Score early, resist and conquer
- Dag Jenkins
- Apr 5, 2024
- 3 min read
Coppa Italia, Quarter Final
Wednesday, April 5 1961
Stadio San Siro, Milan
Inter Lazio 0-1
Lazio score after four minutes and then defend the result
Things were not going well at all in the league. Lazio had played 26 games; winning 4 (including Roma 2-1), drawing 6 and losing 16. After ten games Bernardini was replaced by Enrique Flamini and from fixture 15 Jesse Carver arrived as technical director but things had not really improved. Lazio were bottom of the table on 14 points, six from safety (Lecco on 20). A desperate situation.
Today however was a different competition, the Coppa Italia. Lazio had made their debut in the last 16 defeating Como 4-0 at home on March 15. In the quarter-final they now faced the difficult prospect of a single-legged away game against Inter.
Inter were currently 3rd but until March 26 had been top. The Nerazzurri then lost four games in a row (including derby 1-2) and were overtaken by both Juventus and Milan.
In the Coppa Italia the Lombards had reached this clash by defeating Parma 3-1 away and Brescia 7-1 at home. With their league campaign fading the domestic cup was a potential route to silverware.
The Nerazzurri were strong favourites today and they had already defeated Lazio 7-0 at home in Serie A on March 5.
The match
A sunny day in Milan brought about 15,000 to San Siro for this weekday cup fixture.
Lazio were without midfielder Ugo Pozzan and also rested forward Orlando Rozzoni and played Maurilio Prini up front.
Inter played with reserve goalkeeper Mario Da Pozzo and without defenders Aristide Guarneri and Bruno Bolchi plus midfielder Bengt Lindskog.
Lazio's intentions were clear from the start as number 9 Prini placed himself at the edge of the Biancoceleste area.
In the 4th minute however Lazio scored with their first attempt. With Inter already piling forward, the Lazio defence cleared and the ball reached Juan Carlos Morrone who left defender Remo Bicchierai behind and approached Da Pozzo who he beat with a low and angled shot, 0-1.
Inter's reaction was strong but confused. Antonio Angelillo combined with Eddie Firmani but the Argentine's effort was just over the bar.
In the 16th minute Firmani headed high from an Armando Picchi free kick.
A few minutes later Mauro Bicicli was stopped by a raised linesman's flag but it looked like a wrong call.
The Nerazzurri then paused their assault until the 27th minute when Franco Pezzullo dived low to anticipate Firmani, set up by a good Franco Zaglio initiative.
In the 38th minute Angelillo tried his luck from the long range but was off target.
Lazio defended well and in the 43rd minute finally threatened again when Claudio Bizzarri went solo and forced Da Pozzo into a low save. Half time score: Inter 0 Lazio 1.
Almost one-way traffic but Inter lacked precision in the last third.
For the second half Lazio put on their main goalkeeper Idilio Cei, perhaps expecting even more pressure from the home side.
The pressure came with attempts by Firmani, Masiero, Angelillo and Zaglio but a combination of imprecision, good defending and Cei saves kept the Nerazzurri at bay.
Lazio defended deep but occasionally had chances on the break. In the 56th minute Bizzarri hit a venomous effort which Da Pozzo saved with some difficulty.
There followed a period of Inter pressure but in the 66th minute Da Pozzo had to be alert to come off his line to deny Morrone.
Lazio defended well and in the 73rd minute had a huge chance to close the tie. Bruno Franzini drilled a shot from about 20 metres out but it hit the post.
In the 79th minute Inter then had their biggest chance when, with Cei on the ground, Mario Corso pounced and hit what looked like a sure goal but Franco Carradori appeared out of nowhere and headed off the goal line.
Lazio then absorbed more Inter attacks and managed to bring home an unexpected but ultimately deserved qualification to the Coppa Italia semi-final.
An early goal, solid defence, quick counterattacks and an imprecise Inter meant the win could not really be disputed.
In the semi-final on May 10 Lazio would play Torino at home as the Granata had defeated Padova 0-1 away. The other semi-final would be Fiorentina vs Juventus.
Who played for Inter
Manager: Herrera
Who played for Lazio
Pezzullo (46' Cei), Molino, Eufemi, Carradori, Napoleoni, Carosi, Mariani, Franzini, Prini, Morrone, Bizzarri
Manager: Flamini
T.D: Carver
Referee: Angolese
Goal: 4' Morrone
Sources
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