Game 11, Serie A
Sunday, December 15, 1935
Stadio PNF, Rome
Lazio Ambrosiana Inter 0-0
Biancocelesti get good point but not helped by distracted referee
So far in Serie A Lazio had played 10 games, with 3 wins, 3 draws and 4 defeats (including derby 0-1), so were on 9 points. A week earlier Lazio had won 2-0 away to Torino. Silvio Piola had scored 9 league goals.
Ambrosiana were favourites today but the Nerazzurri had already lost three matches this season, the same number as in the whole previous one, so there was some hope for Lazio.
The match
There had been some rain leading up to the game so the pitch was slightly heavy but now the sun was shining for the 15,000 crowd.
Lazio were still without midfielder Attilio Ferraris IV out injured.
The first dangerous move of the afternoon was by the Milanese in the 4th minute. After swift passing between Attilio Demaria, Giuseppe Meazza and Giovanni Ferrari, the latter had a powerful shot go just over the bar.
Lazio responded immediately a minute later but Antonio Bisigato's effort shaved the post.
In the 11th minute a thundering Demaria shot forced Giacomo Blason to double fist the ball away.
In the 20th minute the visitors went even closer. Alfredo De Vincenzi set up by Meazza fired from close range but Blason parried and then Alfredo Monza anticipated Meazza on the loose ball.
Lazio had a penalty appeal in the 24th minute. Piola controlled an Umberto Visentin cross, dribbled a defender and was just about to shoot when he was pulled down. The referee ordered to play on and the home crowd were far from happy.
In the 28th minute Piola tried his luck from the long range but did not find the target.
In the 32nd minute Ambrosiana had a threatening counter attack. Roberto Porta surged forward and reached the by-line but, instead of crossing for Meazza, Ferrari and De Vincenzi queuing up in the area, he cut in and shot but wide. A huge missed opportunity.
The half ended with Lazio forward but apart from a few corners and scrambles in the area the Biancocelesti had no major chances. Halftime Lazio 0 Ambrosiana 0.
The Nerazzurri had created the more dangerous openings but Lazio were holding their own.
The second half was slower with both teams seemingly tiring due to the heavy pitch. Both sides however had chances.
In the 50th and 51st minute Piola and Felice "sfondareti" Levratto tried with solo efforts and in the 56th minute Blason dived brilliantly to block a De Vincenzi strike. The Milanese striker then hammered a shot well over the bar in the 67th minute.
The biggest chance again fell to De Vincenzi in the 73rd minute. It was Porta again who flew down the wing, got past Giuseppe Viani and crossed into the area where De Vincenzi volleyed what looked like a winner but Blason showed superb reflexes and saved.
De Vincenzi had one last chance in the 87th minute. In a crowded area he got a shot in despite Blason diving at his feet, the ball however landed on the roof of the net. It was not to be De Vincenzi's day. Final score Lazio 0 Ambrosiana 0.
A satisfactory draw for Lazio against superior opposition. If the first half had been balanced, in the second Ambrosiana could well have won it. Lazio could thank Blason in particular for a hard-earned point.
Who played for Lazio
Manager: Alt
Who played for Ambrosiana
Degani, Vincenzi, Mascheroni, Ghidini, Faccio, Sala, Porta, Demaria I, Meazza, Ferrari, De Vincenzi
Manager: Feldmann
Referee: Ciamberlini
Sources