August 9, 1997: Feyenoord - Lazio 2-2

Dag Jenkins
Aug 9
9 min read

Koeman's day but Lazio impress

Ronald Koeman plays last ever game while the Biancocelesti get down to business and get a positive 2-2 draw

Also on this day: August 9, 1992: Schalke 04 Lazio 1-3. Two goals by Teutonic striker Riedle give Lazio victory in Germany

The season so far

The previous season had seen Dino Zoff take over from Zdenek Zeman in January and earn a 4th place finish. Giuseppe Signori's 15 goals had helped Lazio conquer a UEFA Cup place and make it a positive season.

This year however, there had been a big change. Lazio had a new manager in Swede Sven-Goran Eriksson, who arrived in the summer from Sampdoria.

There had been other major changes to the squad too. In had come goalkeeper Marco Ballotta (Reggiana), full back Giuseppe Pancaro (Cagliari), midfielders Matias Almeyda (Sevilla) and Vladimir Jugovic (Juventus) plus forwards Alen Boksic (back from Juventus) and Roberto Mancini (Sampdoria).

The players who left were South-African defender Mark Fish (Bolton), midfielders Roberto Baronio (on loan to Vicenza), and Alessandro Iannuzzi (Lecce) plus forwards Marco Di Vaio (Salernitana) and Igor Protti (Napoli-on loan).

This was Lazio's 7th summer friendly: Fassa Calcio 14-0, Trento 6-0, Venezia 2-2, Olympiakos 3-2, Gremio 2-0 (45 minutes) and Fiorentina 1-1 (45 minutes).

The Serie A would start on August 31 (Napoli at home) while the Coppa Italia would get going on September 3 (first away leg at Fidelis Andria). Lazio's European debut would be on September 16 (away leg at Vitória Guimarães).

Feyenoord Rotterdam had finished 2nd in the Eredivisie. The Dutch side had reached the 3rd round of the UEFA Cup but were eliminated by Tenerife 2-4 on aggregate. The manager was former Anderlecht legend, Arie Haan. Top scorer was Argentine Pablo Sánchez with 17 (16 in league). Some famous players in the squad were; Ronald Koeman, Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Henrik Larsson.

This season the manager was still Haan. The main new signings were midfielder Paul Bosvelt and forward Julio Cruz (River Plate).

The Eredivisie was due to start on August 20 (away to Roda JC) while their debut in the Champions League preliminary would be on August 13 at home to Jazz from Finland.

The match: Saturday, August 9, 1997, De Kuip Stadium, Rotterdam

A good crowd turned up for this friendly and it was not only to see Lazio, legendary defender Ronald Koeman was retiring and this was his last match. Johan Cruijff and Marco Van Basten were among the many former coaches and teammates present to show their appreciation for the Dutch defender's great career.

An emotional occasion but also a prestigious European clash between two ambitious teams.

Lazio went for a strong line-up but with Beppe Signori on the bench.

Lazio started the game well and with authority. In the 10th minute Vladimir Jugovic, set up by Alen Boksic, shaved the post with a right-footed effort. A few minutes later it was Jugovic again who put in a dangerous shot cum cross which was slapped away by Jerzy Dudek. The Polish keeper then just anticipated Gigi Casiraghi from heading in from a Roberto Mancini cross.

Lazio were in control and it was only in the 22nd minute that "De club van det volk" (The people's club) had their first shot at goal with Kees Van Wonderen.

In the 41st minute both sides made a substitution, for the hosts Korneen came on for Van Bronckhorst while for Lazio Beppe Signori replaced a positive but already booked and irritable Boksic.

In the 42nd minute Koeman went off to a standing ovation from the entire stadium. An end to a career which included, a European Championship with Holland, 8 league titles (Ajax 1, PSV 3, Barcelona 4), 4 domestic cups (Ajax 1, PSV 2, Barcelona 1), 2 Champions Leagues (PSV 1, Barcelona 1 with winning goal in final), 3 domestic Super Cups (Barcelona 3) and a UEFA Super Cup (Barcelona).

At halftime Lazio replaced Diego Fuser with Pavel Nedved.

The second half started with a bang and two penalties. In the 48th minute Matías Almeyda fouled Pablo Sanchez and Julio Cruz scored the spot kick while only a minute later Bernard Schuiteman pulled down Casiraghi and specialist Signori made no mistake, 1-1.

On the hour mark Lazio made another three changes and for some minutes the Biancocelesti seemed in confusion.

The Rotterdammers took advantage and in the 62nd minute went in front. The defence had problems clearing and Paul Bosvelt drilled home and beat Luca Marchegiani, 2-1.

