Good point despite "Lemon-Gate"

Dag Jenkins
May 25, 2023
3 min read

Season 1946-47

Game 32, Serie A

Sunday, May 25, 1947

Stadio San Siro, Milan

Milan Lazio 0-0

Lazio clinch a point in dull game only brought to life by two Milan missed penalties amid lemon controversy

This season, after a winning start away at Bari, Lazio had then lost the next three (including derby 0-3). Since then they had won 7 (including Brescia 6-3, Sampdoria 4-0 and recently Fiorentina 3-0 all at home), drawn 6 (including derby 0-0 and Milan 1-1) and lost 10 (including Bologna 1-3). Lazio were currently in joint 11th place, with Livorno on 28 points. They were three points above the last relegation slot (Fiorentina and Venezia on 25) and unbeaten in six games.

Milan were currently 4th on 42 points. The Rossoneri had won 16 (including both derbies 3-1 and 2-1, Juventus 2-1 and recently Genoa 2-0 away), drawn 10 (including Juventus 3-3) and lost 5. The Rossoneri were unbeaten in the last thirteen games.

Milan were favourites but Lazio were on decent form at the moment.

The match

A hot and sunny day in Milan after a prolonged period of bad weather brought about 22,000 spectators to San Siro.

Lazio were missing midfielder Mario Magrini plus forward Costantino De Andreis and Hengelbert Koenig.

Milan had no absences.

The first half was awful. The teams both lacked inventiveness and the defences easily got the upper hand. Neither keeper had to dirty their gloves. The sudden heat was obviously a factor but not enough to justify the mediocre spectacle.

The second half got off to a better start with a faster pace and more determined teams. The illusion of a more exciting game however only lasted about fifteen minutes as then the rhythm slowed down and the game became blocked again. Milan tried changing their attacking setup but were unable to seriously threaten Corrado Giubilo.

At this point the referee decided to intervene. In the 71st minute Milan took their 7th corner and the ball bounced up and hit Romolo Alzani's hand. The referee pointed to the penalty spot. Star Uruguayan striker Hector Puricelli stepped up but fired over the bar.

Lazio celebrated wildly but it was short-lived as the referee picked the ball up and placed it on the penalty spot again. For some mysterious reason it had to be retaken. The Lazio players protested furiously but the referee was determined to let the Rossoneri have another go.

This time Giovanni Clocchiatti took the responsibility and blasted a shot which hit the post and went wide. The crowd surprisingly applauded realizing that justice had been done.

After the game the referee explained his decision. In his opinion a Lazio player had thrown half a lemon onto the ball during the execution of the first spot kick and had even kept the offending object as evidence. Lazio's version, far more credible, was that it had been thrown by someone in the crowd or possibly from behind the goal.

The game went on and became a lot more hard-fought but not dirty. Milan pushed forward but Lazio's defence was excellent and stood firm. Final score: Milan 0 Lazio 0.

A disappointing game but a good point for Lazio. The only real excitement had been the farcical episode of the penalty repetition and the final minutes of Milan forcing.

Lazio were now joint 11th, with Genoa, Inter and Vicenza on 29 points ( +4 on relegation zone, Fiorentina and Venezia on 25).

Milan were still 4th, on 43 points but had gained a point on 3rd placed Modena.

Who played for Milan

Rossetti, Cerri, Clocchiatti, Bonomi, Foglia, Tognon, Antonini, Annovazzi, Puricelli, Tosolini, Carapellese

Manager: Bigogno

Who played for Lazio

Giubilo, Cassano, Antonazzi, Alzani, Gualtieri, Ferri, Puccinelli, Brunetti, Ispiro, Flamini, Lombardini