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Writer's pictureDag Jenkins

Lazio topple reigning champions

Updated: May 30

Game 6, Serie A

Sunday, October 17, 1937


Stadio PNF, Rome

Lazio Bologna 2-0


Two early goals and solid defence give Lazio prestigious win


Source Lazio Wiki

So far Lazio were unbeaten with 1 win (Genoa 1893 2-1) and 4 draws (Triestina 0-0, Lucchese 0-0, Milan 2-2 away and Roma 1-1 at home). The Biancocelesti were on 6 points.


It was a game which could go either way today. Bologna had the Scudetto sewn on their jersey but Lazio had got off to a decent start again this season.


The match


A lovely sunny October day in Rome with a crowd of 15,000 to watch Lazio take on the Italian champions.


Lazio immediately took the game to the Petroniani and pushed forward. The Aquile had early shots by Bruno Camolese and Umberto Busani blocked by Carlo Ceresoli. In the 13th minute the Biancocelesti took the lead. Busani surged forward and played the ball back to Giovanni Riccardi whose cross was headed in by Silvio Piola. Lazio 1 Bologna 0.


The champions reacted and Giovanni Busoni missed from an extremely favourable position. They were punished in the 17th minute when Lazio scored again. They were awarded a free kick just outside the area for a foul on Emilio Capri by Dino Fiorini. Capri took it himself and found Busani who ran in from the by-line and headed past Ceresoli. Lazio 2 Bologna 0. A hesitant Bologna defence and Lazio were flying.


Bologna attempted to get back in the game straight away but Vincenzo Provera saved well into corner from a close range shot heading for the roof of the net.


Lazio then started to dominate. In the 32nd minute Busani was about to score but the referee had already blown up for a previous foul on Piola. In the 40th minute Piola fired off a powerful shot but it came off Fiorini's stomach, who stayed down for a few minutes before recovering. The visitors had one last chance with the lively Rafael Sansone but the half time score line read Lazio 2 Bologna 0. Lazio deservedly ahead against titleholders.


The second half started with Bologna on the attack and Provera had to dive to save a Mario Montesanto freekick. Then, Lazio gradually took control again. The Bologna keeper was constantly kept busy although not having to pull off any exceptional saves.


Towards the end the Rossoblu had more territorial superiority but only really produced one threat, a Carlo Reguzzoni solo effort saved low by Provera. Lazio's Camolese was suffering from cramps which limited his movement and Bologna had numerical advantage but Lazio's defence was excellent and held out until the end. The last minutes became increasingly tense and tempers flared but after a few minor scuffles the referee blew the final whistle. Lazio 2 Bologna 0.


A good and prestigious win for Lazio. Two early goals, a solid defence and Piola gradually getting back on form allowed the Biancocelesti the satisfaction of toppling the reigning champions. Three players had stood out, defenders Alfredo Monza II and Giuseppe Viani I and midfielder Bruno Camolese while for the visitors Sansone had been excellent.


Who played for Lazio


Manager: Giuseppe Viola


Who played for Bologna


Ceresoli, Fiorini, Pagotto, Montesanto, Andreolo, Corsi, Busoni, Sansone, Schiavio, Albanese, Reguzzoni

Manager: Weisz


Referee: Ciamberlini


Goals: 13' Piola, 17' Busani


Sources


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