The lead again did not last long. Nedved on the left saw Jugovic making a run into the middle and found the Serb unmarked with a perfect cross which he headed low into the corner, 2-2.

Five more substitutions followed for Lazio and one more for Feyenoord.

The game however continued to be entertaining and it was Lazio who went closest to winning it.

Dudek twice denied Signori and then pulled off a brilliant save on a solo Nedved move and shot.

Lazio finished strongly but the score line did not change again. Final result: Feyenoord 2 Lazio 2.

A good training game for Lazio against a competitive European side on an emotional evening. Almeyda and Jugovic had impressed in particular and looked like excellent additions to Lazio's midfield for the upcoming season.

Who played for Feyenoord

Dudek, Boateng, Koeman (42' Bosvelt), Graff, Van Wonderen, Connoly, Van Bronckhorst (41' Korneen), Fraeser, Van Gastel (78' Paciorek), Cruz, Sanchez

Manager: Haan

Who played for Lazio

Marchegiani, Pancaro (59' Negro), Nesta (78' Gottardi), Lopez (78' Grandoni), Chamot (59' Favalli), Fuser (46' Nedved), Almeyda (66' Venturin), Jugovic (78' Buso), Mancini (78' Marcolin), Casiraghi (59' Rambaudi), Boksic (41' Signori)

Manager: Eriksson

Referee: Luinge

Goals: 48' Cruz (pen), 49' Signori (pen), 62' Bosvelt, 66' Jugovic

What happened next

Despite beating Napoli 2-0 on their debut, Lazio had a hesitant start to their league campaign and in the first eleven games won 4 (including Napoli and a derby 3-1 triumph in 10 men), drew 3 (including Milan and Inter away both 1-1) and lost 4. They then picked up with two consecutive wins (Brescia and Vicenza).

A negative note was club legend Signori leaving in the autumn due to disagreements with Eriksson over lack of playing time.

Lazio's good form then continued for much of the year. In the next 14 games they won 10 (including Milan 2-1, Inter 3-0 and the second derby 2-0) and drew 4. Lazio challenged for the title until a precise date, April 5. They played leaders Juventus, got beaten 1-0 and never recovered. In the last 6 matches they managed to muster only one point and ended up in a disappointing 7^th place.

Strange but true however it turned out to be a season to remember. They beat hated city rivals 4 times! Twice in the league and twice in the Coppa Italia, a record which has yet to be rivalled.

They also had an excellent European campaign. They reached the UEFA Cup Final in Paris. On the way they eliminated Vitória Guimarães (6-1), Rotor (3-0), Rapid Vienna (3-0), Auxerre (3-2) and Atlético Madrid (1-0). A tired Lazio were then beaten 3-0 by Ronaldo's Inter at the Parc des Princes.

It was in the domestic cup, the Coppa Italia, that they lived their finest hour. They knocked out Fidelis Andria (6-2) Napoli (4-3), Roma (4-1, 2-1) and in the semi-final Juventus (3-2).

The final against Milan was also still played over two legs, home and away. The first went to Milan 1-0 with an 89^th minute George Weah winner. The return match in Rome seemed to be heading in Milan's favour too when a Demetrio Albertini freekick put the Rossoneri 1-0 up just before half time. A stirring second half performance however turned the final around. Goals by Gottardi, Jugovic (pen) and captain Nesta gave Lazio a dramatic 3-1 victory and after 24 years gave the Biancocelesti long awaited silverware.

So, a European Final, 4 derby wins and a domestic cup after thirty years definitely made it a season to cherish.

Feyenoord finished 4th in the Eredivisie. Leo Beenhaker took over October 29. In the Champions League they qualified but then did not get through the group phase; 3 wins (Košice 2-0 and 1-0, Juventus 2-0 at home) and 3 defeats (Manchester United 1-2 and 1-3, Juventus 1-5 away). Top scorer was Julio Cruz with 19 goals (14 in league).

The following season Feyenoord would win the league title ('98-99).

Lazio would cross paths again with Feyenoord in the Champions League (1999-2000) and in the Europa League (2022-23).

Koeman went on to have a successful coaching career, Dudek become a Liverpool hero, Van Bronckhorst a trophy winning career (Rangers, Arsenal, Barcelona and then Feyenoord again) while Cruz would play for Lazio at the end of his career.

Let’s talk about Vladimir Jugović

Vladimir Jugovic third from left kneeling

Vladimir Jugovic was born in Trstenik (Yugoslavia), on August 30, 1969. He is of Serbian nationality.

