November 7, 1999: Lazio -Verona 4-0
- Dag Jenkins
- 6 hours ago
- 11 min read
Lazio aerial power obliterates Verona
A goal directly from a corner, two headers and a final goal by Boksic blow Verona away
Season 1999-00
The season so far
The previous season Lazio had come agonizingly close to winning the title. They were only overtaken by eventual champions Milan in the penultimate game of the season and in controversial circumstances. Lazio were held to a 1-1 draw in Florence with some extremely dubious refereeing decisions by Fiorenzo Treossi, including the denial of a clear penalty on Marcelo Salas.
Lazio had however triumphed in Europe winning the last ever Cup Winners Cup in May (2-1 against Mallorca in Birmingham) and then beaten Manchester United 1-0 (Salas) to lift the Supercup in August, in Monte Carlo.
This season there had been some important changes to the squad. Three more Argentinians were signed; defender Nestor Sensini (Parma), midfielders Diego "El Cholo" Simeone (Inter) and Juan Sebastian Veron "La Brujita" (Parma). Another midfielder Dario Marcolin was back from a loan spell (Blackburn) and striker Simone Inzaghi (Piacenza) was added. In the summer big Swedish forward Kennet Andersson had arrived from Bologna but in the autumn market session would soon be back in Emilia Romagna. To replace him Lazio would bring in experienced Fabrizio "Silver Fox" Ravanelli (Olympique Marseille)
Lazio had lost an important player in striker Christian Vieri who was sold to Inter for a then world record transfer fee of 90 billion Lire (approx 45 million Euros). Spanish midfielder Ivan de la Peña had gone to Olympique Marseille after a disappointing spell at Lazio and Roberto Baronio went to Reggina on loan.
In Serie A this season Lazio were currently top on 21 points, one ahead of second placed Juventus. The Biancocelesti had won 5 and drawn 3 (including Milan 4-4 at home and recently Inter 1-1 away).
In the Champions League the Biancocelesti had played all six first group games and finished top. On their historic debut they had drawn 1-1 away to Bayer Leverkusen, thanks to a Sinisa Mihajlovic free kick. Lazio had then defeated Dynamo Kiev 2-1 at home and Maribor 4-0 both home and away, drawn 1-1 with Leverkusen at home and won 1-0 in Kiev. A good start. The next group phase would start on November 24 with Olympique Marseille, Chelsea and Feyenoord.
Lazio's Coppa Italia campaign would start on December 1 against Ravenna in the away leg of the last 16.
Hellas Verona were newly promoted as the previous season they were Serie B champions under Cesare Prandelli. The Gialloblu had won 18, drawn 12 and lost 8. The top scorer was Fabrizio Cammarata with 15 league goals.
This season Prandelli was confirmed. The main new arrivals were: goalkeeper Sébastian Frey (Inter - on loan), defenders Luigi Apolloni (Parma, after 385 games), Aimo Diana (Brescia - on loan), Marco Franceschetti (Sampdoria), Anthony Šerić (Hajduk Split), midfielders former Lazio, Marco Piovanelli (Genoa) and Emiliano Salvetti (Cesena) plus forward Adaílton (Guarani via PSG).
Leaving Verona were: defenders Paolo Foglio (end of loan from Atalanta then Reggina) and Settimio Lucci (Ternana), midfielder Claudio Carrarese (Pistoiese - on loan) plus forward Antonio De Vitis (retiring).
In Serie A so far, the Scaligeri had won 2, drawn 2 (including recent 0-0 at home with Milan) and lost 4. They were joint 13th with Lecce on 8 points but were unbeaten in the last three games.
The Gialloblu were already out of the Coppa Italia as they had lost 2-4 on aggregate to Serie B side Ravenna.
Lazio were clear favourites today but Verona were improving after a difficult start.
The match: Sunday, November 7, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
A sunny and mild day attracted just under 45,000 to the Olimpico.
Lazio were without suspended Matías Almeyda while Verona had defender Anthony Šerić, midfielder Vincenzo Italiano and forward Fabrizio Cammarata missing.
Verona made their intentions clear from the start with a very defensive 4-5-1 setup with only Adaílton up front, the Brazilian is a skillful player but cannot really bear the weight of the attack alone.
After only four minutes the visitors lost defender Giancarlo Filippini through injury and on came Danish defender Martin Laursen.
Lazio first attacked on the ground but did not find an immediate breakthrough so decided to try the aerial tactic.
Juan Sebastian Veron almost scored directly from a corner twice but first the ball went narrowly wide and shortly after his corner hit Diego Simeone on the goal line.
In the 19th minute Veron took another corner from the left and this time managed to curl it directly into the back of the net, 1-0.
Alen Boksic almost doubled soon after but Sébastian Frey parried the Croat's powerful strike.
Adailton then had a rare Verona effort but his left footed strike from the edge of the box went well off target.
In the 22nd minute Veron swung another corner in and this time it was met by Marcelo Salas on the far post who headed past Frey, 2-0.
