Filippini twins (2004-05).

In 2000 Stroppa joined Genoa in Serie B. The Rossoblu got through five managers… starting with Bruno Bolchi and finishing with Franco Scoglio. The "Grifone" (The Griffin) came 12th. The following season Scoglio started but was followed by Edy Reja and then Claudio Onofri and Genoa finished 12th again. In these two chaotic years Stroppa played 59 league games with 5 goals (Monza, Sampdoria, Vicenza, Como, Crotone). The highlight was beating Sampdoria, on April 2 2001, with Stroppa getting the second goal.

In 2002 he joined Alzano Virescit, from near Bergamo, in C1. The Bianconeri were relegated under two different managers, Giampaolo Rossi and Davide Roncaglia. Stroppa played 25 league games with 5 goals. The club then went bust.

In 2003-04 he played a season with Avellino in Serie B. The Irpini were relegated under Zdenek Zeman. Stroppa played 33 league games with 1 goal.

In 2004-05 he had a season back at Foggia in Serie C1. The manager was former Roma midfielder Giuseppe Giannini and then Massimo Morgia. The Rossoneri finished 10th and Stroppa only played 9 league games with 1 goal as in January he left and joined Chiari near Brescia.

This would be his last club and season. Chiari played at regional level and Stroppa played 7 league games 2 goals.

He then retired at 33.

Stroppa won 4 caps for Italy in 1993-94 when he was at Foggia. He also played 7 games for the U21s with 3 goals and won a European Championship bronze in 1990.

After retiring Stroppa started a coaching career. His first job was with Südtirol in Serie D and the "Rot-Weiß" (Red and Whites) finished 7th.

From August 2012 to November he had a spell at Pescara in Serie A but he resigned after 3 wins, 2 draws and 8 defeats in the league. His successor was Lazio legend, Cristiano Bergodi.

From August 2013 to December he was with Spezia in Serie B. He was replaced after 6 wins, 6 defeats and 6 defeats in the league.

In April 2014 he went back to Südtirol in Lega Pro (3rd tier) and stayed on the following year, finishing 10th.

In 2016 he returned to Foggia as manager in Lega Pro. He won promotion back to Serie B and then finished 9th in B the following year.

In 2018 he joined Crotone in Serie B. He was sacked after 9 games but was called back from the 19th game onwards. Crotone finished 12th. The following year the "Squali" (The Sharks) won promotion to Serie A for the second time in their history. In 2020-21 he was sacked in March, after only 3 league wins, and the Pitagorici were eventually relegated.

In 2021 he returned to Monza in Serie B as manager. He managed to get the Brianzoli promoted but was sacked the following season after 6 winless league games.

In 2024-25 he was at Cremonese in Serie B. The Grigiorossi finished 4th but won promotion to Serie A via the playoffs (Spezia 3-2 on aggregate in the final). He then left and joined Venezia in Serie B for the 2025-26 season.

Stoppa was an attacking midfielder. He could play in several roles, he started as an attacking midfielder or supporting striker but also played as a winger, central midfielder and at the end of his career as a deep lying playmaker. He was a dynamic and extremely talented player. He was creative and skilful and known for his ability to set up goal scoring chances for his attacking partners.

He played 242 games in Serie A with 24 goals. He won a European Cup, 3 European Supercups, 2 Intercontinental Cups and 1 Italian Supercoppa.

At Lazio he stayed two seasons. He played a total of 58 games with 6 goals. He was an exciting and popular player but then with the arrival of Paul Gascoigne he got less space and moved on but Laziali have positive memories of him.