Lazio triumph in relegation derby

Dag Jenkins
Apr 21, 2023
4 min read

Updated: Jun 22

Season 1947-48

Game 30, Serie A

Wednesday, April 21, 1948

Stadio Nazionale, Rome

Roma-Lazio 0-2

Goals by Cecconi and De Andreis ease Lazio's worries

So far Lazio had played 28 games and were 13th, in mid-table with 25 points. From the 22nd fixture, February 15, manager Tony Cargnelli had been replaced by Orlando Tognotti. They had won 7, drawn 11 (including Juventus 1-1 away) and lost 10 (including Roma 0-1). They were however unbeaten in the last 5 matches (including a 1-1 away draw with Inter and most recently a 0-0 home draw with Juventus). Despite being 13th out of 22, Lazio were only three points above the drop zone (Genoa and Lucchese on 22).

Roma were struggling. They had played 27 games and were 15th on 23 points, only one from Serie B. The Giallorossi had won 8 (including the first derby), drawn 7 and lost 12 (including Torino 1-7 at home). The Lupi however were winless since February 1 (4 draws and 4 defeats).

The game number difference was because every week there were ten matches and two teams rested.

A delicate derby today seeing both teams could not risk losing as the drop zone was so close behind them. Judging by recent results however, Lazio seemed more on form but that often did not count in the "stracittadina".

The match

A glorious sunny day materialised for the "Derby della Capitale" and a crowd of just under 30,000 turned up for this midweek clash.

The match was preceded by a bit of a show as a small plane flew low over the field and dropped the match ball, with Roma and Lazio coloured ribbons, onto the halfway line. It was put on by the leading Roman sports newspaper.

Roma at the last minute had to do without keeper Fosco Risorti and fielded Cesare Francalancia instead plus midfielder Onofrio Fusco was out. Lazio were missing defender Francesco Antonazzi and forward Enrique Flamini.

Both sides seemed tense but Lazio started better. In the 2nd minute Mario Magrini tried from long range but Francalancia saved comfortably. In the 4th Costantino De Andreis messed up his last control and wasted a potential opportunity. In the 5th captain Salvador Gualtieri fired just over the bar.

Roma showed their faces up front in the 7th minute but Uber Gradella easily blocked a low Amedeo Amadei shot.

In the 9th minute Lazio had a penalty appeal when Sergio Andreoli handled an Aldo Puccinelli cross but the referee gave a freekick from the edge of the box.

Lazio were quicker and sharper than Roma who were more mechanical.

In the 22nd minute however Roma had a good chance with Gyula Zsengellér who poked the ball from outside the area but it shaved the top corner.

Lazio attacked more and José Valle last ditch tackles saved the Giallorossi a couple of times and then Romolo Alzani fired high.

In the 26th minute a misunderstanding between Gradella and Sergio Piacentini allowed Omero Losi to have a clear shot at goal but he missed.

In the 30th minute a good Romano Penzo-Puccinelli combination set up Magrini but his effort was weak.

In the 33rd minute Amadei fired a freekick just wide.

In the 37th minute Francialancia pulled off a superb save on Alessandro Ferri.

In the 40th Amadei had another freekick but again was off target. Halftime score Roma 0 Lazio 0.

Lazio had started stronger but Roma had grown into the game and finished aggressively. The stalemate was probably fair at this point.

Lazio started the second half playing against the sun but this did not prevent them from taking the lead immediately. In the 46th minute Alzani fed Puccinelli who crossed low into the middle where Flavio Cecconi came bursting in and beat Francalancia. Roma 0 Lazio 1.

Lazio took advantage of Roma's confusion and had more chances. In the 48th minute Leandro Remondini fired a freekick well over the bar and then Penzo was just anticipated by the keeper who dived low at his feet.

In the 52nd minute Lazio doubled their lead. An Alzani-Puccinelli move was headed in by De Andreis, helped by the keeper losing his footing. Roma 0 Lazio 2.

In the 56th Francalancia acrobatically saved an insidious Magrini cross.

Lazio's period of domination was only interrupted temporarily in the 63rd minute when Valle set up Losi who missed from close range.

Lazio then took control again. Cecconi shot high, the keeper saved on Penzo, Corrado Contin avoided two other potential goals and Puccinelli missed from no more than three metres out.

Lazio were superior in midfield where Gualtieri-Alzani- Ferri ran the show.

From the hour mark Roma exerted some pressure on the Lazio defence but Gradella had no real work to do.

At the other end, Francalancia was busy on a Lazio counterattack, rushing off his line to snatch the ball from Penzo.

Roma were exhausted and, apart from a few Amadei initiatives which were well contained by Gualtieri, were down and out. In fact, it was Gualtieri who was unanimously chosen as man of the match. The whole Lazio midfield had played well but the Argentine had been superb.

A great derby win for Lazio and definitely deserved with a brilliant second half.

Lazio moved up to 10th on 27 points and now 4 points from the relegation zone and with an 8-club cushion.

Roma were down to joint 16th on 23 points with Salernitana, Genoa and Salernitana and only safe at the moment on goal difference. Worrying times on the Giallorosso side of the Tiber.

Who played for Roma

Francalancia, Contin, Andreoli, Jacobini, Valle, Dell'Innocenti, Losi, Di Paola, Amadei, Zsengellér, Pesaola

Manager: Brunella

Who played for Lazio

Gradella, Remondini, Piacentini, Alzani, Gualtieri, Ferri, Puccinelli, Magrini, Penzo, Cecconi, De Andreis