A good away point but also a missed opportunity
Lazio play well, have numerous chances but then settle for a point against ten men
Also on this day: February 5, 2017, Pescara Lazio 2-6. Marco Parolo scores four as Lazio demolish Pescara. Lazio hero of the day: Marco Parolo
The season so far
Lazio had finished 12th the previous season under Fulvio Bernardini. A disappointing season with no major highlights.
This season "Fuffo" Bernardini had been confirmed. The dramatic financial situation limited Lazio's possibilities on the transfer market. The main arrival came in the autumn and was Argentine Juan Carlos Morrone from Platense. Meanwhile Humberto Tozzi had left in the summer for Palmeiras.
The season had not started well. In the first ten games Lazio drew 2 and lost 8 (including derby 0-4) and Bernardini was then replaced by former player Enrique Flamini. Things improved for one match with a 4-0 win over SPAL but then followed two draws and two defeats leading to the appointment of Englishman Jesse Carver as Technical Director. Lazio won the first game 1-0 to Torino at home, drew 0-0 at Bari and most recently lost 1-2 at Lecco.
Lazio were currently bottom of the table on 9 points. Safety was three points away, Spal on 12 points.
In Coppa Italia, Lazio would play Como in the last 16 in March.
Bologna had finished 5th the previous season under Federico Allasio (Lazio manager in 1954).
This season Allasio had been confirmed. The main new signings were defender Edmondo Lorenzini (Sambenedettese), forwards Marino Perani (Padova) and Luis Vinicio (Napoli). Leaving were defenders Battista Rota (SPAL), Giovanni Mialich (Napoli) plus forward and top scorer Gino Pivatelli (Napoli-on loan).
So far Bologna were in 9th position, on 17 points. The Felsinei had won 7 (including Lazio 3-1 and leaders Inter 2-1), drawn 3 and lost 7. A week earlier the Rossoblu had lost 1-2 at Sampdoria. Top scorer was Perano on 7 while Vinicio and Sergio Campana were on 6 goals each.
In Coppa Italia, in September, Bologna had beaten Lecco 4-2 after extra-time and would now play Roma in the last 16 in March.
Bologna were not on top form but surely favourites at home against bottom of the table.
The match: Sunday, February 5, 1961, Stadio Comunale, Bologna
A nice, sunny day in Bologna "La Dotta" (The Learned-for its ancient University) but only 7,000 spectators.
Bologna were missing Luis Vinicio, Giacomo Bulgarelli, Guglielmo Burelli, Romano Fogli and Ezio Pascutti while Lazio had their captain Maurilio Prini out suspended.
Lazio surprised Bologna by starting on the attack. Morrone freed himself but shot weakly while Franco Carradori's powerful freekick was just off target. In the 5th minute Morrone again danced through the defence but then fired wide. In the 9th minute a towering Orlando Rozzoni header was cleared off the goal line by Bruno Capra then spun up and hit the crossbar. Then a few minutes later Paolo Carosi and Rozzoni had only the keeper to beat but hesitated too much and the chance went wasted.
In the 16th minute Bologna finally emerged. Héctor De Marco teed up Giulio Bonafin who anticipated Bob Lovati and served Cesarino Cervellati who hit what looked like a sure goal but Adelmo Eufemi miraculously saved on the line.
In the 23rd minute Bologna scored. Following a free kick, Bonafin avoided three defenders and hammered the ball in. A good goal and Bologna 1 Lazio 0.
Bologna were galvanised and Lovati then saved well from Marino Perani.
Lazio however reacted and took back control of the game. The Biancocelesti had several chances to equalise: Rozzoni twice, Bruno Franzini and Claudio Bizzarri all went close. In the 41st minute Rozzoni missed from close range, the keeper then saved brilliantly on a Franzini header and again on Rozzoni. Halftime Bologna 1 Lazio 0. Lazio however had deserved far more.
The second half started in the same way. Lazio forward and Bologna occasionally threatening on the break.
Lazio equalised in the 61st minute. Franzini skipped past two defenders and shot, the keeper parried but on the rebound Franzini made no mistake and beat Attilio Santarelli. Bologna 1 Lazio 1.
