Lazio Cruise Past Padova to Strengthen Grip on Third Place

Simon Basten
May 26, 2024
2 min read

Season 1962-63

Game 35, Serie B

Sunday, May 26, 1963

Stadio Silvio Appiani, Padua

Padova Lazio 0-3

Early goals from Maraschi and Bernasconi set the tone as Moschino seals a decisive win

The promotion race this season was very tight with lots of teams involved. At the end of the first half of the season Lazio were 6th just one point off Padova, Foggia and Lecco, third, and two behind Brescia. Messina were leaders.

Lazio reached second place in the second half of March after four consecutive wins and stayed in the promotion zone from then on. They were currently third, one point above Brescia.

The match

With only four fixtures left in the season, Lazio could not afford the slightest blunder on their trip to Padova, especially with Brescia lurking dangerously behind them in the race for third place. The hosts, sitting mid-table after a season of mixed fortunes, had begun the campaign with far greater expectations.

Juan Carlos Lorenzo’s side immediately seized control, effectively settling the contest within the opening half. After just four minutes, Paolo Bernasconi surged forward and released a pass toward Giancarlo Morrone. Giampaolo Lampredi attempted to intervene but mistimed his header, allowing Mario Maraschi to slip through. With a deft touch, he glided past the Padova defence and fired clinically into the net.

Three minutes later, Lazio struck again: Maraschi found Morrone, who easily eluded the veteran Aurelio Scagnellato and delivered a cross from the byline. Goalkeeper Bruno Bonollo mistimed his exit, leaving Bernasconi with the simplest of finishes to double the advantage.

The swift one-two blow knocked the wind out of Padova, while Lazio settled comfortably into a counterattacking rhythm. The home side offered little in response; only Giorgio Barbolini and Enrico Arienti showed real intent. Arienti skimmed the crossbar with a rising shot, and Idilio Cei then held Eliseo Zerlin II’s attempt. But Padova’s spurt faded quickly. Lazio resumed command as Landoni orchestrated a move that Morrone squared perfectly for Bernasconi, who somehow failed to convert from point-blank range. Moments later, Morrone dazzled the crowd, slaloming past four opponents before unleashing a thunderous strike that crashed off Bruno Bonollo’s crossbar.

The third goal arrived a minute before halftime. Graziano Landoni’s 20-metre free kick froze the Padova back line, and the alert Giambattista Moschino pounced on the loose ball to slot home with ease.

The second half offered the chance for a rout. In the 55th minute, Moschino struck the post, and soon after Giampiero Grevi produced an outstanding save to deny Morrone—who, moments later, suffered a painful ankle twist. Padova pushed late for a consolation goal, but Cei shut the door, stopping Rudolf Koelbl, Rino Bon, and Paolo Morosi in succession.

A commanding victory delivered two vital points in the promotion battle. Elsewhere, Messina defeated Catanzaro, while Bari and Brescia both earned draws away from home.

Who played for Padova

Bonollo, Lampredi, Scagnellato, Bon, Grevi, Barbolini, Zerlin I, Arienti, Koelbl, Zerlin II, Morosi

Manager: Matè

Who played for Lazio

Cei, Zanetti, Garbuglia, Governato, Seghedoni, Gasperi, Maraschi, Landoni, Bernasconi, Morrone, Moschino