What happened in Serie A 1955-56

Source Wikipedia

The scudetto in the previous season had been won by Milan with a four-point lead over Udinese, who would later be relegated for bribery. At the end of the first half of the season Milan had a four-point lead over Fiorentina. In the second part Bologna got closer to the Rossoneri but it did not last long. Milan always had a fairly comfortable lead throughout.

For the first time two games were televised live: Roma - Atalanta and Napoli - Fiorentina on December 31. Also interesting was the use of foreign referees in the later part of the campionato, mainly Austrian.

This season saw the debut of the European Cup, later to be called Champions League. At the start of the tournament, Real Madrid, Anderlecht, AC Milan, Rot-Weiss Essen, Reims, Djurgården, and AGF were the reigning champions of their respective national leagues. English champions Chelsea had initially agreed to take part and were drawn to face Djurgården of Sweden. However, following pressure from the FA, which viewed the competition as a distraction from domestic football, Chelsea withdrew. They were subsequently replaced by Poland’s Gwardia Warsaw. Additionally, Holland Sport, Honvéd, and AB declined the chance to represent the Netherlands, Hungary, and Denmark. Their places were taken by PSV Eindhoven, Vörös Lobogó, and AGF, respectively. Hibernian were invited instead of Aberdeen because they were the only Scottish team to have floodlights. Dynamo Moscow did not participate due to the climatic restrictions. The first-round pairings were fixed by the organisers. This would never happen again.

September & October

Fiorentina and Inter started off the season very well and raced ahead. The Viola destroyed Juventus 4-0 away in the third fixture, Inter won the Milan derby, and the two teams drew 0-0. The Nerazzurri were one point ahead until the last game of October when they lost against Sampdoria and Fiorentina drew at Vicenza. The Rome derby ended goalless as did the Turin one whilst Genoa beat Sampdoria. To note is the bad start by Juventus: no wins, five draws and two defeats.

Fiorentina 11, Inter 11, Torino 9, Milan 9, Napoli 9, Spal 9, Roma 8, Sampdoria 8, Novara 7, Vicenza 7, Lazio 6, Bologna 5, Atalanta 5, Genoa 5, Juventus 5, Padova 5, Pro Patria 4, Triestina 3

November & December

Fiorentina raced off and left the rest behind. Inter lost ground and in the five games between November and December made just two points, so now second place was held by Torino and surprise Vicenza. Juve improved a little bit as they won a few games. Triestina and Pro Patria already way behind.

In the leg of the first round of the European Cup Milan surprisingly lost 4-3 at home to Saarbruken but later on in the month won the return match 4-1 and qualified for the quarter finals.

Fiorentina 20, Torino 15, Vicenza 15, Napoli 14, Milan 13, Inter 13, Roma 13, Atalanta 13, Sampdoria 13, Spal 12, Padova 12, Juventus 12, Lazio 11, Genoa 11, Novara 10, Bologna 8, Triestina 6, Pro Patria 5

January

Fiorentina continued to have a five-point lead. Torino were overtaken by Milan in second place. Juventus improved considerably and were now fourth having beaten both Lazio and Inter. Below, Triestina had left the relegation zone, substituted by Bologna.

In the first leg of the European Cup quarter finals, Milan drew away with Rapid Wien.

Fiorentina 27, Milan 22, Torino 21, Juventus 20, Sampdoria 19, Inter 18, Roma 18, Padova 18, Vicenza 18, Napoli 17, Atalanta 17, Spal 17, Lazio 15, Genoa 14, Novara 13, Triestina 13, Bologna 12, Pro Patria 7

February

Fiorentina went +6 at the end of a month characterised by postponed games due to snow. Milan were now in solitary second place while below Bologna were in deep trouble with Pro Patria practically relegated.

In the second leg of the European Cup quarter finals, Milan demolished Rapid Wien 7-2 and qualified for the semis.

Fiorentina 33, Milan 27, Inter 23, Spal 22, Sampdoria 22, Torino 21*, Vicenza 21, Juventus 21, Roma 20, Atalanta 20, Lazio 19, Napoli 19, Novara 18, Genoa 18, Padova 18, Triestina 17, Bologna 12*, Pro Patria 7

* one game in hand

March

Fiorentina immediately went to +8 as they beat Inter away and Milan lost in Naples. Just ten games left and the Viola had practically won the scudetto. Torino won the derby “away”, Inter did the same while the Genoese clash ended goalless. The Rome derby was postponed due to snow!!! Below Bologna recovered a little bit and were currently on the same points as Novara.

Fiorentina 39, Milan 30, Inter 29, Spal 26, Roma 25*, Atalanta 25, Padova 25, Sampdoria 25, Juventus 24, Lazio 23*, Genoa 23, Torino 23, Vicenza 23, Napoli 22, Triestina 22, Bologna 19, Novara 19, Pro Patria 8

* one game in hand

April

By the end of the month Fiorentina were +11 with six games left. Lazio won the derby which had been postponed the previous month and crept up to fourth place one point behind Inter, third. Bologna had raced away to safety. The final relegation place looked as if it would be between Vicenza and Novara.

In the first leg of the European Cup semifinal Milan lost 4-2 away to Real Madrid.

Fiorentina 46, Milan 35, Inter 32, Lazio 31, Sampdoria 30, Spal 29, Roma 29, Atalanta 28, Padova 28, Triestina 28, Bologna 27, Juventus 27, Genoa 26, Napoli 26, Torino 26, Vicenza 24, Novara 22, Pro Patria 10

May & June

In the 29th fixture by drawing away with Triestina and Milan not winning away to Juventus, Fiorentina were champions. A marvellous season for them and first title. Milan came second with Inter and Lazio third. There was virtually no relegation battle as Novara were not able to put up much of a fight and they joined Pro Patria in Serie B. Udinese and Palermo were promoted. Top scorer in Serie A was Gino Pivatelli (Bologna) with 27 goals.

Milan beat Real Madrid in the second leg of the European Cup semifinal but the 2-1 was not enough to reach the final.

Final Table: Fiorentina 53, Milan 41, Inter 39, Lazio 39, Bologna 37, Roma 35, Sampdoria 35, Padova 34, Spal 33, Genoa 33, Torino 33, Juventus 33, Vicenza 33, Napoli 32, Atalanta 31, Triestina 30, Novara 26, Pro Patria 15