Lazio have lift off

Dag Jenkins

Sep 29, 2022

3 min read

Season 1996-97

Game 4, Serie A

Sunday, September 29, 1996

Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Lazio - Parma 2-1

The Biancocelesti get their first league win at fourth attempt

Ticket owned by Dag Jenkins, photo by Dag Jenkins

The Serie A campaign had started very badly for Lazio with two defeats (Bologna 0-1 away and Udinese 0-1 at home) and then a 1-1 away draw at Inter. They were currently 16th (in B zone), time to get a win.

In Serie A Parma had started well with 2 wins (Napoli 3-0 and Reggiana 3-2 at home) and a draw (Piacenza 0-0 away). The Gialloblu were joint top on 7 points with Juventus and Inter.

A big game today between two ambitious clubs but both with a few problems to sort out.

The match

A sunny day and classic Sunday afternoon kick off time attracted about 40,000 to the Olimpico.

Lazio had no real absences while Parma were without defender Antonio Benarrivo and forward Hernan Crespo.

Lazio played in their classic light blue shirts while Parma played in uncharacteristic bright orange.

Lazio started hesitantly and Parma took advantage. Lazio keeper Luca Marchegiani had to parry an Enrico Chiesa shot and Alessandro Nesta had to work overtime to keep the Gialloblu at bay.

Lazio gradually stirred and scored but it was disallowed for a millimetrical offside. Gigi Casiraghi went for a scissor kick and Igor Protti anticipated Luca Bucci and scored from close range. All in vain as the linesman's flag went up.

The goal however was only delayed a few minutes. In the 25th minute Beppe Signori hit the post and the ball fell to Protti who had an easy tap-in, 1-0.

Parma's reaction was all in a missed header by Nestor Sensini and a mishit effort by Chiesa.

Lazio finished the half attacking and Protti went close with a lob following a defensive blunder.

The second half saw Lazio continue to be dangerous. Casiraghi's powerful header was saved by Bucci with the help of the crossbar.

Nesta continued to dominate in defence and in the 62nd minute Lazio doubled the score. Paul Okon set up Casiraghi who domesticated the ball, pushed it into the area and shot but the ball was walled by a defender, however it bounced up nicely for the striker who tried again and this time blasted a left foot past Bucci, 2-0.

Parma's response was an ambitious volley by Chiesa which flew high and wide.

At this point Parma threw on forward Alessandro Melli and took off midfielder Pietro Strada.

The Ducali pulled one back immediately. Gianfranco Zola chipped a free kick to the far post where Dino Baggio headed a floating lobbed header in on the opposite post, 2-1.

Lazio decided attack was the best form of defence and went for the third goal. The Biancocelesti had a long range shot by Pavel Nedved, a lobbed header by Signori and a double attempt by José Antonio Chamot but Bucci was on form and saved.

In the 75th minute Chiesa teed up Zola who had only the keeper to beat but fortunately for Lazio the flag went up.

In the 83rd minute Signori went off and was replaced by Roberto Rambaudi. The Moncalieri-born winger immediately had a chance but fired wide.

Parma tried a final forcing but apart from a few corners and a couple of scrambles in the area they were unable to seriously threaten Marchegiani.

In the 90th minute to break up the game a bit Zeman took off Okon and introduced Dario Marcolin. Final score Lazio 2 Parma 1.

A good win for Lazio against rivals for the European slots. Lazio had been the better team and should have scored more goals while Parma badly missed a goalscorer like Crespo up front.

Lazio were now joint 12th on 4 points while Parma were joint 4th on 7 points.

Who played for Lazio

Marchegiani, Negro, Nesta, Chamot, Favalli, Fuser, Okon (90' Marcolin), Nedved, Signori (83' Rambaudi), Casiraghi, Protti