February 1, 1998: Napoli-Lazio 0-0
- Dag Jenkins
- 2 hours ago
- 12 min read
Missed opportunity but fair result
Two posts and a blatant denied penalty but overall Lazio disappoint and only take a point
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). In late November unfortunately Beppe Signori also left, due to contrasts with Eriksson over lack of playing time. He went to Sampdoria after a wonderful five seasons in the capital with 127 goals.
Lazio were currently in 4th position, on 31 points. After 17 games, Lazio had won 9 (including Napoli 2-0 on debut and the derby 3-1 in ten men), drawn 4 (including Milan and Inter, both 1-1 away) and lost 3 (Empoli 0-1, Juventus 1-2 away and Atalanta 0-2 at home). The most recent result had been a 1-0 home win against Bologna, their 3rd in a row.
In the Coppa Italia, Lazio had reached the semi-finals to be played in February-March against Juventus. The Biancocelesti had defeated Fidelis Andria 6-2, Napoli 4-3 and Roma 6-2 (winning both games).
In the UEFA Cup, Lazio had eliminated Vitória Guimarāes 6-1, Rotor (Russia) 3-0, Rapid Vienna 3-0. Next up would be Auxerre from France in March in the quarterfinals.
Napoli had finished 13th the previous season. They had started with former Lazio Gigi Simoni (1-28) and finished with Vincenzo Montefusco (29-34). Napoli had beaten Lazio 1-0 at home but lost 2-3 in Rome. The top scorer was Alfredo Aglietti with 9 goals (8 in A).
This season the Neapolitans were already on their third manager: Bortolo Mutti had started (1-5), then Carlo Mazzone (6-9) and now Giovanni Galeone (10 onwards).
The main new players in the summer were: defender Raffaele Sergio (Udinese), midfielder Fabio Rossitto (Udinese), Massimiliano Allegri (Padova), Ajoša Asanović (Derby County), plus forwards Igor Protti (Lazio - on loan), Giuseppe Giannini (Sturm Graz), Claudio Bellucci (Sampdoria-via Venezia) and José Luis Calderón (Independiente but he then left in January). Recently Napoli had signed forward Damir Stojak (Vojvodina).
Leaving Naples were defenders Francesco Colonnese (Roma), André Cruz (Milan), Mauro Milanese (Parma), midfielders Alain Boghossian (Sampdoria), Fabio Pecchia (Juventus), Beto (Grêmio) plus forwards Alfredo Aglietti (Verona), Caio (Santos), Nicola Caccia (Atalanta)
Napoli were currently bottom of the table on 6 points (already 10 from safety). They had only won 1 match (Empoli 2-1 at home), drawn 4 and lost 13 (including Roma 2-6, Bologna 1-5, Sampdoria 3-6 away and Parma 0-4 at home). They had only earned two points in the last 13 games.
In Coppa Italia, as mentioned, they went out in the 3rd round despite a near comeback against Lazio (0-4 away, 3-0 at home).
Lazio were favourites today seeing Napoli's difficulties. The Partenopei had already lost 6 home games out of 8. Lazio however had only won once away (excluding the derby) so it would not be a formality for the Romans.
The match: Sunday, February 1, 1998, Stadio San Paolo, Naples
A crowd of just over 40,000 turned up in the Fuorigrotta area of Naples for this Sunday evening game.
Lazio were without midfielder Matias Almeyda and forward Alen Boksic.
Napoli were missing defender Bertrand Crasson and forward Claudio Bellucci. The new signing Stojak's debut was postponed for a bureaucratic delay.
After a tactical and even first fifteen minutes Lazio had the first chance of the game with Gigi Casiraghi but Giuseppe Taglialatela pulled off an acrobatic save on the Brianzolo's scissor kick.
In the 17th minute Napoli responded with a cutting low cross into the area by Francesco Turrini which Igor Protti could not quite domesticate and was anticipated by Alessandro Nesta into Luca Marchegiani's arms.
Napoli took courage, spurred on by the crowd and threatened again with headers by Aljoša Asanovic and then a long distance freekick by the Croat but Luca Marchegiani was safe.
