Lazio overwhelm Juventus Audax

Simon Basten

Oct 25, 2022

3 min read

Season 1919-20

Game 2, Trofeo Alberto Canalini

Sunday, October 26, 1919

Campo della Rondinella, Rome

Lazio Juventus Audax 4-0

Four goals, a controversial decision and a late penalty save see the Biancocelesti dominate their old rivals in the Trofeo Canalini

Finally after the First World War the National First Category League was about to begin but before that there was the Trofeo Alberto Canalini.

Alberto Canalini was one of the Lazio’s athletes who had perished during the war and the Biancocelesti had organised a tournament in his name.

Throughout the competition, a cross bearing a Bersaglieri hat was planted in the ground in memory of Alberto.

It was held again in October 1920 and 1921.

The other teams playing were Audace, Juventus Audax who at taken the place of Fortitudo at the last minute, and US Romana. Lazio had beaten Audace 3-1 in the first game.

The match

Lazio produced a convincing performance against Juventus Audax in the Trofeo Canalini, defeating their old rivals 4-0 in a match that combined attacking football, stubborn resistance and some extraordinary late drama.

The two sides entered the field to the traditional cheers of the spectators, with Juventus kicking off. Lazio immediately took the initiative.

An early free-kick from Carlo Maranghi was dealt with by the Juventus goalkeeper, while another set-piece at the opposite end came to nothing. Lazio continued to press and, after only six minutes, their pressure was rewarded.

Alfredo Cella collected the ball on the right wing and sent a cross towards the Juventus goal. The ball evaded the defence and found the back of the net, giving Lazio an early lead.

The Biancocelesti continued to attack, forcing Juventus into a largely defensive role, although the black-and-whites remained dangerous on the counter-attack. Fernando Saraceni, Augusto Faccani and Maranghi were repeatedly called upon to break up their advances. Alessandro Varini came close with a dangerous cross that was punched clear by the Juventus goalkeeper.

The pace of the game continued to increase. Faccani, who had jokingly warned beforehand that he no longer wanted to be called "old Faccani", was at the centre of much of Lazio's attacking play. One of his powerful efforts forced a Juventus handball and the referee awarded a penalty.

Maranghi took responsibility from the spot. His firmly struck effort flew high into the goal beyond the goalkeeper's reach, making it 2-0 after 25 minutes.

Lazio almost added a third moments later. Faccani unleashed another shot from around 30 metres which the goalkeeper could not hold. The ball struck the crossbar and dropped behind him, possibly over the goal line. The referee, however, refused to award the goal. The decision was controversial, with the contemporary report acknowledging that the matter was open to debate.

Juventus were struggling to contain Lazio's flowing attacks. A combination between Marcello Consiglio and Cella eventually opened the defence, with the ball returning to Consiglio before he found Aldo Fraschetti close to goal. From only three metres, Fraschetti made no mistake and fired Lazio's third into the net.

Juventus attempted to respond, but Lazio remained firmly in control. The second half continued in much the same fashion, with most of the play taking place in Juventus territory, although the visitors occasionally threatened on the break.

Lazio's pressure eventually produced a fourth goal. Consiglio moved out towards the right, evaded Gatto and calmly finished to make it 4-0.

Only then did Juventus launch a sustained response. Gatto forced a good save from the Lazio goalkeeper with a free-kick, while another rapid attack required Faccani and his teammates to intervene.

The final stages became increasingly chaotic. Fulvio Bernardini was called upon to make one difficult save after another, and Juventus were eventually awarded a penalty. Nunzi stepped forward, but the Lazio goalkeeper produced the save of the match, throwing himself down towards the corner to gather the ball and preserve his clean sheet. The save was greeted with loud applause.

By now darkness was descending over the field. The contemporary account joked that even the referee could have done with a lantern. He called the two captains together to ask whether they wished to continue. Both sides gave the same answer: they wanted to carry on.

The final ten minutes were consequently played in increasingly difficult conditions, but Lazio held firm to complete an emphatic 4-0 victory.

It was a thoroughly deserved win for the Biancocelesti, who combined quick passing and attacking variety with a strong defensive performance. Cella, Maranghi, Fraschetti and Consiglio provided the goals, while Bernardini's penalty save ensured that Juventus would leave without even a consolation goal.

Who played for Lazio

Bernardini, Maranghi, Saraceni I, Cella II, Faccani, Orazi I, Cella I, Fraschetti, Consiglio, Raffo, Varini