Piola Shines as Lazio Overpower Livorno 3–0

Simon Basten
Nov 14, 2022
2 min read

Season 1937-38

Game 9, Serie A

Sunday, November 14, 1937

Stadio del PNF, Rome

Lazio Livorno 3-0

Blason and Bulgheri star in goalkeeping duel, but Lazio’s class and sharp finishing prove decisive

Source Il Calcio Illustrato on Lazio Wiki

This season in Serie A the Biancocelesti were doing very well and were third, in the company of Bologna and Ambrosiana Inter, just one point behind leaders Roma and Juventus.

The match

At the Stadio PNF in Rome, Lazio produced an entertaining clash full of pace, chances, and goalkeeping heroics—but it was Silvio Piola and his teammates who ultimately made the difference, sealing a 3–0 victory over Livorno.

The opening stages were frantic. Livorno started brightly, with Giacomo Neri and Angelo Pomponi testing Giacomo Blason, while Attilio Bulgheri denied Giovanni Riccardi at the other end. Both keepers were in top form, and the crowd roared with every end-to-end break. Livorno looked the more adventurous side, forcing corners and moving the ball with freedom, but they couldn’t find the breakthrough.

Instead, Lazio struck first. After Piola missed a golden chance in the 37th minute, he made amends almost immediately. Umberto Busani beat his man on the right and crossed. Piola, completely unmarked, stunned the crowd with a spectacular overhead finish to put Lazio 1–0 up.

Livorno responded with spirit—Pomponi’s free kick brought another fine save from Blason, and Neri went close just before the interval—but the visitors went into halftime trailing.

The second half began with Lazio on the front foot. Piola threatened again, while Livorno’s Bruno Arcari IV saw two opportunities wasted—one high over the bar, the other smothered by Blason. As Ostillio Capaccioli struggled with injury, Livorno gradually lost momentum, and Lazio took full advantage. In the 32nd minute, Libero Marchini’s incisive pass released Busani, who cut inside Pietro Del Buono and slotted home for 2–0.

From there, Lazio never looked back. With Livorno’s defence caught up trying to contain Piola, Riccardi found himself free on the counterattack and calmly scored Lazio’s third in the 38th minute. Livorno’s final push produced only a wayward effort from Aldo Querci, while Bulgheri kept the score line from getting worse with a few late saves.

In the end, Lazio’s clinical finishing and composure under pressure proved too much. Livorno had their moments, and Blason was outstanding at the back, but Piola’s brilliance set the tone for a decisive home win.

Who played for Lazio

Blason, Zacconi, Monza II, Camolese, Viani, Milano, Busani, Riccardi, Piola, Marchini, Capri