On the half hour mark Casiraghi too had a decent header but Taglialatela was well positioned.
A minute later the hosts hit the woodwork. It was fortuitous as the ball ricocheted onto Protti's head by chance from a defender's clearance and then ended up on the crossbar.
Lazio suffered Napoli's energy and high press and relied on counterattacks. First Diego Fuser was off target and then in the 40th minute, following a Roberto Ayala mistake, Casiraghi was one-on-one with the keeper and with all the time in the world but his cross-goal shot came back off the post and went along the line but not in.
Asanovic then tested Marchegiani again with a left-footed strike from just inside the area and had a close-range header go over the bar while for Lazio Fuser had a curling effort off target.
There was still time for a Massimiliano Allegri effort from a good position but his effort was high. Halftime Napoli 0 Lazio 0.
The Partenopei went off applauded by their fans. Apparently, it was the best they had played all season. Lazio were certainly not at the top of their game, perhaps taken by surprise by the home side's vigour and running.
For the second half Lazio brought on Pavel Nedved and took off Roberto Rambaudi.
The second half saw Lazio more balanced in midfield and Napoli tired too so threatened less.
Casiraghi was Lazio's most active player as he forced Taglialatela into an early block.
In the 56th minute it was Casiraghi again who tried a bicycle kick and it was saved by Taglialatela. On the same move a few seconds later Casiraghi went for another bicycle kick but this time it was "saved" by midfielder Roberto Goretti who clumsily intercepted it with his hands. For the referee it was involuntary and the game went on.
Things got a bit nasty a few minutes later when Casiraghi was slow in retreating his foot on a low Taglialatela dive. The two almost came to blows but the most upset seemed to be Ayala who decided to carry out a personal vendetta on Lazio and committed a filthy foul on Roberto Mancini. The referee had been letting the game flow so continued in this mode even when things went over the top and took no disciplinary measures.
The game now was quite blocked with neither side finding any openings up front. There were very few shots at goal. In the 78th Napoli tried to stir things up a bit by putting on local young and talented midfielder Gennaro Scarlato for Asanovic.
In the 79th minute another Ayala mistake allowed Casiraghi a chance but his shot was weak and comfortably collected by Taglialatela. Casiraghi threatened again a few minutes later when the Neapolitan keeper dropped the ball in the crowded area but his shot went wide.
In the 86th minute Alessandro Nesta was forced off due to a previous head injury and Giovanni Lopez came on.
Casiraghi continued his pursuit of a goal but his low volley from a high Nedved cross was saved by Taglialatela.
The last chance to clinch all three points was also for the Romans. In the 91st minute Casiraghi ran onto a Diego Fuser pass and hit a first-time strike which the keeper touched lightly and it then hit the post.
That was the last excitement of the game. Final score: Napoli 0 Lazio 0.
Napoli had played better in the first half while Lazio had been more in control in the second. Two woodworks to one for Lazio and a clear penalty not awarded but the Biancocelesti had not played well as a team or imposed their superiority so could not feel overly hard done by.
A fair draw in the end even if not particularly useful to either team.
Lazio were still 4th but had been joined by Parma, on 32 points. Third placed Udinese had lost 0-1 in Florence so Lazio had further regrets as they could have caught up with a win.
Napoli were bottom on 7 points and still ten points from safety (Piacenza and Bologna on 17).
Who played for Napoli
Taglialatela, Baldini, Goretti, Ayala, Rossitto, Longo, Allegri, Altomare, Turrini, Asanovic (78' Scarlato), Protti
Substitutes: Di Fusco, Panarelli, Malafronte, Bruno
Manager: Galeone
Who played for Lazio
Marchegiani, Pancaro, Nesta (86' G.Lopez), Negro, Chamot, Rambaudi (46' Nedved), Fuser, Venturin, Jugovic, Casiraghi, Mancini
Manager: Eriksson
Referee: Trentalange
What happened next
Lazio then challenged for the title until a precise date, April 5. In the next 9 games they won 7 (including derby 2-0, Milan 2-1 and Inter 3-0 at home) and drew 2. They then played leaders Juventus, got beaten 1-0 and never recovered. In the last 6 matches they only managed to muster one point and ended up in a disappointing 7th place. Top scorers were Pavel Nedvěd and Alen Boksic with 15 goals (Nedved 11 in A and Boksic 10).
