Lazio overcome Trani to reach the next round

Simon Basten

Sep 6, 2023

3 min read

Season 1964-65

First Round, Coppa Italia

Sunday, September 6, 1964

Stadio Adriatico, Pescara

Trani Lazio 0-3

Lazio's new attacking trio of Petris, Piaceri and Renna impress as Mannocci's side comfortably overcome Trani, despite some worrying defensive lapses

Today was the first game of the season, the first round of Coppa Italia against Trani, played at Pescara.

The match

Lazio began their 1964–65 Coppa Italia campaign with a comfortable 3–0 victory over Trani at Pescara's Stadio Adriatico, although the scoreline rather flattered a performance that contained both encouraging signs and some worrying defensive lapses. The main positive was the effectiveness of Umberto Mannocci's new attacking trio, with Gianfranco Petris on the left, Giampaolo Piaceri through the middle and Antonio Renna on the right. The three combined well and provided Lazio with a more dynamic attacking threat, particularly on the counterattack.

The opening exchanges immediately highlighted both sides of Lazio's performance. Lazio nearly took the lead after only two minutes when Renna's free-kick was spilled by goalkeeper Giuliano Biggi, but Piaceri fired straight at him. Three minutes later, however, the breakthrough arrived. Eugenio Fascetti created the opening inside the area and saw his shot blocked. Petris recovered the ball on the left and fed Piaceri, who laid it back to Nello Governato. The midfielder shifted the ball from his right foot to his left before producing a delicate lob that left Bigi helpless.

The goal encouraged Trani to attack with considerable intensity. The Apulian side attempted to overwhelm Lazio with speed and aggression, but their approach lacked precision and they were unable to turn their pressure into clear chances. Lazio's defensive organisation nevertheless looked uncomfortable. The injury to Vincenzo Gasperi, who had already been struggling after taking a blow to his right ankle, forced him off after a collision involving goalkeeper Idilio Cei and Diego Zanetti. Pietro Dotti moved into a libero role, but the change disrupted Lazio's defensive structure. Franco Marini came in.

Lazio survived the pressure and restored their control just before half-time. In the 40th minute, Marini's free-kick released Petris, who beat Giuseppe Pappalettera with a header before entering the area and crossing. Michele D'Elia then handled the ball, leaving the referee with little choice but to award a penalty. Renna made no mistake, sending a low shot to Bigi's right to double Lazio's advantage.

The second half was largely one-way traffic. Piaceri and Renna both came close in the opening stages, with their powerful efforts requiring desperate defensive blocks. Piaceri was then denied by Bigi from close range, while Petris forced the Trani goalkeeper into another difficult save.

The third goal finally arrived after Petris released Renna. The winger lifted the ball before shooting, but Bigi could only spill his effort. Piaceri, following up at speed, had the simplest of tasks, tapping the loose ball into an empty net to make it 3–0.

With the result effectively secured, Lazio understandably reduced the tempo. Trani attempted to salvage something from the match, but their increasingly desperate attacks produced little beyond giving Roberto Gori, who had replaced Cei after around the half hour mark, the opportunity to make several useful saves.

The victory nevertheless left Mannocci with some tactical questions to resolve. The defensive problems had been caused partly by the midfield pushing too high and leaving the back line exposed. Perhaps Kurt Christiansen, who had performed impressively, might have been better used in a deeper role, allowing Governato greater freedom to organise the defence. At the other end, however, the new three-man attack had offered considerable encouragement.

For Lazio, the most important conclusion was that there was a workable foundation on which Mannocci could build. Christiansen, Fascetti and the three forwards were among the side's best performers. With the league campaign approaching, Lazio's task was now to refine the balance between the adventurous new attack and a defence that had looked considerably less convincing.

Who played for Trani

Biggi, Pappalettera, Galvanin, Bazarini, D'Elia, Carradori, Arfuso, Malavasi, Silva, Franzon (46' Cosmano), Lombardo

Manager: Marsico

Who played for Lazio

Cei (75' Gori), Zanetti, Dotti, Governato, Pagni, Gasperi (26' Marini), Renna, Fascetti, Piaceri, Christensen, Petris