Last minute goal from Pastore secures vital win
The Biancocelesti win after a rollercoaster finish
The season so far
The previous season had been pretty anonymous for the Biancocelesti who, despite winning against Juventus, Ambrosiana Inter, Milan and Roma had thrown away points against smaller teams and arrived 10th. Manager Karl Strumer had been confirmed.
The summer transfers were practically zero. Lazio did not have a lot of money and since the youth teams had done so well, President Remo Zenobi decided to use the youngsters. There were only two major signings: Raggio Montanari from Foggia and Giovanni Battioni from Anconitana, both midfield players.
In the first four games of the season Lazio had beaten Palermo in the first game, lost to Milan in the second, drawn with Pro Vercelli in the third and lost to Napoli in the fourth. A win at home today against Padova was needed.
The match: Sunday, October 8, 1933, Stadio PNF, Rome
An incredible finale to a match that was a bit boring in the beginning. Padova tried to get control of the game but all their efforts were confused and produced very little. Lazio waited and tried to do their best. A quick counter attack allowed Piero Pastore to shoot but his big whack was deflected into corner. In the 27th minute Lazio scored. Filò Guarisi found himself on the edge of the penalty box with all the Padova defence in front of him. Clinical shot, 1-0 for the Biancocelesti.
It did not last long. In the 33rd minute Antonio Busini to former Lazio Aldo Spivach, ball to Giacchino Bettini, 1-1. Towards the end of the first half Alejandro Demaria to Giovanni Battioni who dribbled past Feliciano Monti, quick shot that was parried by Aldo Olivieri. But the ball was still in play and Montanari headed it in for Lazio’s second goal. The first half ended 2-1 for the Biancocelesti.
In the second half Giovanni Battistoni took over and Lazio fell back. A magnificent half hour by the Padova midfielder that put the Biancocelesti in great difficulty. Spivach was moved to the right wing and another former Lazio, Alfredo Foni placed in the centre. Armando Del Debbio saved an almost certain goal before the final two minutes of chaos.
In the 88th minute, Armando Bertagni intercepted Battistoni, ball to Duilio Salatin who passed to Demaria. The Laziale crossed but Monti sent the ball into corner. The referee did not see the deflection and Padova quickly put the ball back into play. The Biancocelesti did not react, Battistoni to Walter D’Odorico who headed the ball to Spivach, big whack and Padova equalised.
There was one minute to go. Pastore took the ball to the centre of the pitch, the referee was about to end the game. Montanari advanced, Guarisi moved past the Padova defenders and the ball reached him. Cross, Olivieri caught it but left it for a split second, enough time for Pastore to put the ball in the net.
The Padova players protested but the referee was just a few steps away and gave Lazio their winner.
An incredible turnaround of events, but a deserved win for the Biancocelesti.
Who played for Lazio
Sclavi, Bertagni, Del Debbio, Fantoni II, Salatin, Serafini, Guarisi, Montanari, Pastore, Battioni, Demaria
Manager: Sturmer
Who played for Padova
Olivieri, Monti III, Bergamini, Zanvettori, Battistoni, Baldo, Spivach, Foni, D'Odorico, Busini III, Bettini.
Referee: Carminiati
Goals: 27’ Guarisi, 33’ Bettini, 41’ Montanari, 88’ Spivach, 89’ Pastore
What happened next
The club’s main objective for the 1933-34 season was to avoid relegation, as a consequence the modest 10th place achieved the desired result. The highlights were drawing 2-2 against the mighty Juventus and beating Milan 4-0. Lazio lost 8-1 to Ambrosiana (but they had been reduced to 9 men due to two injuries, with no possibility at that time for substitutions) and 5-0 to Roma, but got a partial revenge in the return match when trailing 3-0 they managed to draw.
Armando Bertagni and Anfilogino Filò Guarisi were the players with the most appearances (33). Filò was the top scorer with 13 goals.
Lazio 1932-33
Competition | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals Scored |
Serie A | 34 | 12 | 9 | 13 | 42 |
Top appearances
Player | Appearances Serie A |
Serafini | 33 |
Sclavi | 31 |
Fantoni I | 31 |
Bertagni | 31 |
Top goal scorers
Player | Appearances Serie A |
Fantoni I | 10 |
Demaria | 7 |
Guarisi | 6 |
Bisigato | 6 |
Pastore | 5 |
Let’s talk about Anfilogino Filò Guarisi
Amphilóquio Marques Guarisi, known in Italy as Anfilogino Guarisi, nicknamed Filò, was Lazio’s first World Champion.
Born in São Paulo on December 26, 1905, from Italian immigrant parents, he started his football career with Portuguesa where he played from 1921 to 1925 with 80 appearances and 41 goals. In 1925 he signed for Paulistano and in 1926 was top scorer in the Campeonato Paulista. After 90 games and 46 goals, he moved to Corinthians and won three consecutive titles (1928, 1929 and 1930).
In 1931 he signed for Lazio. It was the famous Brazilazio made up of many Brazilians with Italian ancestry. In the beginning he did not play so well but this was because he was waiting for a special pair of football boots made especially for him. Once they arrived, he became one of the best players of the Italian Serie A. A fast, little winger, he was a great assist man and had a great shot. He was a classical thorn in the side for the opposing teams and had a great ball control. His managers always considered him fundamental. He played 135 games and scored 43 goals in five years of Lazio, was captain and much loved by his team mates and fans.
In 1936 he went back to Corinthians and won a Campeonato Paulista in 1937, but came back to Rome in 1938, albeit playing only two games. Again back to Corinthians he played there for a year before signing first with Portughesa Santista and then Palestra Italia where he again won the regional championship.
Guarisi was part of the Italian Nazionale that won the World Cup in 1934. He played one game against the USA. In total he has 4 caps with Brazil and six with Italy with one goal. He was the first Brazilian to win a World Cup.
He died in Sao Paulo on June 8, 1974.
Lazio Career
Season | Total appearances (goals) | Serie A | Coppa Italia |
1931-32 | 32 (12) | 32 (12) | - |
1932-33 | 29 (6) | 29 (6) | - |
1933-34 | 33 (12) | 33 (12) | - |
1934-35 | 20 (8) | 20 (8) | - |
1935-36 | 21 (5) | 18 (5) | 3 |
1937-38 | 2 | 2 | - |
Total | 135 (43) | 132 (43) | 3 |
Sources