June 5, 1960: Alessandria Lazio 0-0
- Dag Jenkins
- 11 hours ago
- 5 min read
No final fireworks
A game between two teams without motivation ends goalless
The season so far
The previous season Lazio had finished 11th under Fulvio Bernardini. The Biancocelesti had however won their first ever trophy, the Coppa Italia, beating Fiorentina 1-0 (officially 1958 Cup but played in September of '58-59 season). Top scorer was Humberto Tozzi with 26 goals (14 in A)
This season "Fuffo" Bernardini was still manager but due to financial difficulties not much had been done on the transfer market. The only important signings were Orlando Rozzoni from SPAL and Amos Mariani (Padova) while leaving were defender Umberto Pinardi (Udinese), midfielders Luigi Moltrasio (Young Fellows Zurich) and Carlo Tagnin (Bari) plus forward Renzo Burini (Cesena).
Lazio had got off to a satisfactory start in the league and had earned two 1-1 away draws (Bologna and Inter) and beaten Udinese and Vicenza, both 2-1 at home. Then, the problems started with two defeats, the derby 0-3 and Juventus 0-2 at home. Since then, Lazio had won 7 (including Alessandria 2-0 at home), drawn 9 and lost 11 (including both derbies). The Biancocelesti were currently joint 12th, with Udinese, Napoli and Bari, on 29 points, three above Palermo in the last relegation position and so finally safe after being involved in the relegation battle all season. Five of these wins had come in the last ten games including Padova 2-0 at home a week earlier.
Alessandria had finished 14th the previous season, under manager Luciano Robotti. The Grigi had lost 0-2 at home against Lazio but got their revenge in Rome by winning 2-0. The top scorer was Argentine Juan Carlos Tacchi with 10 goals (9 in A). The squad included a young Gianni Rivera, future Milan legend.
This season the manager was still Robotti. The main new players were: goalkeeper Luciano Arbizzani (Trapani), defender Leopoldo Raimondi (Parma), midfielders Romano Forin (Mestrina) and Giancarlo Migliavacca (Milan) plus forward Cesare Maccacaro (Genoa).
Leaving Alessandria were: goalkeeper Pacifico Cuman (Napoli), midfielders Michele Manenti (Salernitana), Roberto Passarin (Novara) and Giancarlo Pistorello (Genoa) plus forward Ercole Castaldo (Cirio from Naples in Serie C), Benito Lorenzi (Brescia) and Roger Vonlanthen (Lausanne).
Alessandria had been relegated the previous week by losing 2-3 at home to Inter. The Grey Bears had previously won 5, drawn 14 and lost 13 (including Juventus 0-7 away). They were 17th on 24 points (-3 from Udinese 15th in the last safety slot) but today was the last game.
In the Coppa Italia they were eliminated in the second round by Atalanta 0-5 away. The Piedmontese had beaten Simmenthal Monza 1-0 away in the first round.
A game with not a lot to say today. Lazio had already reached their objective while Alessandria were already goners.
The match: Sunday, June 5, 1960, Stadio Giuseppe Moccagatta, Alessandria
Only 2,000 spectators turned up on a sunny day to see Alessandria's farewell to Serie A.
Lazio were missing many players; goalkeeper Idilio Cei, defender Giovanni Molino, midfielder Bruno Franzini plus forwards Maurilio Prini and Orlando Rozzoni.
Alessandria left out promising youngster Gianni Rivera who was rumoured to be near a move to A.C Milan. The 16-year-old had scored 6 goals in 25 league games this season.
Lazio started on the front foot and in the 6th minute Ugo Pozzan hit a crossbar.
The game was understandably more similar to a friendly. In the 20th minute Tullio Oldoni struck a good mid-range effort but Bob Lovati saved behind for a corner.
Soon after Juan Carlos Tacchi's mobility was limited by a muscular strain and Lazio definitely took control. Pozzan lost the moment and then hit his shot too centrally, the keeper saved again on a more dangerous Oliviero Visentin effort and then Claudio Bizzarri fired just wide. Halftime 0-0. Lazio on top but lacking the killer instinct.
In the second half Lazio had two more favourable chances with Visentin but the forward from near Treviso was unable to finish them off.
The hosts had a rare foray up front in the 61st minute when Romano Forin tried his luck from 25 metres out but Lovati did well to save.
Lazio then gradually faded and the home side looked to have more energy. They had shots by Oldani and Forin but both just off target.
The last opportunity however was for the Romans with a freekick. Specialist Franco Carradori stepped up but keeper Ideo Stefani guessed the direction and blocked. Final score Alessandria 0 Lazio 0.
A predictably dull game ended a sad season for Alessandria and a disappointing one for Lazio.
The few fans in attendance booed their players off. They would never see Serie A football again in the town named after Pope Alexander III in 1168.
Who played for Alessandria
Stefani, Raimondi, Giacomazzi, Snidero, Schiavone, Girardo, Oldani, Forin, Maccacaro, Moriggi, Tacchi
Manager: Pedroni
Who played for Lazio
Lovati, Lo Buono, Del Gratta, Carosi, Janich, Fumagalli, Bizzarri, Carradori, Visentin, Pozzan, Mattei
Manager: Bernardini
Referee: Ferrari
What happened next
Lazio finished 12th on 30 points. The top scorer was Orlando Rozzoni with 16 goals (13 in A).
In the Coppa Italia in June they managed to beat Bologna 3-2 away but were then defeated 0-3 by Juventus in the semi-final. Lazio then conquered 3rd place by beating Torino 2-1 in the losers' final.
The following season however Lazio were relegated and therefore played Alessandria again in 1961-62 (2-0 for the Bears at home and 7-2 for the Eagles in Rome). They played again the following year (two draws) but have not played often since.
In 1959-60 Alessandria finished 17th on 25 points. The top scorer was Tacchi with 8 league goals. They have never made it back to Serie A so, as mentioned, this was Alessandria's last ever top flight game. In 2024 they went bust and restarted from the 6th tier and are currently in Serie D.
Giancarlo Migliavacca went on to play 206 league games for Alessandria while Gianni Rivera went to Milan and became a star, winning the league title 3 times, the Coppa Italia 4 times, the European Cup twice, the Cup Winners Cup twice, the Intercontinental Cup and the Ballon d’Or in 1969.
The 1959-60 Scudetto was won by Juventus for the 11th time. Serie B opened its unwelcoming doors to Genoa, Palermo and Alessandria. Juventus also won the Coppa Italia by defeating Fiorentina 3-2 (a.e.t).
Let's talk about Lazio Jersey 1959-60
In this season Lazio played in a classic light blue shirt (with a thin white horizontal line on the sleeves and a white collar). The shorts were white as were the socks but with a light blue stripe.
The away shirt was the same design but white with a light blue collar. The shorts were light blue and the socks white.
In those days the club emblem was not usually present and if it was it was very small.
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