In the 72nd minute the hosts were reduced to ten men. Cervellati exaggerated in his protests over an offside whistled against Bonafin and was given his marching orders.
The game calmed down and both sides seemed content with a point. A pity for Lazio who had played well and should have continued to push for a winner. Fulltime Bologna 1 Lazio 1.
A positive performance and a good point for Lazio but it could have been two. The local papers at the time wrote about hope but also about a missed opportunity.
Who played for Bologna
Santarelli, Capra, Pavinato,Tumburus, Cappa, Furlanis, Perani, De Marco, Bonafin, Campana, Cervellati
Manager: Allasio
Who played for Lazio
Manager: Flamini
T.D: Carver
Referee: Lo Bello
Goals: 23' Bonafin, 61' Franzini
Red card: 72' Cervellati
What happened next
Lazio ended up relegated for the first time in their long history. Lazio won three more games all season (including derby 2-1) and finished 18th, on 18 points. Top scorer was Orlando Rozzoni with 13 (11 in A). Lazio would be back in Serie A two years later.
In Coppa Italia things went better. Lazio beat Como 4-0 in March, then Inter away 1-0 in April, Torino on penalties in May and reached the final. They were then beaten 0-2 by Fiorentina in Florence.
Bologna finished 10th, on 31 points. The Rossoblu won 10, drew 11 and lost 13. Top scorer was Luís Vinicio with 11 league goals.
In Coppa Italia they were eliminated by Roma 0-3 away in March.
The Scudetto was won by Omar Sivori and John Charles' Juventus for the 12th time. Lazio went down with Napoli and Lecco.
Lazio 1960-61
Competition | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals Scored |
Serie A | 34 | 5 | 8 | 21 | 30 |
Coppa Italia | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
Total | 38 | 7 | 9 | 22 | 36 |
Top Five Appearances
Player | Total | Serie A | Coppa Italia |
Carradori | 36 | 32 | 4 |
Rozzoni | 33 | 30 | 3 |
Eufemi | 31 | 28 | 3 |
Janich | 30 | 28 | 2 |
Molino | 29 | 26 | 3 |
Top Five Goal Scorers
Player | Total | Serie A | Coppa Italia |
Rozzoni | 13 | 11 | 2 |
Morrone | 6 | 4 | 2 |
Carradori | 3 | 1 | 2 |
Franzini | 2 | 2 | - |
Mariani | 2 | 2 | - |
Fumagalli | 2 | 2 | - |
Let’s talk about Adelmo Eufemi
Adelmo Eufemi known as "Memmo" was born in Anzio (Rome), on June 18, 1935.
He started playing football in his hometown of Anzio,near Rome. At 19, in 1954, he was signed by Lazio.
Lazio in 1954-55 had Federico Allasio as manager for the first eight games and then Englishman George Raynor. The Biancocelesti finished 12th. The highlights were beating Juventus 2-1 and Roma 3-1 Eufemi only played one league game.
In 1955-56 he was sent to Livorno in Serie B on loan. In Leghorn he played 20 league games. The Amaranto were relegated under three different managers but all called Mario: Magnozzi, Zidarich and Villini.
In 1956-57 he was back at Lazio to stay. The manager was Englishman Jesse Carver and Lazio finished an excellent 3rd. Eufemi played 22 league games.
In 1957-58, first under Mirovan Ćirić (1-19), then Alfredo Monza (20-34) Lazio finished 12th. The highlight was beating Roma 2-1 in March. Eufemi played 21 league games. Then for the Coppa Italia, from June onwards, Fulvio Bernardini took over.
In the summer and September Lazio played the cup. The Biancocelesti, in the group phase, won 4 (Palermo 5-1, Napoli 3-1 at home and Roma 3-2, Napoli 4-0 away) and drew 2 (Palermo 2-2 away and Roma 1-1 at home). Lazio then eliminated Marzotto Valdagno 2-1 in the quarters and Juventus 2-0 in the semis and qualified for the final. It was played in Rome on September 24, 1958 against Fiorentina and Lazio triumphed 1-0 with a Maurilio Prini winner. Lazio won their first historic silverware. Eufemi did not play the final but was a Coppa Italia winner.
