Good win on a wet pitch

Simon Basten
Feb 22, 2023
2 min read

Season 1947-48

Game 23, Serie A

Sunday, February 22, 1948

Stadio Nazionale, Rome

Lazio Salernitana 3-1

Despite a waterlogged pitch, Lazio manage to beat Salernitana

After the first half of the season Lazio were 13th with 17 points, just two points above the relegation zone. They had beaten Inter and drawn away to Juventus but had lost the derby. Toni Cargnelli was sacked and replaced with Orlando Tognotti. In his first game the Biancocelesti had been slaughtered 5-2 by Milan. Today was a must win.

The match

With the exception of a few moments, it rained throughout the entire match with the pitch looking more like a swimming pool. Hence the sparce crowd did not see much of a spectacle.

Lazio however started well and after 11 minutes were already ahead. Mario Magrini from 30 metres let off a thundering shot which Vittorio Masci could not do very much about.

At this point Salernitana took control of the game and Uber Gradella was called into action more than once though it was only on an Elio Onorato shot that he really needed to be miraculous. In the 35th minute the visitors equalised with Onorato on a free kick.

Two minutes from the end of the first half Lazio scored again with Romano Penzo who managed to deflect a Romolo Alzani shot with a winning header.

In the second half Salernitana increased the pressure but it was difficult to play due to the conditions of the pitch. Sergio Piacentini and Leandro Remondini with long passes kept the visitors at bay and allowed Magrini, Umberto Lombardini and Penzo to shoot but they were always off target. With four minutes to go the Biancocelesti finally scored their third. Enrique Flamini, Magrini, Lombardini all tried shots but in the end it was Penzo who made it 3-1.