Comeback win on home debut

Dag Jenkins

Oct 11, 2022

2 min read

Season 1942-43

Game 2, Serie A

Sunday, October 11, 1942

Stadio PNF, Rome

Lazio-Bologna 2-1

Trailing at halftime Lazio storm back to beat Bologna

So far in Serie A Lazio had played one game, a 0-0 away draw with Triestina. On their league debut Bologna had beaten Atalanta 2-0 at home with a Frane Matošić brace.

A difficult home debut for Lazio and a balanced game was expected.

The match

A mild and sunny day attracted about 25,000 spectators to the P.N.F stadium.

Lazio were missing midfielder Salvador Gualtieri while Bologna were without midfielder Dante Nardi.

The game started without any particular tacticisms and was open. Bologna especially produced a series of swift and flowing moves. The goal came in the 18th minute but was from a set piece. Raffaele Sansone crossed into the area where Héctor Puricelli rose up and headed low to Uber Gradella's right, 0-1.

Bologna continued to combine well despite not creating any big chances.

Gradually however Lazio stirred. In the 21st minute Silvestro Pisa headed just wide and in the 31st Silvio Piola blasted a shot from 30 metres out which hit the top bin woodwork.

The game then calmed and reached halftime goalless.

The second half opened with a bang. In the very first minute Lazio equalised. Vittorio Malagoli committed a foul on Piola and Pisa took the subsequent freekick which penetrated the crowded area and beat Pietro Ferrari, 1-1.

The game was enjoyable with both teams attacking but without major chances.

In the 63rd minute Lazio went in front. Piola in an unusual defensive position hit the ball forward to Hengelbert Koenig who raced past Secondo Ricci and Aurelio Marchese and seeing Ferrari coming off his line hit a shot which went in under the crossbar, 2-1.

At this point a strong Bologna reaction was expected. It never really came also due to the fact that Sansone pulled a muscle so was exiled and innocuous on the wing. The Rossoblu still had two good chances but Puricelli missed them both from close range. The Uruguayan forward also hit a post but he was offside.

Lazio defended valiantly with Piola also helping out in defence and held on for a precious win. Final score: Lazio 2 Bologna 1.

A balanced game between two teams of similar level but Lazio had edged it and clinched a good first home win.

Who played for Lazio

Gradella, Romagnoli II, Monza II, Fazio, Ramella, Ferri, Koenig, Pisa I, Piola, Flamini, Puccinelli