Game, 18, Serie A
Sunday, February 3, 1957
Stadio Comunale, Turin
Juventus Lazio 3-3
Lazio denied win in Turin by dubious penalty and a controversially disallowed winner
So far Lazio, after a bad start (4 defeats in 6 games, including derby), were having another good season and were currently 4th, on 19 points with Sampdoria and Napoli. Lazio had won 7, drawn 5 and lost 5 (including Juventus 0-3 on debut). A week earlier Lazio had defeated Palermo 3-0 at home and were unbeaten since mid-December (Milan 2-3 away).
Juventus were having another under par season for their standards. They were currently 7th, on 18 points. The "Old Lady" had won 5 (including Lazio 3-0 away on debut), drawn 8 (including derby) and lost 4.
No real favourites today as only one point divided them in the table. Juventus had only won twice at home this season and Lazio three times away. Anything could happen.
The match
A cloudy day in Turin with the pitch a bit heavy due to previous rain. A crowd of about 25,000 was present.
Juventus were without midfielder Umberto Colombo and striker Gino Stacchini.
Lazio were without midfielders Franco Carradori and Luigi Fuin plus forward Renzo Burini but had Lorenzo Bettini back from injury.
The Roman visitors went ahead almost immediately. In the 5th minute Adelmo Eufemi to Arne Selmosson who powered forward and shot, the keeper saved but only as far as Humberto Tozzi who put Lazio in front. Juventus 0 Lazio 1.
Lazio were in control and in the 19th minute scored again. Luigi Moltrasio blasted a free kick which gave Giuseppe Vavassori no chance. Juventus 0 Lazio 2.
Two goals up and dominating Lazio were then unlucky to have Tozzi pick up an injury. The Brazilian striker stayed on but was clearly limited.
The Bianconeri put some pressure on the Lazio defence but Giovanni Molino and Eufemi were excellent. Giampiero Boniperti in particular was causing the defence to work overtime.
In the 35th minute the Piedmontese pulled a goal back. A Giorgio Stivanello header put the "Old Lady" back in the game. Juventus 1 Lazio 2.
The break came with Lazio still deservedly in front.
In the 50th minute Juventus equalised. An Umberto Pinardi challenge on Raúl Conti was punished with a penalty and Antonio Montico beat Bob Lovati to level the score. Juventus 2 Lazio 2.
In the 67th minute Juventus were awarded another penalty, this time extremely disputable. Eufemi was judged to have fouled Boniperti but the decision was very controversial. The fact was Conti took it and gave Juventus the lead. Juventus 3 Lazio 2.
Lazio had played well and did not merit to be behind. They went on the attack and equalised in the 72nd minute. From the corner flag Selmosson passed to Molino who drilled a shot towards goal, on its way it was back-heeled by Pasquale Vivolo into the back of the net. Juventus 3 Lazio 3.
No more than Lazio deserved but they wanted more. A few minutes from the end a through ball by Moltrasio found "Lazarus" Tozzi who brilliantly beat the Juve keeper. The linesman pointed towards midfield indicating the goal was good but the referee put his hand in the air and claimed it was offside. The goal, very likely a winner at this stage, was disallowed. A very dubious decision by Mr. Marchese from Naples.
The game ended 3-3 and both sides were applauded off the field for the entertaining and spectacular game they had put on.
A decent point for Lazio but, as would happen often when playing the "Fidanzata d'Italia", negatively affected by refereeing decisions.
Lazio were now 5th on 20 points while Juventus moved up to joint 6th with Napoli on 19 points.
Who played for Juventus
Vavassori, Corradi, Robotti, Emoli, Aggradi, Montico, Hamrin, Boniperti, Antoniotti, Conti, Stivanello
Manager: Puppo
Who played for Lazio
Lovati, Molino, Eufemi, Sentimenti V, Pinardi, Moltrasio, Muccinelli, Tozzi, Bettini, Vivolo, Selmosson
Manager: Carver
Referee: Marchese
Goals: 5' Tozzi, 19' Moltrasio, 35' Stivanello, 50' Montico (pen), 67' Conti (pen), 72' Vivolo
Sources
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