Lazio out of high water

Dag Jenkins
Jun 15, 2023
3 min read

Updated: Jun 22

Season 1946-47

Game 35, Serie A

Sunday, June 15, 1947

Stadio Pierluigi Penzo, Venice

Venezia - Lazio 1-2

With a win in Venice the Biancocelesti see safe shores approach

This season, after a winning start away at Bari, Lazio had then lost the next three (including derby 0-3). Since then they had won 9, drawn 9 (including derby 0-0) and lost 10. The Biancocelesti however now were unbeaten since March 23 (Inter 0-1 at home). Lazio were currently in joint 11th place, with Inter and Genoa, on 31 points. They were four points above the relegation zone (today’s opponents Venezia on 27) with four games left.

Venezia were struggling and were in joint 17th place, with Fiorentina, on 27 points and in the third and last relegation slot. The Lagunari had won 10, drawn 7 and lost 17 (including Lazio 1-3).

A delicate match on the lagoon today. Venezia had to win and Lazio could not afford to lose unless they wanted to be dragged down into the thick of the relegation battle.

The match

A hot, sticky and windy afternoon saw about 5,000 spectators at the wonderfully located Penzo stadium.

Lazio had pretty much their best XI while Venezia were missing winger Valeriano Ottino plus midfielder Carlo Sgobbi and Bruno Novello.

Lazio started well at least until they reached the Venetian area. They attacked more but punctually messed up in the last quarter of the field where it really mattered. Venezia were content to absorb pressure but were dangerous on the break.

Towards the half hour however Lazio refined the details and scored two goals in quick succession. In the 29th minute Costantino De Andeis, following a good move all in the air by Aldo Puccinelli and Bruno Ispiro, fired an unstoppable volley into the top hand corner. A superb goal without the ball ever touching the ground, 0-1. Two minutes later Ispiro crossed from the right, De Andreis pushed the ball towards Puccinelli who hit it first time beating a motionless Luigi Griffanti, 0-2.

The Venetians only reaction was an attempt by Francesco Pernigo well saved by Corrado Giubilo. Half time Venezia 0 Lazio 2.

In the first half however, the Romans had played with the strong wind behind them so they were expecting a tougher second forty-five minutes.

The wind proved to be a factor in the 51st minute. Orfeo Bellesini took a freekick from about 25 metres out and it literally flew into the goal aided by wind, 1-2.

The Arancioneroverdi found new enthusiasm and, pushed by the crowd and the wind, attacked continuously. The Lazio defence nevertheless, after a brief period of confusion and nerves, settled and held firm.

The Biancocelesti also threatened occasionally on the counter attack even if the last chance of the game was for the hosts who were unlucky when a Pernigo attempt came back off the post. Final score Venezia 1 Lazio 2.

A hard fought and important win for Lazio with two quality goals.

All in all it was deserved, despite defending for long periods of the second half.

Lazio were now still joint 11th but only with Genoa as Inter had lost 1-3 in Livorno. More importantly the Biancocelesti had a five-point and five-team cushion on the B-zone with three games to go.

Venezia were now 19th as Brescia had leapfrogged them beating Sampdoria 2-1 at home and Fiorentina had drawn 2-2 away at Milan. Things were not looking good on the lagoon.

Who played for Venezia

Griffanti, Tortora, Di Gennaro, Trentin, Puppo, Bellesini, Alberti, Dante, Pernigo, Corbelli, Zambelli

Manager: Marini

Who played for Lazio

Giubilo, Cassano, Antonazzi, Alzani, Gualtieri, Brunetti, Puccinelli, Magrini, Ispiro, Flamini, De Andreis