Negro and Di Matteo overturn Piacenza
- Dag Jenkins
- Feb 27, 2023
- 3 min read
Game 25, Serie A
Sunday, February 26, 1994
Stadio Galleana, Piacenza
Piacenza Lazio 1-2
Two unlikely match winners as Lazio come from behind to get deserved win
Lazio were currently 5th in the table in Serie A, on 29 points. Lazio had won 11 (including Juventus 3-1 at home and Inter 2-1 away), drawn 7 (including derby 1-1) and lost 6. They came from a 0-1 home defeat to Milan.
Paicenza were joint 11th, with Roma on 22 points. They had won 7 (including Foggia 5-4, Roma 1-0 and Inter 2-1 at home), drawn 8 (including Milan 0-0 at home) and lost 9 (including Lazio 0-1 away). The Biancorossi were holding their own in the top category but were still only three points from the drop zone (Genoa and Udinese on 19).
Not an easy game for Lazio today. Piacenza especially at home were competitive (W5, D1, L1), had not lost in six months and had already surprised a few big teams at the Galleana.
The match
A grey day in Emilia brought just under 15,000 to the small stadium built in 1969 and named after the area of its location.
Piacenza were missing defender Stefano Maccoppi while Lazio had no really important absences.
The first half was balanced even if Lazio had more chances. Both sides defended well and tried to strike on the break. For the locals Francesco Turrini threatened with a header from an Agostino Iacobelli cross but Luca Marchegiani saved on the far post. For the Romans, Alen Boksic went on a good run and shot from the left but Massimo Taibi parried, then the keeper made an even better save on a low Diego Fuser cross goal strike and finally a Beppe Signori header went just wide. Halftime Piacenza 0 Lazio 0. Lazio not dominating but they would be ahead on points in a boxing match.
In the second half the first chance was for Gianpietro Piovani but his shot flew well over the bar. Then the goals came. In the 59th minute the Emiliani went in front. A hesitation by Mauro Bonomi was punished by Piovani who struck an excellent first time, medium height, cross goal effort which beat Marchegiani, 1-0.
The Poppies had no time to bask in the sun, metaphorically at least, considering today's weather, as only a minute later Lazio equalised.
In the 60th minute Signori floated a free kick into the area where Paolo Negro took advantage of his heading skills to rise high and beat Taibi, 1-1.
Lazio now suddenly showed their superior quality and started to dominate in midfield. The hosts were in difficulty and in the 65th minute took off forward Marco Ferrante and brought on midfielder Giuseppe Ferrazzoli.
In the 72nd minute the Roman Eagles completed their comeback. Paul Gascoigne brilliantly set up Roberto Di Matteo in the box and the Italo-Swiss controlled the ball and with the outside of his boot placed it inside the far post, 1-2.
Piacenza immediately changed defender Carannante for Massimo Brioschi but the damage was done. There were a few scrambles in the Lazio area but the Biancocelesti were now generally in control and easily played out the last fifteen minutes even without resorting to any substitutions. They almost made it three with another Negro header but maybe a brace by the Brescia-born defender would have been too much to ask. Final score Piacenza 1 Lazio 2.
A deserved win in the end. After an even first hour and despite falling behind Lazio had overturned the score by equalising immediately and then showing off the superior quality of their players. The only negative was Roberto Cravero's yellow card which meant he would miss the upcoming derby.
Piacenza, whose six-month unbeaten home record was over, had held their own for two-thirds of the game but then had to succumb to the difference in class between the two squads.
Lazio were still 5th on 31 points while Piacenza were joint 11th with Roma on 22 points and now only one above Genoa and Udinese on 21 (both had won).
Who played for Piacenza
Taibi, Chiti, Carannante (73' Brioschi), Suppa, Polonia, Lucci, Turrini, Iacobelli, Ferrante (65' Ferazzoli), Moretti, Piovani
Substitutes: Gandini, Di Cintio, Papais
Manager: Cagni
Who played for Lazio
Manager: Zoff
Referee: Arena
Goals: 59' Piovani, 60' Negro, 72' Di Matteo
Sources
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