Finally, a derby win

Dag Jenkins
Jan 19, 2023
3 min read

Season 1935-36

Round of 16, Coppa Italia

Sunday, January 19, 1936

Stadio PNF, Rome

Lazio Roma 2-1

Lazio score two in first half and then survive Roma comeback

In today's competition, the Coppa Italia, Lazio had eliminated Venezia 2-0 at home to get to this last 16 clash with city rivals Roma who got to this derby by winning 4-0 away at Foggia.

Roma were favourites today. They were higher in the table and had already beaten Lazio in the league, albeit 1-0 with a last-minute winner. As one knows however in derbies it's not always convenient to be seen as favourites.

The match

A grey, windy but mild day in the capital with about 15,000 spectators present. The atmosphere was vibrant for this big game.

Lazio were without midfielder Luigi Uneddu while Roma were missing forward Otello Subinaghi.

Lazio had the wind behind them in the first half and took control of the game. The Biancocelesti played in Roma's half for almost the entire period.

This clear superiority brought with it several chances and two goals. In the 34th minute Lazio had a free kick for a handball by Evaristo Frisoni. Giuseppe Viani took it and Guido Masetti saved but the referee claimed he had come out of his designated limit and so awarded an indirect free kick. On the second attempt Anfilogino "Filó" Guarisi passed to Virgilio Felice Levratto who crossed for Bruno Camolese who struck a shot but it was deflected into corner by a defender. It seemed Lazio had missed their chance but, on the corner, Silvio Piola anticipated the keeper and headed in, 1-0.

The second goal came three minutes later. Again, Lazio had a free kick but Masetti tipped Guarisi's attempt over the bar so the Biancocelesti had another corner. This time Camolese, possibly favoured by the wind, hit it straight into the back of the net, 2-0.

In the second half fortunately for Lazio the wind died down slightly but Roma still got the upper hand, pushed forward and had a few chances.

In the 63rd minute Ernesto Tomasi was denied by the woodwork.

In the 68th minute the Giallorossi halved the deficit. The move started with Domenico D'Alberto, then Giacomo Valentini volleyed to Andrea Gabaldi who headed towards the corner of the goal, Giacomo Blason stretched low and managed to touch it but could not keep it out, 2-1.

Roma then almost equalised late on but Fulvio Bernardini's effort shaved the post and hit the side netting. The movement of the net gave some Romanisti the optical illusion of a goal but the celebrations were short lived, at the final whistle it was Lazio 2 Roma 1.

The Lazio fans celebrated wildly as after several years of disappointment they had finally got the better of the "Lupacchiotti". Lazio had not won a derby since October 23, 1932

Lazio had played well both in defence and attack and been tactically perfect. Roma had played more with passion and vigour than with lucidity, lacking balance and attacking organisation.

Lazio had won the derby but were also through to the quarter-finals.

Who played for Lazio

Blason, Zacconi, Monza II, Baldo, Turchi, Viani I, Guarisi, D'Odorico, Piola, Camolese, Levratto