Dominate and administer
Round of 16, Coppa Italia
Wednesday, October 23, 1996
Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi, Verona
Verona-Lazio 1-2
Lazio first run riot then restrain Verona's comeback attempt
Lazio had started their Coppa Italia campaign on August 28 and had won 1-0 away at Avellino. Today was Verona away in the 3rd round.
Verona were newly promoted. To get to this 3rd round clash against Lazio they had beaten Bari (1-1 away and 3-0 at home in replay).
An unpredictable game today between two teams who had both started badly but now had found a series of positive results.
The match
Just under 10,000 spectators turned up for this Wednesday night cup game.
Lazio were without defender José Antonio Chamot and midfielders Paul Okon and Giorgio Venturin but fielded a strong side.
Verona were missing defender Sebastiano Siviglia.
Lazio dominated the first half hour or so. They were determined, aggressive and sharp.
They took the lead in the 8th minute. Roberto Rambaudi combined with Diego Fuser, cleverly dribbled past a defender and from close range beat Matteo Guardalben on the front post, 0-1.
Lazio were in complete control and doubled the score in the 23rd minute. Beppe Signori teed up Pavel Nedved who controlled the ball with his right foot and scored with his left, 0-2.
Lazio could then have scored another three times but Signori was off target.
Towards the end of the half Verona threatened a few times with set pieces and an Eugenio Corino freekick shaved the post.
Right on the bell the Gialloblu pulled one back with a cracking long range shot by Pierluigi Orlandini, 1-2.
For the second half Lazio replaced Igor Protti with Gigi Casiraghi.
Verona now clearly believed in a comeback and attacked more but Lazio were still the more dangerous. Casiraghi in particular went close twice, first his left foot skimmed the top of the crossbar and then he was denied by an excellent Guardalben save.
Verona tried to inject fresh energy by replacing three players between the 56th and 64th minutes but Lazio stood firm.
Lazio themselves took off Diego Fuser for a more conservative Roberto Baronio in the 66th minute and in the 81st threw on Guerino Gottardi for Beppe Favalli.
A deserved win for Lazio who could have scored four or five in the first half and then absorbed Verona's second half attacks with calm authority.
Lazio would now play Napoli first away and then at home in the quarter finals in November.
Who played for Verona
Guardalben, Fattori, Caverzan, Baroni, Vanoli, Orlandini, Ficcadenti, Corini (61' Bacci), L.Colucci, De Vitis (56' Maniero), Zanini (64' Manetti)
Manager: Cagni
Who played for Lazio
Marchegiani, Negro, Fish, Nesta, Favalli (81' Gottardi), Fuser (66' Baronio), Marcolin, Nedved, Rambaudi, Protti (46' Casiraghi), Signori
Substitutes: Orsi, Franceschini, Grandoni, Piovanelli
Manager: Zeman
Referee: Collina
Goals: 8' Rambaudi, 23' Nedved, 45' Orlandini
Sources
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