Lazio continued to threaten on corners. Veron took one from the right this time and Sinisa Mihajlovic attempted a volley from the edge of the area but was not lucky as his effort flew just over the bar.
Mihaljovic then hit a crossbar on another set piece with his speciality, a curling freekick which was deflected by the wall and came back off the woodwork.
In the 45th minute Lazio made it three. The move again started from a corner but this time Pavel Nedved took it short, the ball then reached Veron about 30 metres out on the left and the Argentine crossed into the area where Paolo Negro was more alert than defender Gianluca Falsini and Frey and headed home, 3-0.
Verona had put up no resistance and been swept away by Lazio's aerial power. The game was practically over by halftime.
In the second half the game looked more like a friendly and in the 63rd minute was definitely over. It was still Lazio who attacked constantly and scored again. Diego Simeone cleverly teed up Alen Boksic with a low through ball into the box where the "Alien" blasted it past Frey, 4-0.
The game had nothing more to say. Lazio continued to go forward but were unable to add to their tally. After the fourth goal Sven-Goran Eriksson gradually took off his stars so Salas, Alessandro Nesta and Veron were replaced by Roberto Mancini, Fernando Couto and Nestor Sensini… hardly journey men either…
Verona tried changing things but neither Croat Robert Špehar for Adailton or Emiliano Salvetti for Martino Melis made much difference.
Lazio had another header by Mancini go just wide and then Luca Marchegiani denied the Scaligeri even a consolation goal as he dived low to his right and pulled off a superb save on a Špehar header.
An easy win for Lazio who had disposed of Verona without any problems.
Lazio were still top obviously but now had a three-point advantage on Juventus and four on Milan. The table read: Lazio 21, Juventus 18, Milan 17.
Verona had now slipped down on 15th on 8 points and in the last relegation slot.
Who played for Lazio
Marchegiani, Negro, Nesta, (68' Couto), Mihajlovic, Pancaro, Conceição, Simeone, Veron (73' Sensini), Nedved, Boksic, Salas (64' Mancini)
Manager: Eriksson
Who played for Verona
Frey, G.Filippini (4' Laursen), Franceschetti, Apolloni, Falsini, Diana, Marasco, L.Colucci, Brocchi, Melis (77' Salvetti), Adailton (67' Spehar)
Substitutes: Battistini, Anastasi, Piovanelli, Aglietti
Manager: Prandelli
Referee: Racalbuto
Goals: 18' Veron, 22' Salas, 45' Negro, 63' Boksic
What happened next
It was an epic season for Lazio. They won the domestic double: Scudetto and Coppa Italia. In the league they pulled off a dramatic comeback from -9 with 8 games to go and overtook Juventus in the last game of the season. They famously had to wait over an hour to finally celebrate as the Bianconeri's match in Perugia was interrupted due to a waterlogged pitch and then resumed and won by the hosts with "Il gol di Calori". Lazio were champions 26 years after Maestrelli's crazy gang of 1974.
In the next 25 games Lazio won 15 (including derby 2-1 and Juventus 1-0 away), drew 6 and lost 4. The top scorer was Simone Inzaghi with 19 goals while only in Serie A it was Marcelo Salas with 12.
In Coppa Italia the Biancocelesti eliminated Ravenna 5-2, Juventus on away goals (2-3, 2-1) and Venezia 7-2 to reach the final.
In the cup final they beat Inter 2-1 on aggregate to complete a historic double.
An unforgettable season on the domestic front.
In Europe, in the second group phase of Champions League, Lazio won 3 (Olympique Marseille 2-0 away and 5-1 at home and Chelsea 2-1 away), drew 2 (Chelsea 0-0 at home and Feyenoord 0-0 away) and lost 1 (Feyenoord 1-2 at home) finishing top on 11 points ahead of Chelsea on 10.
In the quarter final they played Valencia but were defeated 3-5 on aggregate and eliminated. A decent campaign which was ruined by a bad night at the Mestalla (2-5) without Alessandro Nesta.
Despite the European disappointment it was perhaps an unrepeatable year for the Biancocelesti.
Verona finished an honourable 9th on 43 points. In the next 25 games they won 8 (including Lazio 1-0 and Juventus 2-0 at home), drew 11 (including Milan 3-3 away) and lost 6. The top scorer was Cammarata with 9 league goals.
From today's team Cristian Brocchi would later play for Lazio (2008-13) and lift the epic 2013 Coppa Italia in the final won against city rivals Roma.
No need to finish off with league and Coppa Italia winners but we will anyway… LAZIO!!
Let's talk about Marcelo Salas
José Marcelo Salas Melinao was born in Temuco, in Northern Chile, on December 24, 1974.
He started playing football with local team Santos Temuco FC in 1983. In 1991 he joined Universidad de Chile in the capital Santiago.
He made his debut for "La U" in 1993 and in two seasons played 126 games with 76 goals. It was with the "Los Azules" he was first nicknamed "El Matador" for his cold blood in front of goal. Salas also started his famous matador celebration after scoring. He won two league titles in 1994 and 1995.