Strange but true however it turned out to be a season to remember. They beat hated city rivals 4 times! Twice in the league (3-1 and 2-0) and twice in the Coppa Italia (4-1 and 2-1), a record which has yet to be rivalled.
They also had an excellent European campaign. They reached the UEFA Cup Final in Paris. The Biancocelesti then eliminated Auxerre (3-2) and Atlético Madrid (1-0). In the final however, a tired Lazio were well beaten 0-3 by Ronaldo's Inter.
It was in the domestic cup, the Coppa Italia, that they lived their finest hour. In the semi-final Lazio got the better of Juventus (1-0, 2-2) and qualified for the final.
The final against Milan was also still played over two legs, home and away. Lazio played well but the first went to Milan 1-0 with an 89th 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 after half time. A stirring second half performance however turned the final around. Goals by Guerino Gottardi, Vladimir Jugovic (pen) and captain Nesta gave Lazio a dramatic 3-1 victory and after 30 years gave the Biancocelesti long awaited silverware. Out of all the trophies Lazio would win in the following years many Lazio fans still claim this one gave them the best feeling.
So, a European Final, 4 derby wins and a domestic cup after thirty years definitely made it a season to cherish.
Napoli were relegated. They finished rock bottom, 18th on 14 points. In the next 16 games the Azzurri won 1, drew 4 (including Juventus 2-2 and Milan 0-0 both away) and lost 11. A week after today's game they lost 0-5 at Empoli and Vincenzo Montefusco took over until the end of the season. The top scorer was Claudio Bellucci with 12 goals (10 in A). Napoli came up again in 2000 but then went straight down again and did not regain top flight status until 2007 (even spending two seasons in C1).
Juventus won their 25th league title while Napoli went down with Brescia, Atalanta and Lecce.
Let’s talk about Massimiliano Allegri
Massimiliano Allegri was born in Livorno, on August 11, 1967.
He started his professional career with Cuoiopelli (Santa Croce sull'Arno) in 1984-85 in the Interregionale league (4th tier). He played 7 league games before returning to his hometown.
He joined Livorno in 1985 in C1 and stayed three seasons. He played little in the first two but then played 23 league games in his third. The Amaranto finished 14th, 12th and 14th. In 1987 they won the Serie C Coppa Italia. One of his teammates was future Lazio, Igor Protti (1996-97, 1998).
In 1988 he moved just up the road to bitter rivals Pisa in Serie A. The Nerazzurri were relegated and Allegri only played 2 league games.
In 1989 he returned to Livorno, now known as Pro Livorno and in C2. The "Triglie" (Mullets) finished 10th and Allegri played 32 league games with 8 goals. He played alongside former Lazio, Leonardo Surro (1981-83).
In the 1990-91 season he was at Pavia in C1. He played 29 league games with 5 goals and the Azzurri finished 9th.
In 1991 he joined Pescara in Serie B and stayed two seasons. In the first the Dolphins won promotion under Giovanni Galeone but in the second were relegated, again under Galeone and then former Lazio player, Vincenzo Zucchini (1979-80). Allegri made 64 appearances with 16 goals (12 in A, including Lazio home and away Juventus x2 and Roma) and 1 game in Coppa Italia with 1 goal. His teammates included Lazio connections Paolo Monelli (1987-88) and Stefano Ferretti (1978-80, 1981-82).
In 1993 he signed for Cagliari in Serie A. He stayed two full seasons and the Rossoblu finished 12th and 9th. In 1993 the Islanders reached the UEFA Cup semi-final (defeating Dinamo Bucharest, Trabzonspor, Malines, Juventus) but lost 3-5 on aggregate to Inter. He played 46 league games with 4 goals, 1 game in Coppa Italia and 4 in the UEFA Cup with 1 goal (Malines). His Managers were Gigi Radice for one game, Bruno Giorgi and Óscar Tabarez. His teammates included Lazio connections Valerio Fiori (1986-93), Dario Marcolin (1992-93, 1995-99, 1999-2000), Beppe Pancaro (1997-2003) and Roberto Muzzi (2003-05).
