Southern Division FInal, Second Leg
Sunday, July 1, 1923
Campo Rondinella, Rome
Lazio Savoia 4-1
Lazio thrash Savoia and reach Scudetto final
Lazio had qualified for the Lega Sud Interregional Semifinal group consisting of three other teams (Internaples, Libertas Palermo and Ideale Bari). The Biancocelesti had won all six matches (Internaples 4-0 and 3-0, Libertas Palermo 3-2 and 10-2, Ideale Bari 3-0 and 6-0). The winner of the group then played the Lega Sud Final to get to the National Final for the Scudetto.
Lazio therefore had a home and away clash with Savoia from Torre Annunziata (Naples)
The first leg, played on June 24, had ended up 3-3. Now was the decisive return match in Rome.
There was great excitement for this important match and thousands had come up from Naples too. It was a hot day but this decider attracted a big crowd.
The first fifteen minutes were tense and very balanced. The first clear chance fell to the "Biancoscudati" visitors when a powerful Ernesto Ghisi I shot was well saved by Ettore Agazzani.
Gradually, however, Lazio gained the upper hand and started to attack with continuity. The constant pressure was rewarded in the 36th minute. From a visitor's corner Aldo Fraschetti went on a long counterattacking run and shot at goal, the keeper saved but lost control of the ball on a Pio Maneschi challenge and Fulvio Bernardini was there to slot the ball in. Lazio 1 Savoia 0. Halftime Lazio ahead.
In the second half Lazio continued on the front foot and the "Torresi" seemed to be tiring. In the 55th minute Lazio scored again. A Bernardini shot was punched out by Vittorio Pelvi but Maneschi pounced and hammered in the rebound to put Lazio two nil up.
Lazio were in control and in the 73rd minute made it three. Fraschetti again went down the wing and set up Bernardini with a perfect low cross, "Fuffo" made no mistake and it was 3-0.
In the 85th minute Savoia salvaged some pride when an Angelo Parodi solo initiative took him through the Lazio defence and beat Agazzani from close range. 3-1.
It was too little too late however, and a minute later Lazio struck again. It was the deadly duo Fraschetti-Bernardini with a similar move to the third goal. Lazio 4 Savoia 1.
A deserved win for Lazio who were champions of the Centre-South. They had been better organized, sharper and generally more skilful than their Campania counterparts. The Roman Eagles had earned themselves a crack at the Scudetto.
The opposition would be Genoa who had eliminated Pro Vercelli and Padova in a three-team North League Final. The "Grifoni" already had seven Scudetti to their name.
Who played for Lazio
Agazzani, Saraceni I, Dosio, Faccani, Parboni, Orazi, Fraschetti, Filippi, Bernardini, Maneschi, Saraceni II
Manager: Baccani
Who played for Savoia
Pelvi, Nebbia, Lo Bianco, Della Croce, Ranghino, Cassese, Tieghi, Ghisi I, Bobbio, Parodi, Capra
Referee: Mauro
Goals: 36' Bernardini, 55' Maneschi, 73' Bernardini, 85' Parodi, 88' Bernardini
Sources
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