March 24, 1946: Roma Lazio 0-1

Simon Basten
2 hours ago
4 min read

Koenig Decides the Derby

Lazio’s superiority goes beyond the scoreline as Roma falter in midfield

The season so far

The war was over but Italy was in ruins. It was difficult to travel in the country so the Italian Football Federation decided to start the season anyway, but with a different formula. Serie A and B were joined as one and split into a northern league and a centre southern one.

Lazio played in the latter which had difficulty in finding 12 teams. In the end there were eleven since Pisa did not have the funds and MATER had been dissolved. The top four in each group would go on to play a final round robin.

Today was the last game of the group round. Lazio had not done well. After a terrible start they had improved but not enough to reach the final round robin. They were seventh on 17 points having won 5, drawn five and lost 9. They had changed manager three times during the season: from Dino Canestri to Salvatore Gualtieri as player/manager to Tony Cargnelli at the end of February.

Roma had already qualified for the final round.

The match: Sunday, March 24, 1946, Stadio Nazionale, Rome

What no one expected. Excluded from the finals because of the tournament’s unfortunate twists, the Biancocelesti softened the bitter pill dealt to their supporters by defeating a strong Roma side in a match that was not always attractive in terms of play or style, but was gripping for its intensity and drive.

Lazio unquestionably deserved the victory; indeed, their superiority was far greater than the narrow 1–0 final score suggests. The decisive goal came from Henglebert Koenig, who ruthlessly took advantage of a double mistake by Fosco Risorti and Sergio Andreoli in the 25^th minute. Lazio controlled the match at will and forced the Giallorossi into constant, and not always effective, defensive work.

Roma completely failed their test: their midfield collapsed after just half an hour, the wing-halves were inadequate, and from that point on they ceased to exist in terms of play, falling at the mercy of a Lazio side that was more skilfull, more composed, more experienced, and simply better.

Nevertheless, in the second half Roma often attacked and created good chances to equalise, but were unable to capitalize on them, while Lazio gradually appeared ever more confident of seeing through a surprising and prestigious victory.

Who played for Roma

Risorti, Contin, Andreoli, Matteini, Salar, Jacobini, Krieziu, Dagianti, Amadei, Schiavetti, Cozzolini

Manager: Degni

Who played for Lazio

Gradella, Carton, Ferri, Alzani, Gualtieri, Del Pinto, Puccinelli, Manola, Koenig, Lombardini, Modesti

Manager: Cargnelli

Referee: Stampacchia

Goal: 25’ Koenig

What happened next

Lazio played a post season with the teams that had not made it to the final national group. They won their Lazio regional round robin but did not participate in the semifinal group.

Puccinelli was the player with most appearances (25), Koenig the top goal scorer (18).

Let’s talk about Ennio Modesti

Ennio Modesti was born in Rome on November 3, 1925.

Son of a long-serving ATAC tram driver from the historic Porta Maggiore depot, Ennio grew up in Rome immersed in both work ethic and passion for football. He began playing in the Torpignattara district, later moving to Cecconi, where his talent caught the attention of Lazio’s Biancoceleste executives. He was brought to the club alongside Renato Spurio and placed in the federal Ragazzi youth team.

Football in Rome during those years was heavily influenced by the events of World War II. Ennio balanced his sporting commitments with his studies, graduating with top marks in bookkeeping. During the conflict he played for Ala Littoria and, in the 1944–45 season, returned to Torpignattara. After the war he found employment with the Italian Red Cross while continuing his football career with Lazio.

In the 1945–46 season he played as a regular starter for the first team, collecting two appearances in the league championship and four in the post season. Nicknamed “Cagnetta” for the frenetic rotation of his legs while running, he was remembered as a tireless and powerful forward. Despite his undeniable talent, opportunities at the highest level were limited.

In 1947 he joined Italcasse, under President Costantino Tessarolo, and subsequently moved to Serie C with Latina, where he played for three consecutive seasons (1948/49, 1949/50, and 1950/51). In 1952 he featured for Artiglio in the Fourth Series, followed by a season with Sanlart. As his professional career progressed, he rose to become a senior executive at Italcasse, yet continued to play football purely for passion in interbank tournaments.

His scoring exploits in youth football remain remarkable: in a single Ragazzi season he scored 120 goals, including an extraordinary 16 in one match. Though he never achieved the level of recognition his ability warranted, he remains fondly remembered by those who knew him.

After moving to Albano Laziale in the early 2000s, Ennio was a regular presence at convivial gatherings of former Lazio and Roma players.

He died in Rome on April 14, 2014.

On the day of his funeral, a large Biancoceleste scarf was laid upon his coffin, symbolically accompanying him on his final journey and bearing witness to a lifelong bond with Lazio.

Lazio Career

Season	Total games (goals)	Roman War League	National Serie A-B Centre South League	Post Season Centre South	Other
1944-45	10 (2)	4	-	-	6 (2)
1945-46	6	-	2	4	-
Total	16 (2)	4	2	4	6 (2)