Di Canio Double Gives Lazio Victory Over Sassuolo
- Simon Basten
- Aug 6, 2023
- 4 min read
Pre Season Friendly
Sunday, August 6, 1989
Stadio Comunale, Serramazzoni
Lazio Sassuolo 2-1
Di Canio strikes twice as Lazio overcome a determined Sassuolo side in their first serious pre-season test
Lazio were in the pre-season training at Serramazzoni from July 24 to August 14. They had played one friendly so far against the local team winning 14-0.
The match:
Lazio took their first real step towards the new season with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Sassuolo at Serramazzoni. Paolo Di Canio was the decisive figure, scoring twice to secure victory against an ambitious Sassuolo side who gave the Biancocelesti a much sterner examination than their previous friendly against Serramazzoni.
It was far from a straightforward afternoon for Giuseppe Materazzi's team. Sassuolo, one of the strongest sides in Serie C2, pressed aggressively from the opening whistle and showed enough quality to trouble Lazio for long periods. The victory was narrow, but the performance offered plenty of useful indications as the squad continued to build towards the competitive season.
Lazio quickly realised that this would be no exhibition match.
Sassuolo played with intensity and pace, pressing across the pitch and refusing to allow Lazio to settle into their rhythm. The Emilian side had finished fourth the previous season after challenging Carpi for promotion for much of the campaign and had strengthened further during the summer. Their ambitious squad included Italo Bertolutti, signed from Novara for a substantial fee, experienced midfielder Marco Silvestri from Foggia and striker Sergio D'Agostino, formerly of Reggiana.
It was D'Agostino who would cause Lazio's defence the most problems.
Lazio, meanwhile, had handed a first official appearance in the Biancocelesti shirt to Alessandro Bertoni, while Di Canio was already beginning to attract the attention of the large contingent of Lazio supporters who had travelled to watch the match.
The Roman immediately justified their enthusiasm.
After 20 minutes, Di Canio opened the scoring, putting Lazio ahead and continuing the impressive form he had shown during the early stages of his time with the club. His energy and direct running gave Sassuolo's defence constant problems, particularly when he moved towards the right flank.
Sassuolo, however, refused to be discouraged.
The home side continued to press and created difficulties for a Lazio defence that looked less convincing than the midfield in front of it. Angelo Gregucci and Roberto Soldà occasionally struggled to cope with the pace of the Sassuolo forwards, with D'Agostino particularly dangerous whenever he found space.
The pressure eventually produced an equaliser in the 37th minute.
Bertolutti, one of Sassuolo's best performers, delivered a precise cross from the right. Valerio Fiori came off his line but failed to deal with the ball, allowing D'Agostino to rise and head into the net.
The goal highlighted one of Lazio's weaknesses during the first half. The defence was repeatedly vulnerable to the speed of the Sassuolo attack, while Fiori was also partly at fault for failing to intercept the cross that led to the equaliser.
Lazio almost restored their advantage before half-time.
Amarildo, who had been closely watched by the Sassuolo defence, finally found some space in the closing stages of the half. In the 40th minute, he controlled a cross with his chest before striking on the volley with his right foot, forcing veteran goalkeeper Bertolini into a save. Three minutes later, the Brazilian produced a well-directed header that narrowly cleared the crossbar.
The Lazio midfield, however, was showing considerably more promise.
Di Canio was the standout performer, but Claudio Sclosa also impressed with a tireless display. The midfielder repeatedly won possession in the opposition half and immediately looked to launch attacks. Gabriele Pin offered quieter but increasingly effective support, while Pedro Troglio worked tirelessly, although he would need to add greater discipline to his game.
At half-time, Materazzi made a wholesale change to the defence.
Nando Orsi replaced Fiori in goal, while Marco Monti, Paolo Beruatto, Cristiano Bergodi and Massimo Piscedda all came on. Franco Marchegiani, who had started as a sweeper, remained on the pitch but moved into a more prominent role during the second half.
The changes immediately brought greater stability.
Monti, who had recovered from injury in remarkably quick time, dealt far more comfortably with D'Agostino than the defenders who had faced him during the opening 45 minutes. Bergodi and Piscedda were also reliable whenever Sassuolo threatened.
At the other end, Di Canio continued to be Lazio's greatest attacking weapon.
The Roman winger repeatedly accelerated down the right, leaving Sassuolo defenders struggling to contain him. His direct running forced the hosts into a series of fouls around the edge of the penalty area, although Lazio were unable to make the most of the resulting free-kicks.
Di Canio came close to scoring again in the 51st minute when his free-kick from the edge of the area struck the post.
Seven minutes later, however, he found the net for the second time.
His goal came in circumstances that left Sassuolo questioning whether he had been in an offside position, but the goal stood and Lazio were back in front.
The second goal reinvigorated the Biancocelesti, who began to put greater pressure on their opponents. Di Canio continued to terrorise the Sassuolo defence with his acceleration and movement, while Lazio's midfield increasingly took control.
Marchegiani was also involved at the other end of the pitch. The goalkeeper, who had impressed after moving out from between the posts, struck the woodwork in the 63rd minute, giving Lazio their second hit of the post in the second half after Di Canio's free-kick.
The match became increasingly open as Sassuolo searched for another equaliser, but Lazio's reshaped defence held firm.
Beruatto, deployed in a midfield role on the left, also impressed, while Monti ensured that D'Agostino was far less influential than he had been before the interval.
Lazio were unable to add a third goal, but the final whistle confirmed a 2-1 victory.
The result was narrow, but there was plenty for Materazzi to take from the afternoon.
Who played for Lazio
Fiori (46' Orsi), F.Marchegiani, Sergio (46' Beruatto), Pin (46' Monti), Gregucci (46' Bergodi), Soldà (46' Piscedda), Di Canio, Troglio (86' Delucca), Amarildo, Sclosa (70' Nardecchia), Bertoni
Manager: Materazzi
Who played for Sassuolo
Bertolini (46' Silvestri II), Residori (63' Meglioli), Negri, Bertolutti, Briga (61' Sacchetti), Di Gesù (67' Campioli), Schenardi (77' Bizzarri), Silvestri, D’Agostino (80' Martini), Roberto (46' Lagrasta), Tavaglione (46' Mantovani)
Manager: Capelli
Referee: Casoli
Goals: 20’ Di Canio, 37' D’Agostino, 60' Di Canio
Sources
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