Decent point but no catch-up for Lazio

Dag Jenkins
Jun 15, 2023
3 min read

Season 1951-52

Game 37, Serie A

Sunday, June 15, 1952

Stadio Comunale, Florence

Fiorentina-Lazio 0-0

A draw which keeps the the two sides in unvaried positions, 4th and 5th

The Eagles were having another good season and were in joint 5th place with Napoli on 40 points but only two points off 4th placed Fiorentina. Lazio had won 14 (including Juventus 2-0 and today's opposition Fiorentina 1-0 at home) drawn 12 and lost 10. (including recent SPAL 0-4 away). There was no derby this year as Roma were in Serie B.

Fiorentina were currently 4th on 42 points. They had won 17 (including Milan 1-0, Inter 5-0 and most recently Napoli 2-1, all at home), drawn 8 and lost 11 (including Lazio 0-1).

A close game was expected today. For 4th place the hosts could possibly settle for a draw but it also depended on Napoli who played bottom club and already relegated Legnano at home.

The match

A hot and sunny day in Florence attracted just under 20,000 to the Comunale, designed by Luigi Nervi and built in 1931.

Lazio were missing defenders Stefano Malacarne, Francesco Antonazzi and Norwegian midfielder Ragnar Larsen.

Fiorentina had to do without main goalkeeper Leonardo Costagliola, full-back Ardico Magnini and midfielder Augusto Magli (brother of manager Renzo).

Despite the heat the game started at a good pace. The first shot at goal was by Fiorentina's Giancarlo Vitali but Lucidio Sentimenti IV saved, although not without difficulty.

Lazio replied in the 6th minute with a dangerous shot by Swedish midfielder Sigvar Löfgren and soon after by Lelio Antoniotti but both attempts were dealt with well by keeper Luciano Tessari.

The teams were lively and the Florentines had shots by Dutchman André Roosenburg and Swede Dan Ekner but both off target. They were imitated by Lazio's Turkish striker Gülesin Şükrü in the 16th minute as his attempt flew over the bar.

In the 19th minute Sentimenti interrupted a clever move between Lefter, Roosenburg and Ekner. In the 23rd minute the Gigliati had a shot deflected into corner and then the game slowed down.

For the next twenty minutes or so not much happened. It was not until the 41st and 43rd minutes that Lazio threatened again but Tessari did well and then Şükrü was stopped by Francesco Rosetta after having got past two other defenders. Halftime: 0-0.

The beginning of the second half was livelier again. Roosenburg shaved the post with a good effort then Lazio's Antoniotti ran forty metres and went past several defenders but ran out of steam when he had to finish. A few minutes later the same forward did manage a shot but Tessari was ready.

Fiorentina's Lefter was more dangerous in the 57th minute but Sentimenti pulled off an excellent save.

In the 60th minute Şükrü burst forward while at the same time both Löfgren and Aldo Puccinelli had placed themselves in ideal goal scoring positions but the pass never came as the Turk went for an unsuccessful shot himself.

In the 65th minute came the most controversial episode of the match as Viola defender Renzo Venturi blatantly handballed while clearing the area. The referee was well positioned so had a good view but surprisingly gestured to play on.

In the 69th minute Turkish midfielder Lefter skillfully freed himself of his markers, Serafino Montanari and Romolo Alzani, but his strike lacked power.

The last twenty minutes were pretty non-descript apart from two long range attempts by the hosts, the first by Rosetta was saved by Sentimenti with his foot while the second was easier for the goalkeeper from Emilia.

The lack of objectives and the heat made both sides take it easier towards the end and settle for a point each.

A decent point for Lazio away in Florence although a win would have drawn them level with the Gigliati. Man of the match for Lazio was Luigi Fuin who had cancelled danger man and future Roma, Egisto Pandolfini from the field.

Fiorentina themselves were applauded off the field by their fans, more in appreciation for their positive season and to bid them farewell as it was the last home game.

Lazio were now solitary 5th on 41 points, as Napoli had unexpectedly lost 2-3 at home to rock bottom and already relegated Legnano.

Fiorentina were still 4th, on 43 points.

Only one fixture to go now: Lazio vs Triestina and Milan vs Fiorentina.

Who played for Fiorentina

Tessari, Venturi, Cervato, Chiappella, Rosetta, Viciani, Vitali, Pandolfini, Roosenburg, Ekner, Lefter

Manager: Magli

Who played for Lazio

Sentimenti IV, Montanari, Furiassi, Alzani, Sentimenti V, Fuin, Puccinelli, Sentimenti III, Antoniotti, Löfgren, Şükrü