All quiet on the Roman front

Dag Jenkins
Nov 15, 2023
3 min read

Season 1964-65

Game 9, Serie A

Sunday, November 15, 1964

Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Lazio Roma 0-0

A goalless derby where both sides prime objective was to avoid a defeat

So far Lazio had played 8 games, winning 1 (Varese 3-1 at home), drawing 2 (including Inter 1-1 at home) and losing 5 (including last two). Not a great start and the Biancocelesti were in 16th place on 4 points with Genoa and in the third relegation slot (safety was two points above - Messina and Cagliari on 6 points).

Roma had won 3, drawn 3 (including Inter 0-0 away) and lost 2. The Lupi were 7th, on 9 points with Juventus, and unbeaten in the last 4 games.

Looking at the table Roma were favourites today but in a Roman derby that does not mean much and Lazio also had a point to prove to "traitor" Juan Carlos Lorenzo who, after falling out with the directors over contractual issues, signed a more lucrative contract with the "cousins".

The match: Sunday, November 15, 1964, Stadio Olimpico, Rome

A cloudy but dry day in the Eternal City brought just under 50,000 to the Olimpico. The ticket prices were high and Lazio set their new income record with almost fifty-seven million lire.

Lazio chose Gianfranco Petris over Vito D'Amato while Roma played forward Bruno Nicolè but not Fulvio Francesconi.

The game was extremely blocked right from the start. Both sides were frozen by the fear of losing and gave priority to not conceding.

In the first half neither keeper had to make any saves worthy of mention. The only real chance fell to Roma in the 40th minute but Antonio Angelillo mishit from a favourable position.

Goalless at halftime but the general consensus was that Lorenzo was playing into Lazio's hands by being so cautious. The game was physical and tense but by no means spectacular.

At the beginning of the second half Roma looked as if they were attempting to accelerate a little. Lazio were put in more difficulty but without excessive risks.

In the 62nd minute Lazio defender Paolo Carosi went a bit too far in blocking Karl-Heinz Schnellinger but the referee was lenient and his cards remained in his pocket. The Roman born defender was otherwise tough but impeccable in his defending.

In mid-half the Giallorossi produced their maximum efforts. In the 67th minute Lamberto Leonardi went down the wing and put in a good cross, Piero Dotti cleared but only to "Picchio" De Sisti whose close-range strike was brilliantly saved by Idilio Cei.

Then in the 72nd minute Angellillo, set up by De Sisti, ran into the box on the left and let off a cross goal shot which shaved the far post.

The biggest chance however was Lazio's and came a minute later. In the 78th minute Giampaolo Piaceri had a freekick parried by Fabio Cudicini and on the rebound Petris shot straight at the keeper, the ball came back to him but he incredibly kicked it into the side netting. A colossal chance missed.

After these scares the game became blocked again as neither team wanted to risk losing the derby in the final minutes. Final score Lazio 0 Roma 0.

A hard fought, physical but ultimately eventless and disappointing derby. The defensive approach by both sides had stifled the attacks. Both defences had played well, Schnellinger for Roma and Carosi for Lazio with standout performances but neither side had done enough to deserve a win.

Lazio were now 16th on 5 points with Genoa and one point from survival (Messina and Cagliari on 6 points).

Roma were 8th on 9 points with Juventus.

Who played for Lazio

Cei, Zanetti, Dotti, Carosi, Pagni, Gasperi, Piaceri, Christensen, Petris, Governato, Mari