Fair draw in difficult conditions

Dag Jenkins
Dec 11, 2022
2 min read

Season 1949-50

Game 15, Serie A

Sunday, December 11, 1949

Stadio Nazionale, Rome

Lazio-Fiorentina 1-1

The Romans and Florentines take a point each and play decent game despite very wet pitch

So far in Serie A Lazio were in 8th place on 16 points with Triestina. The Biancocelesti had won 6 (including derby 3-1), drawn 4 (including Milan 0-0 away) and lost 4. Three of the four defeats however had come in the first five matches.

In Serie A this season Fiorentina had won 8 (7 out of 7 at home), drawn 1 and lost 5. They were currently 5th, on 17 points with Como and Torino.

In theory an evenly balanced game today. Lazio had to hope the visitors' poor away form continued (5 defeats, 1 draw and only 1 win in 7 games on the road).

The match

A torrential rainy day in Rome brought about 12,000 spectators to watch the game. The playing conditions were not easy as the field was very heavy and slippery.

Lazio were without forward Romano Penzo while Fiorentina were missing forwards Giuseppe Chiappella and Riccardo Della Torre.

The match was lively and exciting despite the difficulties in dealing with the terrain.

In the first half Lazio attacked more but came up against a solid Fiorentina defence led by Cesare Meucci and Francesco Rosetta and helped by extremely mobile and active midfielder Augusto Magli.

Lazio however managed to score on a set-piece. In the 34th minute Leandro Remondini, from more than 30 metres out, unleashed a powerful shot which Leonardo Costagliola simply watched fly into the top hand corner, 1-0.

In the second half it was the Gigliati who were more positive. They equalised in the 64th minute. Alberto Galassi surged down the left and shot from a difficult angle but his shot slipped between the front post and the Lazio keeper, 1-1.

At this point it was Lazio who got the upper hand but the visitors contained their reaction well. It was not until the 88th minute that the Biancocelesti had a real clear chance to win the game. Alberto Eliani missed the ball and Ferenc Nyers suddenly found himself only five metres from goal and one-on-one with the keeper but the wet pitch and his hesitation allowed the defenders to get back and clear. Final score Lazio 1 Fiorentina 1.

A fair result in the end. Both sides had periods of dominance and a point each was probably the correct outcome. Considering the playing field, the game had been reasonably entertaining and played with good technique apart from a few inevitable slip ups.

Lazio were now 7th, on 17 points with Sampdoria, Atalanta and Torino. The Viola were 5th on 18 points, with Como.

Juventus were already running away at the top while Roma were involved in the relegation battle.

Who played for Lazio

Sentimenti IV, Antonazzi, Furiassi, Alzani, Remondini, Montanari, Puccinelli, Magrini, Höfling, Sentimenti III, Nyers II