November 22, 2012: Lazio Tottenham Hotspur 0-0
- Lazio Stories
- 2 days ago
- 8 min read
Goalless draw in front of Gazza
With Paul Gascoigne in the stands, Lazio and Tottenham draw in an exciting match.
The season so far
Edy Reja had left after the end of the previous season and Lazio had given the keys to the squad to Vladimor Petkovic, a Swiss National of Bosnian origin, who had had a successful managerial career in Switzerland. Lazio had added Ederson and Michael Ciani in the summer.
The season so far had been a positive one. In Serie A they were fifth, had won the derby and beaten Milan. In Europa League they had won two (Maribor and Panathinaikos at home) and drawn two (at Tottenham and in Athens) and were leading the group with 8 points. Spurs were second on 6, Panathinaikos and Maribor on 4. A win today would mean that Lazio would qualify for the next round and clinch first place.
The day before the game a group of 15-50 masked thugs attacked a pub in Rome where the Spurs fans were gathered. The attackers used knives, metal poles, hammers, clubs, and tear gas and around 10 Brits were injured and at least one stabbed. The media immediately indicated Lazio fans as the culprits due to a crash helmet found on the scene which had a Biancoceleste sticker on it. The news went viral and Lazio ended up in the media worldwide for all the wrong reasons. But at the end of the day, it was a group of fascists responsible for the raid and no direct link to the fans was proven. But by the time the dust had settled, the damage had been done.
The match: Thursday, November 22, 2012, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Before the game, Paul Gascoigne, former player of both teams, went on the pitch and did a lap of honour. Many people came to the match just to see him. It was the first time at the Olimpico for Gazza since he had left in 1995.
In the 5th minute Tottenham scored. Andy Carroll to Gareth Bale who dribbled past Federico Marchetti and scored. However, the goal was disallowed for a very dubious off side.
Lazio emerged in the 19th minute when Cristian Ledesma tried a shot, Hugo Lloris fumbled and the ball went into corner after hitting the post. The Brits were dangerous on a Bale shot and then with Steven Cauker whose header went wide. In the 27th minute Pedro Cavanda crossed from the left for Libor Kozak but his shot was parried. Again, the Czech with a chance five minutes later but his header off a Stefano Mauri cross was off target.
In the second half Lazio had the main chances with Kozak who in the 61st minute was alone in front of Lloris but his shot went wide. He had another opportunity in the 65th minute but his attempt was saved by Lloris. The last opportunity was for Michael Ciani but his header was well parried by the Spurs keeper.
Panathinaikos beat Maribor and so both Lazio and Spurs would proceed to the knock out phase. The last match would determine who would arrive first.
Who played for Lazio
Marchetti, Cavanda, Biava, Ciani, Radu, Ledesma, Mauri, Gonzalez, Hernanes (69’ Ederson), Lulic (79’ Candreva), Kozak (79’ Floccari)
Manager: Petkovic
Who played for Tottenham Hotspur
Lloris, Walker, Caulker, Vertonghen, Naughton, Sigurdsson (64' Lennon), Sandro, Carroll (77' Dembelé), Bale, Dempsey (64' Defoe), Adebayor
Substitutes: Cudicini, Dawson, Huddlestone, Livermore
Manager: Villas Boas
Referee: Teixeira Vitienes (Spain)
What happened next
In Serie A at halfway Lazio were second. The Champions League looked possible. But in the next 19 games the Biancocelesti won just six times so top tier Europe was not going to be a possibility. They finished seventh.
In the Europa League Lazio did very well. Lazio topped their group and later eliminated Borussia Mönchengladbach and Stuttgart. They then faced Fenerbahçe in the quarterfinals but lost in Turkey following a horrendous refereeing display and were not able to overcome the deficit in the return match.
The glory came with the Coppa Italia. In the fourth round Lazio had beaten Siena in a penalty shootout after Ciani had saved the campaign with a last second equaliser and then Juan Pablo Carrizo stopped two penalties. Things went smoother in the quarterfinals with a 3-0 win over Catania.
In the semi-finals Lazio had to face Juventus. In the first leg in Turin Lazio managed to draw 1-1 thanks to a number of miracles from goalkeeper Federico Marchetti and another last gasp goal from Stefano Mauri. In the return match, Lazio scored with Alvaro Gonzalez in the beginning of the second half and it looked as if the Biancocelesti had secured the final. But a Stefan Radu mistake in the second minute of injury time gave Juventus the equaliser. Extra time seemed on the cards but a Sergio Floccari header with one minute to go gave Lazio the ticket for the final. A ticket which was about to be thrown away as Juventus had an open goal chance in the 95th minute but Claudio Marchisio kicked the ball wide.
The final would be against Roma who had eliminated Inter in the other semi-final. This was going to be the first derby in a final. Whoever won would have their names in the history books.
Lazio won the Cup thanks to a goal from Senad Lulic in the now famous 71st minute. Among the most important wins in the history of the club, it gave the players eternal glory, Lulic is now worshipped like a Saint, and Lazio qualified for the following season’s Europa League. One of the best seasons ever.
A brief history of Tottenham Hotspur
Hotspur Football Club was founded on September 5 1882. In April 1884 they were renamed Tottenham Hotspur.
They took part in the Southern Alliance League and in 1896 were included in Division One of the Southern League.
In 1900 they won the Southern League and in 1901 won the FA Cup (Sheffield United 3-1), the first non-National First Division club to do so.
In 1908 they turned professional and in 1908-09 were promoted to the national top flight.
In 1914-15 they were relegated but were promoted in 1919-20. They then won the FA Cup for the second time (Wolves 1-0) and the Charity Shield and finished 2nd in the league.
