June 15, 1947: Venezia - Lazio 1-2
- Lazio Stories
- Jun 15
- 6 min read
Lazio out of high water
With a win in Venice the Biancocelesti see safe shores approach
Also on this day:
The season so far
The previous season, for the first time since 1929, the league had been divided into two groups; Alta Italia (for the Northern teams) and Centro-Sud Italia (Centre-South). The top four in each group then played against each other for the Scudetto (won by Torino).
Lazio had not qualified for the final stage, coming 7th in the Centre-South group. A disappointing season in which they had changed manager twice; from Dino Canestri to Salvador Gualtieri (player/manager) and finally Tony Cargnelli. The 1946-1947 season was again a single national league.
This season the Austrian Cargnelli had been confirmed, but there had been some changes to the squad. New faces were: defender Luigi Cassano (Alessandria), midfielders Enrique Flamini (Cruzeiro), Mario Magrini (Pro Gorizia), Luciano Ramella (Como) and forward Bruno Ispiro (Genoa). Leaving the capital were defender Aldo De Pierro (Sora), midfielder Guido Manfrè (Siracusa) and forwards Petar Manola (Olympique Lyonnais) and Ferrero Tossio (Ternana).
This season, after a winning start away at Bari, they had then lost the next three (including derby 0-3). Since then Lazio had won 9, drawn 9 (including derby 0-0) and lost 10. The Biancocelesti however now were unbeaten since March 23 (Inter 0-1 at home). Lazio were currently in joint 11th place, with Inter and Genoa, on 31 points. They were four points above the relegation zone (today’s opponents Venezia on 27) with four games left.
The previous season Venezia had finished 13th (out of 14) in the Alta Italia league. The manager was Giuseppe Girani.
This season the manager was Nereo Marini. The Arancioneroverdi were struggling and were in joint 17th place, with Fiorentina, on 27 points and in the third and last relegation slot. The Lagunari had won 10, drawn 7 and lost 17 (including Lazio 1-3).
A delicate match on the lagoon today. Venezia had to win and Lazio could not afford to lose unless they wanted to be dragged down into the thick of the relegation battle.
The match: Sunday, June 15, 1947, Stadio Pierluigi Penzo, Venice
A hot, sticky and windy afternoon saw about 5,000 spectators at the wonderfully located Penzo stadium.
Lazio had pretty much their best XI while Venezia were missing winger Valeriano Ottino plus midfielder Carlo Sgobbi and Bruno Novello.
Lazio started well at least until they reached the Venetian area. They attacked more but punctually messed up in the last quarter of the field where it really mattered. Venezia were content to absorb pressure but were dangerous on the break.
Towards the half hour however Lazio refined the details and scored two goals in quick succession. In the 29th minute Costantino De Andeis, following a good move all in the air by Aldo Puccinelli and Bruno Ispiro, fired an unstoppable volley into the top hand corner. A superb goal without the ball ever touching the ground, 0-1. Two minutes later Ispiro crossed from the right, De Andreis pushed the ball towards Puccinelli who hit it first time beating a motionless Luigi Griffanti, 0-2.
The Venetians only reaction was an attempt by Francesco Pernigo well saved by Corrado Giubilo. Half time Venezia 0 Lazio 2.
In the first half however, the Romans had played with the strong wind behind them so they were expecting a tougher second forty-five minutes.
The wind proved to be a factor in the 51st minute. Orfeo Bellesini took a freekick from about 25 metres out and it literally flew into the goal aided by wind, 1-2.
The Arancioneroverdi found new enthusiasm and, pushed by the crowd and the wind, attacked continuously. The Lazio defence nevertheless, after a brief period of confusion and nerves, settled and held firm.
The Biancocelesti also threatened occasionally on the counter attack even if the last chance of the game was for the hosts who were unlucky when a Pernigo attempt came back off the post. Final score Venezia 1 Lazio 2.
A hard fought and important win for Lazio with two quality goals.
All in all it was deserved, despite defending for long periods of the second half.
Lazio were now still joint 11th but only with Genoa as Inter had lost 1-3 in Livorno. More importantly the Biancocelesti had a five-point and five-team cushion on the B-zone with three games to go.
Venezia were now 19th as Brescia had leapfrogged them beating Sampdoria 2-1 at home and Fiorentina had drawn 2-2 away at Milan. Things were not looking good on the lagoon.
