Game 1, Serie A
Sunday, September 15, 1963
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio Fiorentina 1-1
Lazio dominate second half but Albertosi and some imprecision deny the Biancocelesti a deserved win
A difficult debut for Lazio against a competitive "Viola".
The match
A good crowd of 55,000 were present at the Olimpico on a hot, cloudy September day.
The first shot of the game was by former Roma player Francisco Lojacono, but his effort was way over the bar and met with derision by the Lazio fans, mainly for his past choice of teams. Soon after Fiorentina gifted Lazio their first chance when Piero Gonfiantini sliced the ball in his own area, but Carlo Galli was as surprised as anyone and the opportunity went amiss. Lazio had a real chance in the 8th minute when Giancarlo Morrone teed up Graziano Landoni whose lob was tipped over the bar by Enrico Albertosi.
Then in the 11th minute the "Gigliati" took the lead. An excellent run by Giovan Battista Pirovano was followed by his cross for Kurt Hamrin who put the ball under the crossbar. Lazio 0 Fiorentina 1. The deadly Swede had struck again.
Lazio reacted but Mario Maraschi was too hesitant on a good assist by Morrone and lost the moment. Then Diego Zanetti saved the day with a last-ditch tackle on Hamrin who was surging towards the goal. Hamrin then became the assist man but his pass was wasted by Juan Seminario.
Towards the end of the half Lazio had two interesting freekicks, the first by Morrone went wide while the second came back off the wall and then Zanetti's subsequent shot shaved the post. Half time Lazio 0 Fiorentina 1.
A balanced 45 minutes but Hamrin making the difference for now.
Lazio came out for the second half ready for battle and immediately put the Florentines on the back foot. In the 53rd minute Lazio were awarded a penalty after Morrone set up Galli but he was fouled by Pirovano. Maraschi took the spot kick and sent the ball one way and Albertosi the other. Lazio 1 Fiorentina 1.
Lazio at this point, spurred on by the home crowd, went for the kill. The Biancocelesti had several chances over the next 15 minutes. Albertosi was superb on a close range Maraschi shot, then Galli fired just over the bar and then Albertosi again palmed a Maraschi effort into corner.
The assault on Fort Viola was temporarily interrupted in the 69th minute when Hamrin hit the post on the break.
Then it was all Lazio again. First Galli headed to Landoni but the Lombard striker hammered over the crossbar from an inviting position and then Maraschi miskicked from an even more favourable spot in front of goal. Final score Lazio 1 Fiorentina 1.
The visitors had deserved the first half lead but the Biancocelesti had completely dominated the second and would have deserved a victory. A good and promising performance by Lazio. The four Serie A debutants; Landoni, Zanetti, Gianfranco Garbuglia and Nello Governato had done well. Paolo Carosi had been positive on his return and Galli proved he could be useful with his Serie A experience.
Who played for Lazio
Manager: Lorenzo
Who played for Fiorentina
Albertosi, Robotti, Castelletti, Pirovano, Gonfiantini, Marchesi, Hamrin, Lojacono, Seminario, Maschio, Canella
Manager: Valcareggi
Referee: Campanati
Goals: 11' Hamrin, 53' Maraschi (pen)
Sources
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