Brilliant Blason helps Lazio conquer Naples
Two first half goals and rock solid defence give Lazio satisfaction under the Vesuvius.
Also on this day: May 3, 1964, Atalanta Lazio 1-1. A fortunate own goal gives Lazio useful point after Atalanta had taken the lead with a goal in blatant offside. Player of the day: Bruno Mazzia
The season so far
The previous season Lazio had come 5th under Czech manager Walter Alt. Silvio Piola had scored 21 league goals.
This season Lazio were in mid-table. They had a new manager Jôsef Violak (known as Giuseppe Viola) from Hungary. So far Lazio had won 9 (including Napoli 3-1), drawn 8 and lost 11, so on 26 points. They had however not won a match since March 8. The previous week they had lost 2-0 at Alessandria. Silvio Piola was still firing away and had 19 league goals but he was missing today.
In Coppa Italia Lazio were through to the quarter finals. They had beaten Venezia 2-0 and Roma 2-1 (Piola, Bruno Camolese). They would now play Alessandria on May 24.
Napoli had arrived 7th the previous season under English manager William Garbutt. This year the "Azzurri" had changed head coach and Hungarian Károly Csapkay sat on the bench. So far the Partenopei had won 10, drawn 6 and lost 12. They were on the same points as Lazio and had drawn their last 3 matches.
In Coppa Italia Napoli had qualified for the quarterfinals beating Bari 2-1 and Triestina 3-1. They would have to play Milan at home in May.
So today was a sort of "Hungarian" derby between two teams without particular ambitions but keen to improve their league position in this penultimate game of the season.
The match: Sunday May 3, 1936, Stadio Partenopeo, Naples
Played on an uncomfortably humid afternoon, in front of 12,000 spectators, this game was about jostling for a better finish in the table. The teams were both on 26 points with only one more game after today to go.
Lazio were without star striker Silvio Piola. Both sides started off cautiously although there were some chances. In the 3rd minute Giovanni Venditto headed into the centre for Giovanni Busoni but Lazio defender Alfredo Monza got in a good tackle for a corner. Lazio keeper Giacomo Blason immediately showed his good form, saving from Enrico Rivolta and Carlo Buscaglia. For Lazio, Bruno Camolese had a weak effort saved by Vittorio Mosele. Despite Blason being more busy, Lazio gave the impression of being the better organized team.
In the 16th minute the Roman visitors took the lead. A Giuseppe Fenoglio handball gave Lazio a free kick about 5/6 metres outside the area. Anfilogino Guarisi (also known as Filó) took it quickly, finding Camolese who beat Mosele. Napoli 0 Lazio 1.
The game then became more lively and Napoli attacked constantly. The Lazio defence however was cool under pressure and was never caught off guard. Napoli had two Rivolta freekicks saved by Blason, who also blocked a Venditto header.
In the 29th minute the hosts with Busoni finally had a one-on-one with the keeper but he stumbled and lost control of the ball, unfortunately Napoli's defence had followed the move, were unbalanced and got caught on the break. Attilio Ferraris found Francesco Gabriotti who teed up Walter D'Odorico who doubled Lazio's lead. Napoli 0 Lazio 2.
The last part of the first half saw Lazio easily control a confused and disorderly home side.
Napoli came out for the second half with more fighting spirit and clearer ideas. They attacked from the word go and Lazio pulled back leaving only three players up front with all the others defending the fort. It became an exercise of attack against defence with rare Lazio forays into Napoli's half.
Napoli were dangerous with Attila Sallustro, Venditto and Enrico Colombari. In the 65th minute the "Napoletani" were rewarded for their efforts when Sallustri cut the deficit. Colombari headed to Busoni who then again headed to the striker who's shot beat Blason in a crowded area. Napoli 1 Lazio 2.
Lazio now pulled Gabriotti back in defence too. Constant pressure by the "Campani" produced shots by Sallustro and Rossetti but Blason was safe. Carlo Buscaglia saw an effort go wide and Venditto hit the outside of the post but Lazio defended excellently in a harmonious block putting on a great team effort. Final score Napoli 1 Lazio 2.
Lazio had played more as a team with every player working hard and sacrificing himself for the cause. The backline had been solid and Blason exceptional. Napoli had attacked more but lacked organisation and final lucidity.
Who played for Napoli
Mosele, Fenoglio, Castello, Colombari, Buscaglia C, Rivolta, Sallustro I, Tricoli, Busoni, Rossetti, Venditto
Manager: Csapkay
Who played for Lazio
Blason, Zacconi, Monza II, Baldo, Ferraris IV, Viani I, Guarisi (Filó), Bisigato, D'Odorico, Camolese, Gabriotti
Manager: Violak
Referee: Bertolio
Goals: 16' Camolese, 29' D'Odorico, 64' Sallustro (I)
What happened next
A week later Lazio beat Fiorentina 1-0 at home with a Francesco Gabriotti winner. The Biancocelesti finished 7th in Serie A, after 11 wins, 8 draws and 11 defeats. Top scorer was Piola with 21 goals (19 in the league).
