Game 1, Serie A
Sunday, August 27, 1995
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio Piacenza 4-1
The striker, who was supposed to be sold, opens the score for an ultimately comfortable win
First game of the season, few predicted anything other than a Lazio win today.
The match
A hot, late August afternoon saw about 45,000 spectators gather at the Olimpico for Lazio's league debut.
Lazio had a few surprises in the line-up, Marco Piovanelli and Massimiliano Esposito and no Aron Winter or Roberto Rambaudi, while the Emiliani fielded an entirely Italian XI, a rarity in modern football.
Lazio attacked constantly from the start but were well contained by the visitors. Lazio either messed up the last pass or were not clinical with their finishing.
In the 12th minute Mirko Conte was forced off injured and replaced by Stefano Maccoppi.
Lazio's pressure was finally rewarded in the 33rd minute. A lovely, low ball by Roberto Di Matteo cut through the Biancorossi's defence and found Beppe Signori who went round the keeper and scored with his weak foot. Lazio 1 Piacenza 0.
A few minutes later, on a Guerino Gottardi cross from the right, Diego Fuser already tried for the potential goal of the season but his scissor kick volley took a deflection and went just over the bar. Half time Lazio 1 Piacenza 0.
For the second half the Bohemian coach decided to put Aron Winter on for Piovanelli.
Lazio doubled their lead almost immediately. In the 47th minute after a good team move involving Esposito, Alen Boksic and Roberto Di Matteo, saw Signori cross from the left and Esposito, who had started the move, volleyed, the ball took a deflection and spun up and into the left-hand corner. He had hit it well but the defenders touch had possibly been decisive, Lazio 2 Piacenza 0.
On the hour the Poppies put on a striker, Massimiliano Cappellini, for a midfielder, Angelo Carbone.
It was Lazio however who continued on the front foot and Signori fired just over the bar after a neat combination with Esposito. The blond striker went off a few minutes later replaced by Gigi Casiraghi and two minutes later Piacenza responded by throwing on Daniele Moretti for Eugenio Corini.
In the 75th minute Esposito got his brace for a dream debut. The Neapolitan was teed up by Di Matteo inside the area on the right and beat Massimo Taibi with a precise, low right foot on the near post. Lazio 3 Piacenza 0.
A minute later Esposito went off to deserved applause and was replaced by Roberto Rambaudi.
In the 79th minute the Biancocelesti made it four. Boksic charged into the area and was challenged by the keeper who dived low at Boksic's feet to get the ball, the Croat pushed it past him and then went down. Did he go into Taibi on purpose and fall, did Taibi touch the ball and then clip him as the replays indicated? Who knows, but in Italy nine times out of ten the referees gave these penalties, as did Borriello today. Casiraghi scored but had to take it again and placed it to the left of Taibi who went the other way. Lazio 4 Piacenza 0.
The away side's defender and captain Settimio Lucci for one was not pleased and protested animatedly with the referee.
With five minutes to go Piacenza too were awarded a penalty. It was a generous one to say the least, maybe a form of compensation. Nicola Caccia went past Gottardi but then stumbled and collapsed just inside the area. Caccia himself took it and placed it perfectly in the top left-hand corner. Lazio 4 Piacenza 1.
Lucci then continued in his disagreements with the referee and was sent off. Final score Lazio 4 Piacenza 1.
A good debut for Lazio. After some initial difficulties the quality of their attacking football had swept Piacenza away.
Who played for Lazio
Marchegiani, Gottardi, Negro, Chamot, Favalli, Fuser, Di Matteo, Piovanelli (46' Winter), M.Esposito (76' Rambaudi), Boksic, Signori (63' Casiraghi)
Manager: Zeman
Who played for Piacenza
Taibi, Polonia, Lucci, Rossini, Conte (12' Maccoppi), Turrini, Corini (65' Moretti), Carbone (60' Cappellini), Di Francesco, Caccia, Piovani
Substitutes: Simoni, Brioschi
Manager: Cagni
Referee: Borriello
Goals: 33' Signori, 47' M.Esposito, 75' M.Esposito, 79' Casiraghi (pen), 86' Caccia (pen)
Red card: 87' Lucci
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