Historic thrashing of Rossoneri in Milan

Dag Jenkins
May 31, 2023
4 min read

Season 1941-42

Game 28, Serie A

Sunday, May 31, 1942

Arena Civica, Milan

Milan-Lazio 2-5

A Puccinelli hat-trick and a Piola double give Lazio a score line for the history books

Lazio were currently joint 4th with Genoa on 31 points. The Biancocelesti had won 11 (including Bologna 5-1, Triestina 5-0, Juventus 2-1 at home and Inter 1-0 away), drawn 9 (including Milano 2-2 and derby 1-1 only a week earlier) and lost 7 (including first derby 1-2). Lazio were unbeaten in the last five matches and the recent point against high flying Roma confirmed their good state of form.

In Serie A Milan were currently 9th on 26 points. They had won 10 (including derby 2-1), drawn 6 (including Lazio 2-2) and lost 11. A week earlier they had lost 0-1 away to Sampierdarenese and were winless in the last four games.

The match

A cloudy day in Milan saw just under 10,000 spectators gather at the old Arena Civica built in 1807.

Milano were without defender Enrico Boniforti plus forwards Aldo Boffi and Giuseppe Meazza. The Rossoneri fielded two future Lazio players: Leandro Remondini (1945-48) and Paolo Todeschini (1948-49 and manager in 1961-62) while Ernesto Sandroni would play in the Teresa Herrera Trophy and the semi-final of the Latin Cup in the summer of 1950, on a brief loan from Venezia.

Lazio were missing Argentine midfielders Alberto Fazio and Salvador Gualtieri.

In the early stages the teams missed a chance each. First Gino Cappello for Milano was off target and then Aldo Puccinelli shot just wide for Lazio.

The first goal of the game came in the 14th minute. Silvio Piola was surrounded by several defenders but intelligently managed to square the ball to Puccinelli who had no problem scoring. Milano 0 Lazio 1.

Milano went close to equalising in the 18th minute but Uber Gradella saved from a Cappello header. A minute later however the forward was more successful when he volleyed in a Giorgio Granata cross. Milano 1 Lazio 1.

The score only remained level for three minutes. Piola again set up Puccinelli in the middle of the area and his shot hit the inside of the post and went in. Milano 1 Lazio 2.

Lazio's lead lasted even less. A minute later Granata put a through ball to Cappello who surged forward and beat Gradella coming off his line.

Lazio took back the lead in the 34th minute. This time it was Puccinelli who repaid Piola's previous favours by teeing up the Piedmontese striker in front of goal for an easy close-range finish. Milano 2 Lazio 3.

Lazio then scored another but it was disallowed for a dubious offside while Milano went close to levelling but Granata missed a seemingly easy close-range chance. Halftime with the Romans in front in an exciting game.

In the second half for at least fifteen minutes it was all Milano. The Rossoneri pushed forward with all their energy and Lazio were forced on the defensive. The hosts had shots by Paolo Todeschini and Cappello saved by Gradella who then did well on a venomous Luigi Rosellini corner.

In the 62nd minute however it was Lazio who scored again. Piola got away from Giuseppe Vannucci and still running, fired an unstoppable shot past Giovanni Rossetti. Milano 2 Lazio 4.

Lazio were on a high and in the 73rd minute made it five. It was with a solo effort by Puccinelli, he ran forward juggling the ball with his head several times and then drilled the ball into the net. A brilliant goal and Milano 2 Lazio 5.

In the last fifteen minutes the home side tried to make the score line more respectable with Granata and Cappello but Gradella was on top form. Lazio could have increased their lead too but Piola seemed to have decided the devil had suffered enough. Final score Milano 2 Lazio 5.

A great win for Lazio. Piola and Puccinelli had combined superbly and humiliated a weak Milano defence. The midfielders Luciano Ramella and Enrique Flamini had also put in excellent performances. A win with a three-goal margin away to Milan was something which would not happen often in Lazio's history (in fact against the Rossoneri had only occurred in 1934-35 and after today has never happened again).

For now, the Biancocelesti were still 4th with Genoa on 33 points but had gained a point on 6th placed Juventus.

Milano were still 9th on 26 points.

Who played for Milan

Rossetti, Remondini, Toppan, Antonini, Vannucci, Sandroni, Bollano, Todeschini, Cappello IV, Granata, Rosellini

Manager: Magnozzi

Who played for Lazio

Gradella, Romagnoli II, Monza II, Camolese, Ramella, Ferri, Baldo, Pisa I, Piola, Flamini, Puccinelli