In Coppa Italia Lazio lost 1-0 to Alessandria.
Napoli too won their last match with a good 1-0 away win against Milan. They finished 8th, after 11 wins, 6 draws and 13 defeats. Top scorer was Busoni with 12 league goals.
In Coppa Italia Napoli were defeated this time by Milan, 2-1.
The Scudetto was won by Bologna, for the "Felsinei" it was their third title. The club in that period was known as "la squadra che tremare il mondo fa" (the team that makes the world shake"). The two teams relegated were Brescia and Palermo.
Lazio 1935-36
Competition | Total played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals scored |
Serie A | 30 | 11 | 8 | 11 | 48 |
Coppa Italia | 3 | 2 | - | 1 | 4 |
Total | 33 | 13 | 8 | 12 | 52 |
Top five appearances
Players | Total | Serie A | Coppa Italia |
Monza | 33 | 30 | 3 |
Viani | 32 | 29 | 3 |
Baldo | 31 | 29 | 2 |
Levratto | 30 | 27 | 3 |
Piola | 29 | 27 | 2 |
Zacconi | 29 | 26 | 3 |
Top five goal scorers
Players | Total | Serie A | Coppa Italia |
Piola | 21 | 19 | 2 |
Uneddu | 7 | 7 | - |
Levratto | 5 | 4 | 1 |
Guarisi | 5 | 5 | - |
Camolese | 4 | 3 | 1 |
Let's talk about Giacomo Blason
Giacomo Blason was born in Fiumicello (Udine) on March 19, 1914.
He started playing football with local team Monfalconese CNT in 1931. He began as a midfielder and then changed to goalkeeper.
In 1932 he joined nearby Triestina in Serie A. He stayed with the "Alabardati" (halberds) two years playing 60 games. After only two months in Trieste he got his first called up for the national "Azzurri" team.
In 1934 he joined Lazio who had to replace Ezio Sclavi. His first season was positive with a 5th place under Walter Alt. Blason played 29 league games.
His second season saw Lazio finish 7th under Violak. Blason played 25 games in Serie A and 3 in Coppa Italia.
The 1936-37 season was excellent for Lazio. The Biancocelesti came 2nd in Serie A and then reached the final of the then prestigious Central European Cup (losing to Ferencvaros). Blason played 28 league games, 1 in Coppa Italia and 5 in Europe.
The following year Lazio finished 8th and Blason played 19 games.
In 1938-39 Jôsef Violak was replaced by Luigi Allemandi after 19 games and Lazio came 10th. The Biancocelesti managed to beat Roma at Testaccio after many years. Blason played 25 league games and 2 in Coppa Italia.
The 1939-40 season would be his last at Lazio. The Romans under a new manager, Hungarian Géza Kertesz, came 4th. Blason played 24 Serie A games and 1 in Coppa Italia.
In 1940 Blason joined Napoli where he stayed two seasons playing 30 times.
In 1942 he signed for Roma who were reigning champions. He was mainly a reserve keeper but did manage 21 appearances over two years. He thus became one of the few to have played on both sides of the Tiber (some others being Ziroli, Ferraris, Selmosson, Galli, Cordova, Petrelli, Manfredonia, Malgioglio, De Nadai, Di Mauro, Peruzzi, Muzzi, Mihajlovic, Fuser, Kolarov and Pedro). A few but not many considering Lazio's 123 years of history.
In 1945 he returned nearer to his hometown and joined Pro Gorizia in Serie B as player manager for two years. The following year he spent a season at Suzzara in Serie B and then a year at San Donà in Promozione (4th tier), again as player manager, and won promotion to Serie C.
He then retired and spent one more year at San Donà but only as manager. In 1951-52 he was manager of S.P.A.L in Serie A and the Ferraresi finished 9th. That was probably the peak of a managerial career that then took him to Adriese, Mestrina, Portogruaro, back to SPAL in Serie A (for 28 games), Chieti, Savoia, Martina and Opitergina.
At international level despite his call-ups he never got a cap for Italy. He played one match for the Italy B team.
At Lazio he had five solid seasons. He was a reliable, steady keeper and Lazio had some good seasons with a 2nd, 4th, 5th, 8th and 10th place. His strong points were coming off his line and incredibly strong legs which enabled him to perform superb dives and jumps. Photos of the times certainly show Blason possessing an enviable physique. He was famous for bringing his beloved hunting dog called "Pilù" everywhere and it even took part in all the training sessions. He was also mocked by his teammates for coming from a family of carpenters who also made coffins.
He was not mocked by Lazio fans who had great respect for him even when he later joined Roma, but those were different times.
Lazio career
Season | Total appearances | Serie A | Coppa Italia | Mitropa Cup |
1934-35 | 29 | 29 | - | - |
1935-36 | 28 | 25 | 3 | - |
1936-37 | 34 | 28 | 1 | 5 |
1937-38 | 19 | 19 | - | - |
1938-39 | 27 | 25 | 2 | - |
1939-40 | 25 | 24 | 1 | - |
Total | 162 | 150 | 7 | 5 |
Sources