Lazio Stun Juventus with Grit, Discipline, and Deadly Counterattacks

Simon Basten
Jun 2, 2023
4 min read

Season 1958-59

Game 33, Serie A

Tuesday, June 2, 1959

Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Lazio Juventus 1-0

Despite relentless pressure from Sivori, Charles, and Boniperti, Lazio hold firm and secure a prestigious 1–0 victory through resilience, organization, and inspired defending.

In Serie A after the first half of the season Lazio were 12th. They had won five but lost the derby with a Selmosson goal and suffered humiliating defeats (5-0 against Milan and 6-1 vs Juventus). The situation did not improve in the second part either. Never in real danger of relegation, but way too inconsistent to do anything better. They were currently 11th together with Genoa, six points clear of the relegation zone.

The match

The game quickly took on a balanced and lively character. Attacks and counterattacks followed one another at a fairly brisk pace. Nothing decisive emerged, however. The two defences allowed no openings. The first real thrill came in the 15th minute. John Charles burst forward on a long and powerful run, but Franco Janich was relentless and neutralized the danger with a perfectly timed and effective recovery.

Lazio responded immediately and with determination. From a penetrating pass by Bruno Franzini in the 16th minute, Claudio Bizzarri found himself able to charge directly toward goal: his final shot rattled the outside of the net.

In the 21st minute came a dazzling Juventus move: a passing exchange between Omar Sivori, Charles, Giorgio Stivanello, and Gianpiero Boniperti. The latter lost the right moment to shoot, but the captain did not give up and, pressured by a couple of defenders, slipped the ball to Stivanello. The shot on the run was immediate and powerful, but Idilio Cei responded magnificently with a flying save that sent the ball out for a corner.

Juventus became increasingly aggressive and threatening. Boniperti orchestrated move after move, but Charles lacked sharpness and, moreover, Janich appeared in outstanding form. Lazio, for their part, remained extremely dangerous on the counterattack, especially through Franzini and Bizzarri.

The contest began to heat up. In the 37th minute Lazio took the lead. The credit, strangely enough, went entirely to… Giuseppe Corradi, who, in his eagerness to stop one of Humberto Tozzi’s bursts forward, precisely drove the ball into the upper-left corner of his own net, producing the most unstoppable and spectacular own goal imaginable — a strike powerful enough to make the league’s top scorers envious.

Juventus absorbed the blow calmly. Their offensive pressure grew in intensity and determination. In the 38th minute Charles broke down the right flank; his cross bypassed even Cei, allowing Sivori an almost unchallenged attempt at the unguarded goal. But the shot was weak and unconvincing, and Franco Carradori managed to clear right off the line.

Lazio retreated deep into their own half. Juventus remained frustratingly sterile in attack. Thus the first half ended 1–0 in Lazio’s favour.

Play resumed with Juventus pushing hard for the equaliser. Lazio responded with order and determination. In the 57th minute of, a sweeping Charles-Sivori-Charles combination left the Welsh giant in the perfect position to shoot from close range, but the chance was squandered in surprisingly simple fashion.

A minute later Charles again charged forward, this time from a Boniperti pass, launching another assault on Lazio’s defensive fortress. Cei rushed out bravely to block and save the situation.

Juventus kept pressing. In the 61st minute Sivori broke into the Lazio penalty area; Carradori, more by instinct than cunning, handled the ball. A penalty was awarded. Rino Ferrario stepped up as the designated taker. The shot was well placed but lacked power. Cei, with a marvellous leap, guessed correctly and pushed the ball away for a corner, earning thunderous applause from the crowd.

Juventus now seemed to lose their composure. Ferrario indulged in a few challenges beyond the limits of the rules. Lazio sensed the psychological advantage and attempted to strike again. In the 67th minute Tozzi set up Bizzarri; the Lazio winger fired a lightning-fast diagonal shot, matched only by the equally brilliant flying Giuseppe Vavassori save.

In the 71st minute Egidio Fumagalli raced down the left flank before crossing to Tozzi who, after evading Ferrario, unleashed a true rocket shot while on the move. It missed by the narrowest of margins.

But Juventus remained indomitable. The team renewed its efforts with admirable pride. Charles threw himself into the battle with tremendous generosity and energy — but in vain. Lazio did not yield an inch and were able to bid farewell to their supporters in a festive and triumphant atmosphere, as demonstrated by the loud applause that greeted the final whistle.

In essence, Lazio closed their home season with a victory of undeniable prestige. Their performance was not dazzling, but it was certainly effective and intelligent. Acknowledging Juventus’ technical superiority, the Biancocelesti relied on speed and counterattacking football, aiming to remain compact without ever resigning themselves to passive resistance or adopting purely destructive tactics.

Who played for Lazio

Cei, Lo Buono, Eufemi, Carradori, Janich, Prini, Bizzarri, Franzini, Tozzi, Pozzan, Fumagalli