Genoa too good, especially in 12…

Season 1922-23

Scudetto Final, First Leg

Sunday, July 15, 1923

Stadio Marassi, Genoa

Genoa Lazio 4-1

A superior Genoa crush Lazio in first Scudetto tie but did not really need extra help from referee

Source Lazio Wiki

This season Lazio had won their regional group with 8 wins, 1 draw and 1 defeat. They had therefore progressed to the Lega Sud Interregional Semifinal group consisting of four teams (Internaples, Libertas Palermo and Ideale Bari). Lazio had won all six matches (Napoli 4-0 and 3-0, Libertas Palermo 3-2 and 10-2 and Ideale Bari 3-0 and 6-0). Lazio then played the Lega Sud Final to get to the National Final for the Scudetto. They defeated Savoia 7-4 on aggregate (3-3 and 4-1) and so now had a crack at the Scudetto, albeit against the strongly fancied winners Genoa.

The Rossoblu had gone unbeaten in their northern group with 16 wins and 6 draws. In the Semi-final group they had then got revenge on Pro Vercelli (1-1 away and 1-0 at home) and beaten Padova twice (3-1 and 3-0). They were therefore back in the national final for the Scudetto.

The match

A hot summer day in the Marassi area of Genoa for this first Scudetto final leg.

Genoa were missing left winger Augusto Bergamino while Lazio had no real absences.

In the first half Lazio seemed blocked by the importance of the occasion and Genoa dominated.

The Rossoblu took the lead in the 19th minute when Edoardo Catto weaved his way into the area and beat Ettore Agazzani. Genoa 1 Lazio 0.

Lazio’s response was more physical than technical and the Biancocelesti resorted to frequent fouls to block the hosts.

All these fouls may have influenced the referee to give a generous penalty to Genoa in the 33rd minute. Fortunately for Lazio, Renzo De Vecchi blasted it against the crossbar.

In the 38th minute the "Grifoni" doubled their lead when following a corner by Ettore Neri, Edoardo Mariani scored from close range. Genoa 2 Lazio 0.

In the 43rd minute Genoa were awarded another dubious penalty and this time Ottavio Barbieri made no mistake, 3-0. Genoa were far too good so far, albeit helped by the referee.

At the beginning of the second half Genoa were handed yet another penalty which De Vecchi this time put away. Genoa 4 Lazio 0.

With the four-goal advantage the Ligurians relaxed a little and the game became a lot more balanced. Lazio finally started to find some attacking combinations with Dante Filippi-Pio Manescchi-Fulvio Bernardini.

In the 70th minute Lazio saved their honour with what the Italians call "il gol della bandiera". It was a quality goal too, according to the reports of the times and scored by Filippi.

The Romans tried to build on the goal but Genoa managed to control the rest of the game without too many problems. Final score Genoa 4 Lazio 1.

Despite the three penalties the Genoese had looked the superior side and Lazio would need a miracle to overturn the result in a week's time.

Who played for Genoa

De Prà, Moruzzi, De Vecchi, Barbieri, Burlando, Leale, Neri, Sardi, Catto, Santamaria, Mariani

Manager: Garbutt

Who played for Lazio

Agazzani, Saraceni I, Dosio, Faccani, Parboni, Orazi I, Fraschetti, Filippi, Bernardini, Maneschi, Saraceni II

Manager: Baccani

Referee: Bertazzoni

Goals: 19' Catto, 38' Mariani, 43' Barbieri (pen), 49' De Vecchi (pen), 70' Filippi

Sources

Lazio Wiki