Lazio End Bologna’s Unbeaten Run in Convincing Victory

Simon Basten
Mar 26, 2023
3 min read

Season 1949-50

Game 30, Serie A

Sunday, March 26, 1950

Stadio Nazionale, Rome

Lazio Bologna 3-2

Hofling Leads the Charge as Lazio Dominate and Dethrone Bologna

Lazio took a few games to develop into a team but when they did they became a force to reckon with. The Biancocelesti crushed Roma in the derby 3-1, won 5-2 away against Sampdoria and demolished Novara at home 4-0. At the end of the first half of the season they were joint seventh with other teams. They then went on to beat Juventus away and had just come from a draw with Roma. They were currently 5th.

The match

Lazio produced a commanding display to defeat Bologna and bring an end to the Rossoblu’s recent aura of invincibility. Despite a late scare, the Biancocelesti’s superiority over the course of the match made the result beyond dispute.

Cancelling a three-goal deficit against the current Lazio side proved an insurmountable task even for a Bologna team renowned for its fighting spirit and comeback ability. Although the burly Hungarian forward Istvan Mike struck twice late on with close-range efforts, Lazio were never seriously rattled. Greater defensive vigilance and renewed determination were enough to steady the hosts and see the game out.

Lazio seized control from the outset. As early as the 3rd minute, Norberto Hofling might have opened the scoring but fired straight at Angelo Boccardi when well placed. The Bologna goalkeeper was again called into action in the 18th minute, producing a superb save from Leandro Remondini’s curling free kick.

The breakthrough came shortly afterward. A corner delivered by Vittorio Sentimenti III was met by a magnificent header from Hofling, finally beating Boccardi. Buoyed by the goal and inspired by Enrique Flamini’s creativity, Lazio pressed forward relentlessly. Boccardi had to rush out bravely to deny Romano Penzo as the visitors struggled to respond.

In the 42nd minute, Lazio doubled their lead. Gianmarco Mezzadri hesitated in possession near his own goal, allowing Hofling to pounce and apply the decisive touch past Boccardi. Remarkably, Bologna had not managed a single shot on target before halftime.

Expectations of a Bologna resurgence after the break proved unfounded. Lazio returned to the field determined to build on their advantage. Mezzadri nearly compounded his earlier error with an own goal, and shortly afterward Romolo Alzani struck the crossbar with a fierce effort.

The third goal arrived in the 16th minute of the second half. Aldo Puccinelli surged into the penalty area, trusting Hofling’s precise cross. The delivery was perfect, and the winger calmly beat a stationary Boccardi. Bologna protested for a possible offside, but the goal stood.

With a comfortable lead, Lazio eased their tempo and briefly lost focus. Mike struck the crossbar before finally pulling one back, finishing from close range after a well-worked move involving Corrado Bernicchi, Carlo Matteucci, and Cesarino Cervellati.

In the 38th minute, Mike struck again, slipping between defenders and capitalizing on loose rebounds to score his second and inject tension into the closing stages. The crowd, some of whom had begun to leave earlier, remained rooted to their seats as anxiety spread through the stadium.

Lazio responded like a wounded lion. Penzo saw a powerful effort cleared off the line by Guglielmo Giovannini, while the midfielders dropped deeper to reinforce the defence.

Despite late pressure and some irritation from Bologna over referee Scotto’s perceived home leanings, Lazio’s victory was fully deserved. The Romans controlled two-thirds of the contest, with standout performances from Puccinelli, Flamini, Sergio Piacentini, Sentimenti III and Remondini.

By the final whistle, Lazio had not only secured an impressive win but also stripped Bologna of their unbeaten aura — a statement performance from a side in splendid form this season.

Who played for Lazio

Sentimenti IV, Piacentini, Remondini, Furiassi, Alzani, Sentimenti III, Puccinelli, Magrini, Hofling, Flamini, Penzo