In 1996 he moved to Argentina and joined the Baires giants, River Plate. He stayed two seasons with "Los Millonarios", playing 68 games with 31 goals. The “Banda" won an Apertura in 1996 (Salas scored a double in the decisive game), a Clausura 1997, an Apertura 1997 (Salas scored title winning goal) and a South-American Super Cup (Salas scored 2 goals in the final versus São Paulo). In 1997 he was voted best South-American and Argentinian league player of the year.
At this point there was talk of Alex Ferguson and Manchester United being interested in him to replace Éric Cantona.
In 1998 he played an excellent World Cup in France, scoring 4 goals (2 Italy, Austria and Brazil).
Fortunately, by this stage he had already been signed by Lazio (January '98 for the following season). He arrived in Rome and found a competitive team under Sven-Goran Eriksson who had just won the Coppa Italia and were now ready to go up a level. In fact, they immediately won the Supercoppa defeating Juventus 2-1 away.
In his first year Lazio went extremely close to winning the Scudetto. They lost it in the last two matches in controversial circumstances but Salas had an excellent season. He played 43 games and scored 24 goals (15 in Serie A including Inter, Roma, Juventus). He struck up an excellent attacking partnership with Christian Vieri from January onwards when the Italian returned from injury.
Lazio lost out on the Scudetto but triumphed in Europe winning the last ever Cup Winners Cup. They defeated Mallorca 2-1 at Villa Park in Birmingham. Salas scored 4 goals in the tournament (Lausanne, Partizan Belgrade x2, Panionios).
The following year Lazio won the Scudetto. Salas played 28 league games with 12 goals (including Milan x2), 3 in Coppa Italia, 10 in the Champions League with 4 goals (Dinamo Kiev, Maribor x2, Valencia) and the European Super Cup with the winning goal against Manchester United.
In 2000-01 with the arrival of Hernan Crespo and Claudio Lopez he played slightly less. He made 21 league appearances with 7 goals (including Juventus, Inter), 2 in Coppa Italia with 1 goal and 9 games in Champions League. Lazio had a difficult start and Eriksson was replaced by Dino Zoff after 13 games (the Swede had signed for England from the following summer causing uncertainty). The Biancocelesti improved and went close to another title but ultimately fell short and finished 3rd. They did however win another Supercoppa beating Inter 4-3 in Rome.
Sadly, the immensely popular "Matador" was then sold to the "Old Lady" Juventus. The Bianconeri were coached by Marcello Lippi and won the Scudetto but Salas suffered a serious injury in October which kept him out for the rest of the season. He played 7 league games with 1 goal (Chievo), 1 game in the Coppa Italia and 4 in the Champions League. Before his injury he famously blasted a last-minute penalty over the bar in the derby against Torino with the score on 3-3 (after Juve had been 3-0 up)
The following year he still did not feature regularly. Juventus had David Trezeguet and Alex Del Piero up front and even Marcelo Zalayeta played more than the Chilean. Salas made 11 league appearances with 1 goal (Udinese), 4 in Coppa Italia with 1 goal and 4 in the Champions League with 1 goal (Dinamo Kiev). Juventus won the league again and were runners-up in the Champions League (Milan on penalties).
In 2003 he returned to Argentina and River Plate. He stayed two seasons and played 48 games with 14 goals. In 2004 "El más grande de Argentina" won the Clausura title.
In 2005 he went back to his homeland and his first big club, Universidad de León. He stayed another four seasons with 74 appearances and 36 goals for "El Bulla".
At 38 he retired after playing his last match on November 23 against Cobreloa and scoring 2 goals in a 3-2 win.
At international level he won 70 caps with 37 goals. He is the third all-time goal scorer for "La Roja". He played in a World Cup in 1998 (scoring double vs Italy) and two Copa Americas in 1995 and 1999 (reaching the semi-final lost to Uruguay on penalties).
Marcelo Salas is a legend in Chile and at River Plate in Argentina. He is considered Chile's best ever striker. At River Plate he is considered the greatest ever non-Argentine player alongside Uruguayan Enzo Francescoli. He has two other nicknames, "El Fenómeno" and "El Shileno"
Salas was not a giant centre-forward at 1.74 but was strong and tenacious. He was very skilful with a surgical left foot and superb aerial ability with great elevation. He was a prolific striker throughout his career but could also play for his attacking partners.
At Lazio he was and still is adored. He is considered one of their best foreign players ever. Some of his goals are legendary, such as Juventus away ('98) and Milan at home ('99) but he scored many, a total of 34.
The chant "Matador Matador che ce famo con Ronaldo noi c'avemo er Matador" (What do we need Ronaldo for when we've got the Matador) was by far the most popular chants in those glory years.
In Rome with Lazio he won a Scudetto, a Coppa Italia, Italian Supercoppa twice, a European Cup Winners Cup and a European Super Cup, all in three years and the trophies could have been more.
Despite his relatively short spell at Lazio he is one of the most popular players in their 125-year history. He returned to the Olimpico in April 2025 and was greeted like a long-lost hero.
Lazio Career
Sources
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