Who played for Venezia
Griffanti, Tortora, Di Gennaro, Trentin, Puppo, Bellesini, Alberti, Dante, Pernigo, Corbelli, Zambelli
Manager: Marini
Who played for Lazio
Giubilo, Cassano, Antonazzi, Alzani, Gualtieri, Brunetti, Puccinelli, Magrini, Ispiro, Flamini, De Andreis
Manager: Cargnelli
Referee: Galeati
Goals: 29' De Andreis, 31' Puccinelli, 51' Bellesini
What happened next
Lazio finished 10th, on 36 points (5 above the drop zone). In the last three games they won one (Triestina 3-0 at home), lost one (Alessandria 1-2 away) and then drew the last (3-3 away at Juventus). Top scorer was Aldo Puccinelli with 13 league goals.
Venezia ended up relegated in 19th place, on 27 points. In the last three games the Winged Lions won one (Brescia 2-0 at home) but lost two (Atalanta 2-3 and Triestina 0-2, both away). Top scorer was Valeriano Ottino with 13 league goals. Venezia would be back in Serie A in 1949-50 but only for one season and then not again until 1961-62.
The Scudetto winners for 1946-47 were Torino who won their 4th title. Leaving the top flight were Venezia and Brescia while Triestina who had come bottom were allowed to stay up for "patriotic" reasons.
Let's talk about Aldo Puccinelli
Aldo Puccinelli is one of the best wingers in Lazio's history. He is all-time second for number of league appearances for the Biancocelesti, preceded only by Stefan Radu. He played 350 games for Lazio (319 in Serie A, 20 in the Central and Southern Serie A-B Championship, 5 in the latter's post season, 3 in Coppa Italia, 2 in the Mitropa Cup and 1 in the Latin Cup) and scored 80 goals (75 in Serie A, 2 in the Central and Southern Serie A-B Championship, 2 in the post season and one in Coppa Italia).
Born in Bientina (Pisa) on Christmas Day of 1920, he started playing football for Pontedera in 1939-1940 in Serie C. He signed for Lazio in 1940. Small, tough and fast, it was his first time in a big city and he did not play much in his first season. But Alexander Popovic, Lazio manager in the 1941-42 season, thought very highly of him and he was promoted to the first team.
His first spell at Lazio lasted until the outbreak of World War II when he left to be closer to his family. In Tuscany he played for Massese and Santacroce. He returned to Lazio in 1945 and stayed for 10 more seasons. He was a leading figure in the Lazio squad, used as left winger but more often on the right. He was part of the team that obtained fourth place three consecutive times between 1949-50 and 1951-52, and was skipper for a number of matches.
He was only 156 centimetres tall and weighed 56 kilos. A featherweight compared to today’s footballers. But he was physically strong and extremely fast, it was very difficult to get the ball off him. He was a leader, an ideal partner for Silvio Piola. He played 20 derbies, fourth Lazio player with most appearances against Roma behind Pino Wilson, Beppe Favalli and Paolo Negro.
He left Lazio in 1955 and played his last couple of professional years with Livorno. He later became manager for a number of Tuscan teams (Cascina, Siena, Empoli, Viareggio, Livorno and Cuoiopelli) though never in Serie A.
He died in Livorno on March 11, 1994.
Aldo Puccinelli was a little giant, forever to be remembered in Lazio’s history.
Lazio Career
Season | Total games (goals) | Serie A | Centre South Serie A-B League | Post Centre South League | Coppa Italia | Mitropa Cup | Latin Cup |
1940-41 | 2 | 2 | - | - | - | - | - |
1941-42 | 23 (9) | 23 (9) | - | - | - | - | - |
1942-43 | 30 (3) | 27 (2) | - | - | 3 (1) | - | - |
1945-46 | 25 (2) | - | 20 (2) | 5 (2) | - | - | - |
1946-47 | 38 (13) | 38 (13) | - | - | - | - | - |
1947-48 | 34 (6) | 34 (6) | - | - | - | - | - |
1948-49 | 38 (8) | 38 (8) | - | - | - | - | - |
1949-50 | 35 (10) | 34 (10 | - | - | - | - | 1 |
1950-51 | 40 (9) | 38 (9) | - | - | - | 2 | - |
1951-52 | 28 (9) | 28 (9) | - | - | - | - | - |
1952-53 | 31 (6) | 31 (6) | - | - | - | - | - |
1953-54 | 18 (3) | 18 (3) | - | - | - | - | - |
1954-55 | 8 | 8 | - | - | - | - | - |
Total | 350 (80) | 319 (75) | 20 (2) | 5 (2) | 3 (1) | 2 | 1 |
Sources
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