He is a product of the Red Star Belgrade youth sector. He made his debut in 1989 and was then sent on loan to Rad Belgrade where he played 16 games with 7 goals.

In 1990 he was back with Red Star and over the next two seasons played 99 games with 15 goals. In this period, he won two Yugoslav leagues, a European Cup (defeating Olympique Marseille) and an Intercontinental Cup. In the world club tournament, he won Best Player Award and scored a brace versus Chilean Colo-Colo.

In 1992 he arrived in Serie A. He signed for Sven-Goran Eriksson's Sampdoria. He had an excellent first year playing 35 games and scoring 10 goals. He would stay with the Blucerchiati for three seasons making a total of 100 appearances with 21 goals. In 1994 he won the Coppa Italia (Samp defeated Ancona 6-1 on aggregate).

In 1995 he moved to Juventus for two years. He played 77 games with 10 goals. It was a successful period as the "Vecchia Signora" (The Old Lady) won a Scudetto (1997), a Supercoppa (1995), a Champions League (he took the winning penalty in the shootout versus Ajax in 1996), an Intercontinental Cup (1996) and a UEFA Super Cup (1996).

In 1997 he joined Lazio and was reunited with Sven-Goran Eriksson and Roberto Mancini from his Sampdoria days. His stay at Lazio was brief but intense. He had a positive season. He played 27 league games with 2 goals (Bari, Sampdoria), 9 in Coppa Italia with 3 goals (Roma x 2, Milan) and 6 in the UEFA Cup with 1 goal (Atletico Madrid).

He formed a good midfield with Venturin, Nedved, Fuser and Marcolin. He scored penalties in both the cup derbies against Roma (4-1, 2-1) and again a penalty in the return leg of the final against Milan. With the score on 1-1, and Lazio needing two more goals, Jugovic took the responsibility and blasted a central shot past Rossi. Lazio went on to win 3-1 with a Nesta winner and lifted their first trophy for 24 years.

He was also a protagonist in Lazio's run to the UEFA Cup Final. He scored the decisive goal in the away leg of the semi-final against Atletico Madrid. Alas Lazio then lost the final in Paris against Inter.

After only a year in Rome Jugovic moved to the "Colchonero" side of Madrid and joined Atletico, while Christian Vieri travelled in the opposite direction.

In Madrid too, he would only stay a year. He played 17 games in the Liga with 3 goals, 2 in Copa del Rey with 2 goals and 8 in the Uefa Cup with 2 goals. Atletico changed managers twice (Arrigo Sacchi to Carlos Aguiar to Radomir Antic) and came 13th in the Liga. They again reached the semi-final of the UEFA Cup (losing to eventual winners Parma) and were beaten finalists in the Copa del Rey (Valencia 3-0). Not a great year for the "Colchoneros"

In 1999-2000 he was back in Italy with Inter. He stayed two years with the Nerazzurri; 39 games in Serie A (3 goals), 4 in Coppa Italia, 6 in Europe and 1 in the Italian Supercoppa (lost 4-3 against Lazio in 2000). He played under Marcello Lippi (later to win the World Cup with Italy) and briefly Marco Tardelli (another world champion) and Inter arrived 4th and then 5th.

In 2001 he joined Monaco in Ligue 1. The first season he played 25 games with 1 goal while in his second year he did not play at all.

In 2003 he moved to Austria to play for Admira Wacker. In his one season he played 25 league games (3 goals) and 1 in the Austrian Cup.

His last club was in Germany. In 2004 he joined LR Ahlen in the second division and 21 games with 2 goals.

At almost 36 years of age he retired.

At International level Jugovic played 4 games for Yugoslavia with 1 goal (Faroe Islands) and 37 for Serbia Montenegro with 2 goals (Faroe Islands, Malta). With Serbia Montenegro he participated in the France '96 World Cup (4 appearances) and the Euro 2000 in Holland and Belgium (4 appearances).

Jugovic was an all-round midfielder. At 1.78 metres and 76 kilos he was not an imposing player but he was strong and had many qualities. He was technically gifted, elegant on the ball and had excellent vision. He always seemed to know the right pass to make and when, a good decision maker. His sense of position and timing was superb and he was famous for his sudden attacking incursions. He was also cool under pressure, as his decisive penalties can confirm.

As mentioned earlier his time at Lazio was brief but intense. It was a pity he could not stay longer as he was highly respected and appreciated. His one season coincided with a record breaking four derby wins and the lifting of silverware after 24 years. Jugovic made a major contribution with his performances, charisma and goals, nobody will forget that at Lazio.