In 1958-59 in Serie A Lazio finished 11th under Fulvio Bernardini. It was the first season without Arne Selmosson who had "defected" to Roma. The highlight was beating Juventus 1-0 and Eufemi played 12 league games.
In 1959-60, Lazio finished 12th under Bernardini again. The Biancocelesti came 3rd in Coppa Italia and Eufemi played 10 league games and 1 in Coppa Italia.
In 1960-61 Lazio were relegated. Bernardini was replaced by Enrique Flamini after ten games and after fifteen Jesse Carver arrived as Technical Director but to no avail. A sad first relegation for the Biancocelesti. The only consolation was beating Roma 2-1 in March. Lazio reached the final of Coppa Italia but were beaten 0-2 by Fiorentina. Eufemi played 28 league games, 3 in Coppa Italia and 2 in the Alps Cup.
In Serie B in 1961-62 the manager was first Paolo Todeschini (1-21), then Bob Lovati (22-27) and finally Carlo Facchini (28-38). Lazio narrowly missed out on promotion finishing 4th. The season was shrouded in controversy however as against Napoli, in March, Lazio had a perfectly regular Gianni Seghedoni goal disallowed as the referee Rigato claimed it had gone in through a hole in the net. Lazio then finished one point behind Napoli who were promoted.
Eufemi played 27 league games and 2 in Coppa Italia. In April he broke his meniscus and due to mistakes in the operation he was out of action for a long period.
The 1962-63 season would be his last in Rome but it ended on a high, for the club anyway. Under manager Bob Lovati (who took over from Facchin after 4 games) and Technical Director Juan Carlos Lorenzo, Lazio won promotion. Eufemi however did not play due to his ongoing physical problems.
Eufemi then spent a season with Udinese in Serie B in 1963-64. He only played 3 league games and the Zebrette were relegated. One of his teammates was old Arne Selmosson (Lazio 1955 -58).
In 1964 he went back to Anzio for two years at regional level and then in 1966-67 joined Crotone in Serie C. He played 31 league games and the "Squali" (The Sharks) finished 17th, under Giovanni Zanollo. One of his teammates was a young keeper Michelangelo Sulfaro (Lazio 1969-71).
He then spent one last year in Sicily with Terranova Gela in Prima Categoria (6th tier) and the Giallorossi were promoted to Serie D. Eufemi played 31 league games.
He then retired at 33.
After retiring he returned to Lazio and between 1969 and 1972 he worked in the youth sector. In 1972-74 he was coach with Ladispoli, near Rome, at regional level. In 1974 he returned to Lazio's youth set up and in 1975-76 was even assistant manager to Giulio Corsini for seven games before Tommaso Maestrelli returned.
In 1976-77 he left Lazio and was coach of Potenza in Serie D, finishing 4th.
In 1978-79 he was at Frosinone in Serie C. He was replaced during the season by another former Lazio manager, Umberto Mannocci (1964-66). The "Canarini" (The Canaries) were ultimately relegated.
He then had experiences at local level but his professional manager career was over as such.
Adelmo Eufemi was a solid defender. He was hard battling, strong and gritty player which made him popular with the fans. He played 132 games for Lazio, over eight years and won a Coppa Italia.
He then worked for the club for another six years as youth coach, scout, technical adviser and assistant manager. In the triumphant 1973-74 season he worked closely with Maestrelli and Lovati, with whom he was great friends.
In May 2022 he presented his autobiography at the Circolo Canottieri Lazio (Lazio Rowing Club) with the apt title, "La mia vita per la Lazio” (My life for Lazio). The title says it all.
Adelmo Eufemi still lives in Anzio and still follows his beloved Lazio.
Lazio Career
Season | Total games | Serie A | Serie B | Coppa Italia | Cup of the Alps | Italo-French Friendship Cup |
1954-55 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - |
1956-57 | 22 | 22 | - | - | - | - |
1957-58 | 21 | 21 | - | - | - | - |
1958-59 | 14 | 12 | - | 2 | - | - |
1959-60 | 12 | 10 | - | 1 | - | 1 |
1960-61 | 33 | 28 | - | 3 | 2 | - |
1961-62 | 29 | - | 27 | 2 | - | - |
Total | 132 | 94 | 27 | 8 | 2 | 1 |
Sources
Comments