Lazio topple league leaders Juventus

Dag Jenkins
Dec 21, 2023
3 min read

Season 1930-31

Game 13, Serie A

Sunday, December 21, 1930

Stadio Rondinella, Rome

Lazio Juventus 2-1

Pastore and Cevenini V give Biancocelesti prestigious win

Lazio were currently in 5th position on 16 points. The Biancocelesti had won 7 (including Milan 1-0 away and Genoa 5-0 at home), drawn 2 (including Roma 1-1 away) and lost 3.

Juventus were top of the table on 21 points. The Bianconeri had won 10, (including Milan 3-0 away and the derby 2-0 at home), drawn 1 and lost 1 (Napoli 1-2 at home).

A big match in Rome today for Lazio against league leaders and Scudetto favourites Juventus.

The match

An overcast and cold day in the capital for this much awaited clash. The stadium was full and the demand for tickets hugely exceeded the 20,000 sold. It was so packed that a part of the stand would later give way during the game but fortunately no-one was injured.

Lazio had no absences while the Bianconeri were missing attacking midfielder Renato Cesarini (so less possibility of late drama…).

The first twenty minutes were extremely balanced with both sides dangerous.

The deadlock was broken in the 20th minute as Lazio scored. The Biancocelesti had a freekick into the box cleared by the defence, it was then picked up by Alfredo Foni who swiftly passed it to Piero Pastore whose shot gave Gianpiero Combi no chance, 1-0.

Lazio almost made it two in the 39th minute but Combi saved well on a powerful Foni freekick. Halftime Lazio 1 Juventus 0, a deserved lead so far.

Lazio started strongly in the second half too but in the 51st minute the Bianconeri equalised. A prolonged and scrappy move was then resolved successfully by Giovanni Ferrari who hit a long-range effort which caught Ezio Sclavi off guard, 1-1.

At this point Juventus were forced on the defensive as Lazio piled forward. Lazio accumulated a series of corners and finally made the breakthrough in the 74th minute. Mario Malatesta went forward on the right and fed Luigi Ziroli who despite being challenged by Carlo Bigatto managed to put in a precise cross, Carlo Cevenini V running in hit a first-time belter which beat Combi, 2-1.

Juventus reacted putting Lazio under pressure but did not create any clear-cut chances. In the 82nd minute it was Lazio who scored again with Pastore but Malatesta was judged to have been in offside.

Juventus had two last possibilities, first Giovanni Vecchina was caught offside but he continued and scored anyway and then Sclavi had to parry a thundering Federico Muneratti drive in the dying seconds. Final score Lazio 2 Juventus 1.

A fantastic win for Lazio against league leaders and Scudetto favourites Juventus. The Biancocelesti had played well but had also possibly been favoured by the "Old Lady's" defensive approach after their equaliser. Lazio had taken control of the midfield and got the winner.

Lazio were now 5th on 18 points. Juventus were still top on 21 points but only one ahead of Roma (who had beaten Torino 4-1 away) and two ahead of Bologna (Brescia 7-1 at home) and Napoli (Milan 3-2 away).

Who played for Lazio

Sclavi, Tognotti, Mattei II, Pardini, Furlani, Caimmi, Ziroli, Foni, Pastore, Malatesta, Cevenini V