Lazio Fight Back After Controversial Atalanta Goal

Simon Basten
Oct 23, 2022
2 min read

Season 1948-49

Game 6, Serie A

Sunday, October 24, 1948

Stadio Nazionale, Rome

Lazio Atalanta 1-1

Cecconi strikes in dubious circumstances, but Alzani rescues a draw for the Biancocelesti

The Biancocelesti had started the season really badly. Just two draws in the first five games and Lazio were second from last. A win was really needed.

The match

For more than half an hour Atalanta controlled the tempo, pinning Lazio back with a series of quick, dangerous moves. The Biancocelesti, blunt in attack, struggled to respond and rarely threatened. Former Lazio man Flavio Cecconi was the key figure for the Nerazzurri, constantly involved in their play.

Lazio’s only real chance in the early stages came in the 9th minute: Giuseppe D’Avino broke through on the counter and, despite the close marking of Luigi Bertoli, struck the post of Giuseppe Casari’s goal.

Atalanta, dominant up to that point, broke the deadlock in controversial fashion just two minutes later. Tullio Zuppet played a ball through to Cecconi, who was clearly in an offside position. The Lazio defenders raised their arms and stopped, waiting for the whistle. Even Cecconi hesitated, but the referee let the play go on, and the forward calmly slotted past Marco Brandolin. Lazio’s furious protests changed nothing.

That was the spark Lazio needed. They pushed higher and began to dictate the game themselves. D’Avino forced a handball from Bruno Gremese II in the box, but the referee waved it away. Moments later, Mario Astorri hit the post as Lazio piled on the pressure. From then on, Atalanta were forced to retreat, clinging to their narrow lead. Cecconi faded as the match wore on, and with him Atalanta’s attacking structure.

The equaliser finally came three minutes into the second half. D’Avino tested Casari with a shot that the keeper couldn’t hold; in the scramble that followed, the ball spilled to Romolo Alzani, who drove it into the net from the edge of the box.

From then until the final whistle it was all Lazio, wave after wave of attacks, though not always with composure. Atalanta dug in and defended desperately, and in the end the 1–1 draw stood.

Who played for Lazio

Brandolin, Antonazzi, Piacentini, Gualtieri, Todeschini, Alzani, Puccinelli, Magrini, D’Avino, Tavellin, De Andreis