Things then went downhill and in 1929 Spurs were relegated again and only came up in 1933, then finishing 2nd but getting relegated once more in 1935.
Between playing in the Second Division and the interruption due to World War Two the Londoners only made their way back to Division 1 in 1950, winning the second flight.
The year later however, the Lilywhites won their first league title. The manager was Arthur Rowe and top scorer was Sonny Walters with 15 league goals. The squad also included greats such as Alf Ramsey, Harry Clarke, Ron Burgess, Tony Marchi (later to play in Italy), Les Medley, Bill Nicholson, Les Bennett, Len Duquemin and Eddie Bailey.
In 1951-52 Tottenham finished 2nd but won the Charity Shield. Spurs then struggled with 10th, 16th, 16th, 18th places until they were competitive again in the late 1950's with a 2nd place and two 3rd places.
In 1960-61 Tottenham won the league for the second time and the FA Cup, the famous double (beating Leicester City 2-0). The manager was former player Bill Nicholson and top scorer was Bobby Smith with 33 goals (28 in league). The squad also included legendary captain Danny Blanchflower, Ron Henry, Dave Mackay, John White, Les Allen, Terry Dyson and Welshmen Cliff Jones and Terry Medwin.
The 1960's were Spurs' glory years. They won two more FA Cups (1962, 1967), a European Cup Winners Cup (Atlético Madrid 5-1, 1963) and three Charity Shields (1962, 1963, 1968). In the 1960's the main star was striker Jimmy Greaves who scored 220 league goals and a total of 266 between 1961 and 1970. Other stars included keeper Pat Jennings, Joe Kinnear, Cyril Knowles, Alan Mullery, Mike England and Alan Gilzean. There was also however a tragedy when 27-year old star player John White was killed by a lightning bolt while playing golf in Middlesex on July 21 1964.
The 1970's started well with two League Cups (1971, 1973), a UEFA Cup (Wolves 3-2 on aggregate, 1972) and a 3rd place in the league in 1971 but then deteriorated. After 8th, 11th, 19th and 9th places, in 1977 Tottenham were relegated but won immediate promotion with the arrival of two Argentines, Ossie Ardiles and Ricardo Villa.
The 1980's started well too. With the two Argentines and the likes of Steve Perryman, Glenn Hoddle, Garth Crooks, Spurs won two consecutive FA Cups (Man City 3-2 in 1981 and QPR 1-0 in 1982) under manager Keith Burkinshaw. In 1984 they won a second UEFA Cup (Anderlecht on penalties), with players such as Steve Archibald and Gary Stevens. They never challenged for the title but finished 3rd twice, in 1987 and 1990, helped by the arrival in 1988 of Paul Gascoigne who teamed up with Gary Lineker, under manager Terry Venables.
The 1990's again started well as Tottenham won the FA Cup in 1991, under Venables. It was in the victorious 2-1 final against Nottingham Forest that Paul Gascoigne, who had already signed for Lazio, broke his leg. In 1992 Spurs won the Charity Shield but then finished 8th, 15th, 7th, 8th,10th, 14th, 11th and 10th in the league. In 1999 however, they won their 3rd League Cup (Leicester City 1-0), under manager George Graham. In this period the club owner was Alan Sugar (1991-2001).
In 2001 Daniel Levy took over the ownership of the club (he is still there today). The 2000's saw little glory apart from another League Cup in 2008 (Chelsea 2-1) under manager Juande Ramos. In the league they finished 12th, 9th, 10th, 14th, 9th, 5th, 5th, 11th, 8th and 4th.
Since 2010 Spurs have been more competitive. They have finished 2nd (2017), 3rd (2016, 2018), 4th (2012, 2019, 2022) and 5th (2011, 2013, 2015). In 2019 they reached the final of the Champions League, under Mauricio Pochettino, but lost 0-2 to Liverpool and have also been runners up twice in the League Cup (Chelsea 0-2 in 2015 and Manchester City 0-1 in 2021). In 2024-25 they won the Europa League beating Manchester United 1-0 in Bilbao.
Tottenham have had an up and down history but are considered one of the big six of English football and are the 5th most successful club.
Until 2019 they played their games at White Hart Lane built in 1889 but then moved to the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Their symbol is a fighting Cockerel and the club colours are white and dark blue. Their main rivals are fellow North Londoners, Arsenal but also, albeit to a lesser degree, Chelsea and West Ham United.
The fan base has a Jewish connection as the club was founded in the Jewish areas of London, Tottenham and Haringey. In the 1930's up to a third of their fans were thought to be Jewish, as were Tottenham's first three chairmen. This led to some racist abuse especially in the 1960's and 70's. In response Tottenham fans started calling themselves "Yids" and "Yids Army". Nowadays Tottenham have no more Jewish fans than other clubs but the association has stuck.
Tottenham's main song from 1960-61 is "Glory Glory Tottenham Hotspur" and the official song is by Chas and Dave. Another popular song is "Glory Glory Hallelujah".
Famous Tottenham fans include philosopher A. J. Ayer, singers Phil Collins and Adele and actor Tom Holland.
Tottenham's player with the most appearances is Steve Perryman with 854 while top goal scorer is Harry Kane with 280 ahead of Greaves 268 and Bobby Smith 208.
Tottenham greats from the modern era who have not been mentioned include: Martin Chivers, Keith Osgood, Peter Taylor, Gary Mabbutt, Clive Allen, Paul Allen, Erik Thorstvedt, Jürgen Klinsmann, David Ginola, Gareth Bale, Luka Modric, Christian Eriksen, Son Heung-min up to current players such and Ben Davies, Xavi Simons and James Maddison.
Source
Comments