Game 3, Coppa Italia Group phase
Saturday, June 21, 1958
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Roma Lazio 2-3
A thrilling game rewards the Biancocelesti who edge nearer qualification to quarterfinals
This today however was the third game of Coppa Italia. The domestic cup was to be played in the summer to make up for Italy not qualifying for the 1958 World Cup in Sweden.
Lazio had won their first two matches, Palermo 5-1 and Napoli 3-1 both at home.
In the first two games of the Coppa Italia, the Giallorossi had won 1 (Napoli 2-0 away) and lost 1 (Palermo 2-3 away). This was a crucial game for Roma, if they lost, they would be four points behind their bitter rivals with three games to go.
The match
This was the first ever evening derby and so was played under floodlights. There were about 40,000 spectators.
Roma were without captain Alcides Ghiggia and new midfielder Mario David while Giuseppe Secchi had interrupted his honeymoon to be available for the game. Lazio more or less had their new look line-up, the one for the next season.
The game was open from the start with both sides trying to attack.
Lazio opened the score in the 10th minute. Humberto Tozzi tried his luck from about thirty metres out and sent a powerful low shot towards goal, the keeper Luciano Panetti bent forward to block it but lost it and it ended up in the net. Roma 0 Lazio 1. A goal possibly helped by the novelty of playing with artificial light.
Roma equalised in the 21st minute. Dino da Costa approached the Lazio area and seeing as all his teammates were marked, he let off a perfect strike which hit the inside of the post to Bob Lovati's right and settled into the net. Roma 1 Lazio 1.
The game was entertaining. Both sides had penalty appeals waved away and halftime came with the score level.
There was a novelty for the second half as both sides made substitutions. This was the first tournament in which they were allowed. For Lazio, Egidio Fumagalli came on for Renzo Burini while for Roma, Egidio Guarnacci replaced Augusto Magli.
Lazio went in front again almost immediately. In the 48th minute Fumagalli charged down the left and crossed for Tozzi who unmarked blasted a volley which hit the underside of the crossbar and went in. Roma 1 Lazio 2.
Again, however, Lazio’s lead was short lived. In the 57th minute Severino Lojodice beat Mario Colombo and squared to Giuseppe Secchi who, despite a bad first touch, scored from about four metres out. Roma 2 Lazio 2.
The Biancocelesti then had several chances to score, with Fumagalli particularly dangerous. The goal came however in the 69th minute. Claudio Bizzarri went solo from about 35 metres out on the left, cut inside, dribbled Enzo Menegotti who then lost his balance and sent a cross goal shot in on the far post. Roma 2 Lazio 3.
Lazio then insisted and hit the woodwork twice, first a post with Tozzi and then a crossbar with Maurilio Prini.
Lazio did not finish Roma off so the Giallorossi came back with a late surge. First Lovati saved with his feet from a Lojodice effort and then da Costa hit a post. Final score Roma 2 Lazio 3.
A highly entertaining game with plenty of goal action. A deserved win for Lazio in the end. Roma had attacked more but Lazio had attacked better, had more chances and been more efficient. Standout players were Fumagalli and Tozzi for Lazio and da Costa for Roma.
Lazio now topped the group with 6 points while Roma, Napoli and Palermo all had 2. With three games to go things were looking good for the Biancocelesti.
Who played for Roma
Panetti, Griffith, Losi, Menegotti, Stucchi, Magli (46' Guarnacci), Morbello, Pestrin, Secchi, da Costa, Lojodice
Manager: Nordahl
T.D: Busini
Who played for Lazio
Lovati, Colombo, Lo Buono, Carradori, Pinardi, Pozzan, Bizzarri, Burini (46' Fumagalli), Tozzi, Tagnin, Prini
Manager: Bernardini
Referee: Annoscia
Goals: 10' Tozzi, 19' da Costa, 48' Tozzi, 57' Lojodice, 69' Bizzarri
Sources
Kommentit