Classy Mancini

Simon Basten
Aug 11, 2022
2 min read

Season 1997-98

Pre Season Friendly

Tuesday, August 12, 1997

Stadio Da Luz, Lisbon

Benfica Lazio 0-1

A Mancini goal gives Lazio a prestigious win in Lisbon

Lazio had had their weeks of pre-season training at Vigo di Fassa near Trento and had played a couple of friendlies. They then had beaten Olympiakos, played the Memorial Cecchi Gori, where after beating Gremio they had lost on penalties against Fiorentina, and drawn away with Feyenoord.

Today was the final pre-season friendly against Benfica.

The match

In front of a raucous crowd of 60,000 at Lisbon’s “De la Luz” stadium, Lazio earned a deserved 1-0 win over Benfica in a match decided by a moment of class from Roberto Mancini.

Benfica, spurned on by their fans, almost struck immediately. In the 3rd minute, Brazilian forward Paulo Nunez converted from close range, only for the goal to be ruled out for a razor-thin offside. Lazio’s back line looked flat-footed on the occasion, but they quickly found their rhythm.

In the 10th minute, Beppe Signori broke through on goal, only to be denied by legendary 38-year-old Belgian goalkeeper Michel Preud’homme, who rolled back the years with a sharp save. Soon after, a clever exchange between José Chamot and Mancini saw the Argentine deliver a pinpoint cross that Mancio nodded just over the bar.

Vladimir Jugovic provided another highlight in the 25th minute with a surging run down the left, forcing Preud’homme into another fine stop from a tight angle. As halftime approached, Lazio turned on the pressure. Alen Boksic’s disguised pass left Mancini clear on goal, but Benfica defender José Soares somehow blocked his shot at the last instant.

The breakthrough finally came in the 43rd minute. Mancini darted toward the centre of the box, meeting Signori’s inch-perfect cross from the left with a precise header into the far corner—unstoppable and decisive.

With this win, Lazio not only spoiled Benfica’s season debut but also sent a message of intent for the season ahead, showcasing both defensive steel and creative flair.

Who played for Benfica

Preud'Homme, Edgar, Gamarra, Jorge Suares, Ronaldo, El Hadrioui (Minto), Bruno Caires (46' Jordao), Calado, Sanchez (46' Nuno Gomez), Joao Pinto (67' Taument), Paolo Nunes (82' Leonidas) Manager: Manuel José

Who played for Lazio

Marchegiani, Pancaro, Nesta, Lopez (82' Grandoni), Chamot (67' Negro), Fuser, Venturin, Jugovic (67' Nedved), Mancini (67' Rambaudi), Boksic (82' Marcolin), Signori (72' Buso). Manager: Eriksson