In November 1995 after 2 more league games for Cagliari he left and joined Perugia in Serie B. The Umbri won promotion under Walter Novellino, Diego Giannattasio and then Walter Galeone. The following year Allegri stayed but left in January after Galeone had been sacked. In Perugia he played 44 league games with 20 goals (15 in B and 5 in A) plus 2 games in Coppa Italia.
In January 1996 he joined Padova in serie B. He played 15 league games under former Lazio manager Giuseppe Materazzi and the Patavini finished 15th. One of his teammates was Lazio legend Cristiano Bergodi (1989-1996). The following year he stayed on but then left in December after 6 league games.
In December 1997 he joined Napoli in Serie A. The manager was Giovanni Galeone until early February and then Vincenzo Montefusco and the Partenopei were relegated. Allegri played 7 league games. His teammates included Lazio connections; Raffaele Sergio (1989-92), Massimiliano Esposito (1995-96), Igor Protti again and Guglielmo Stendardo (2005-08, 2009-12).
In 1998 Allegri returned to Pescara in Serie B. The Adriatici finished 5th and 13th. He played 36 league games with 4 goals and 2 games in Coppa Italia with 1 goal. In his second season the manager was Giovanni Galeone again.
In 2000 he went back to Tuscany and joined Pistoiese in Serie B. He played 18 league games with 1 goal and 2 in Coppa Italia with 1 goal. His managers were Giuseppe Pillon, former Lazio player and future manager Domenico Caso and then Walter Nicoletti. The "Olandesina" finished 16th. In Pistoia he played briefly with future 2006 World Champion Andrea Barzagli (and later a player under Allegri at Juventus).
His last club was Aglianese from November 2001. The Neroverdi won promotion to C2 and the following year finished 8th. Allegri played 32 league games with 8 goals.
He then retired at 35 but went straight into coaching.
He started where he had left off, at Aglianese in C2 finishing 13th. He then had spells at SPAL (2004-05, C1, 9th place), Grosseto (2005-Oct 2006, C1, 4th), Sassuolo (2007-08, C1, 1st and C Supercoppa), Cagliari (2008-Apr 2010, A, 9th).
In 2010 came his big chance at the top level when he joined Milan. He stayed three and a half seasons. The Rossoneri finished 1st (Scudetto), 2nd, 3rd and in January 2014 he was sacked with Milan in 12th place. He also won an Italian Supercoppa in 2011, defeating Inter 2-1.
In 2014 he made a surprise move to Juventus. He stayed almost eight seasons. He won 5 consecutive league titles, the Coppa Italia 5 times (with 4 doubles) and the Italian Supercoppa twice. In 2015 and 2017 the Bianconeri reached the finals of Champions League but lost to Barcelona 1-3 and Real Madrid 1-4. In his eighth season he was sacked with two games to go and the Bianconeri in joint 3rd place with Bologna and having just won the Coppa Italia (Atalanta 1-0).
He then took a year off waiting for stimulating job offers.
As a player Allegri was an attacking midfielder but later in his career he moved further back. He is 1.83 and 75 kilos but was nicknamed "Acciuga" (Anchovy) for his slimness. He was a dynamic player but with good technical skills and shooting abilities. He possessed a good footballing brain and was considered a leader in the teams he played for. The general consensus however among football managers and pundits is that he could have achieved more as a player than he did had he been less light-hearted and easy going.
What he possibly did not achieve as a player he certainly has as a coach. He has won 6 league titles, the Coppa Italia a record 5 times, the Italian Supercoppa 3 times and reached two Champions League finals. He is considered a master at adapting his game to the players he has in the squad. In his more recent years with Juventus however he was often criticised for being too conservative, prioritising the result over the quality of performances. Allegri, a keen horseracing follower himself, often used racing expressions to justify this approach. Since 2019 he even owns his own horse racing stable and team.
In June 2025 it was announced he would be returning to A.C Milan as head coach. A winning horse on his return?
Sources
Comments