This week in Lazio history we have some great comebacks, spectacular wins, Gazza’s gem at Pescara and we remember Franco Janich
Matches of the Week
Date: Sunday, December 2, 1984
Venue: Stadio Luigi Ferraris, Genoa
Fixture: Sampdoria Lazio 2-2
Two-zero down, the Biancocelesti snatch a miraculous draw with two goals in five minutes thanks to Calisti and Batista
Date: Friday, December 3, 2010
Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Fixture: Lazio Inter 3-1
Lazio earn a hard fought but deserved victory over previous season’s “Triplete” winners. Biava, Zarate and Hernanes the scorers
Date: Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Venue: Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Milan
Fixture: Milan Lazio 1-2 (aet), Coppa Italia, Round of 16
A late equaliser and a Pandev goal in extra time give Lazio rare win in Milan
Date: Sunday, December 4, 1932
Venue: Stadio PNF, Rome
Fixture: Lazio Alessandria 6-0
Big win for the Biancocelesti over the Piedmontese thanks to Demaria, Bisigato, Guarisi and Castelli
Date: Saturday, December 7, 2019
Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Fixture: Lazio Juventus 3-1
Lazio come from behind to stun Juventus and join scudetto race
Match In Focus
Date: Sunday, December 6, 1992
Venue: Stadio Adriatico, Pescara
Fixture: Pescara Lazio 2-3
A cold, windy, militarized Pescara welcomed Lazio on the Adriatic coast. A crowd of about 15,000 were present at the nicely located stadium, near the sea and surrounded by pine trees. The travelling Lazio fans were purposely delayed by the police for security reasons and missed the kick-off (I was there independently and wisely avoided the away sector). Lazio played in their yellow away shirts as Pescara have similar colours.
The game started with Pescara more positive but without ever really threatening Valerio Fiori. A few corners, scrambles and a Dunga shot over the bar for the home side while Lazio had a Beppe Signori low left-footed effort saved into corner by Fabio Marchioro.
In the 23rd minute the game was illuminated by Paul Gascoigne’s masterpiece. The Englishman got the ball about 35 metres out and brilliantly dribbled straight through the Pescara defence, he jumped four defenders in a space of ten metres, ran into the box and beat the keeper with a low left-footed strike. An incredible goal which even some of the home supporters applauded (and there’s no love lost between Pescara and Lazio to put it mildly). Pescara 0 Lazio 1.
The home side went flat and Lazio could have doubled their lead before the break. Signori had two chances, first a left foot whistled past the post and then a right foot was parried by Marchioro. Halftime Pescara 0 Lazio 1. So far “Gazza show” was making the difference.
In the second half the “Delfini” equalised almost immediately. In the 48th minute, from a low cross from the right, Borgnovo stretched and anticipated Luca Luzardi with a flicked shot into the far post corner. Pescara 1 Lazio 1.
The game then became more balanced again with Pescara with more possession and Lazio waiting to strike on the break.
In the 63rd minute there was an ugly and unfortunate episode when a linesman collapsed in shock when a cherry bomb, thrown by the home fans, exploded near him. Despite being in a confused state for a few minutes, he was then able to continue.
In the 72nd minute another quality goal put Lazio ahead. This time by Signori who lobbed a defender in the area and hammered a low left-footed volley into the net. Great goal and Pescara 1 Lazio 2.
The lead however only lasted one minute. In the 73rd minute Dunga tried his luck from the long range, Fiori was uncertain with the save and Massimiliano Allegri slotted in the rebound. Pescara 2 Lazio 2.
The game then went a bit quiet, both sides seemingly settling for a draw.
Night descended early on Pescara on this bitter winter night and the floodlights were turned on. This and the linesman’s resentment over the previous episode could partly account for what happened in the last minute of the game.
On a corner, from the right by Stroppa, Luzardi headed the ball towards goal in a crowded area, it hit the crossbar and bounced very near the goal line, on the line, over the line? On the rebound Cristiano Bergodi saw his touch trickle just wide of the post. The linesman however, followed by the referee, indicated the centre circle meaning it was a goal. Pescara 2 Lazio 3. Was it in? We will never know, not even the TV coverage later could make it out. Obviously, there were furious protests by the Pescaresi but that was the final score, Pescara 2 Lazio 3.
An important win for Lazio, deserved if only for the quality of their first two goals, master class by Signori but especially Gazza.
Gascoigne has since insinuated he played in an intoxicated state that day..…
In Memory: Franco Janich
Francesco Ianich, better known as Franco Janich, was born in Udine on March 27, 1937. He started playing with Spilimbergo and then in 1956 moved to Atalanta where he debuted in Serie A on September 16 1956. Two years later he moved to Lazio.
He immediately won the Coppa Italia and stayed at the club for three years becoming captain. He was a very elegant and technical defender, probably among the best ever to have played for the Biancocelesti. In his three years at the club he played 93 games in Serie A and 10 in Coppa Italia.
In 1962 he moved to Bologna and became a pillar of the Rossoblu defence. He stayed 11 years with 376 appearances (8th all time for Bologna), winning a scudetto in 1963-64, a Coppa Italia in 1969-70 and a Mitropa Cup in 1961.
In 1972-73 he moved to Lucchese in Serie C and then retired. In his entire career he was never sent off and never scored, but that was not his job.
He played six games for Italy. His first was in the infamous Cile Italy 2-0 at the World Cup of 1962 with some of the worst refereeing ever. His last was the other infamous Italy vs North Korea game in the 1966 World Cup that Italy lost.
After he retired he became general director of Napoli from 1972 to 1976 and then sporting director for Como. He returned to Lazio as sporting director in 1978 and stayed until the arrival of Luciano Moggi in 1980. He then worked for Bari for eight years.
At Lazio he was highly regarded and loved by the fans. He never forgot Lazio and always followed the club with affection. He died in Nemi, near Rome, where he had settled, on December 2, 2019.
Birthdays This Week
- Franco Rier, 2/12/1908, midfielder, Italy, 29 appearances, 8 goals (1928-30)
- Leopoldo Caimmi, 3/12/1906, midfielder, Italy, 79 appearances, 1 goal (1927-31)
- Rino Gritti, 3/12/1948, midfielder, Italy, 24 appearances 2 goals (1971-72)
- Giovanni Fiorini, 4/12/1905, midfielder, Italy, 47 appearances, 2 goals (1924-27)
- Paolo Mandelli, 4/12/1967, forward, Italy, 39 appearances, 6 goals (1986-87)
- Nicolò Rovella, 4/12/2001, midfielder, Italy, 47 appearances (2023-onwards)
- Raul Moro, 5/12/2002, forward, Spain, 20 appearances (2020-22)
- Fernando Pellegrini, 5/12/1886, forward, Italy, 8 appearances (early years)
- Dario Sanguin, 6/12/1957, midfielder, Italy, 65 appearances 2 goals (1980-82)
This Article Was Written by Dag Jenkins & Simon Basten from Lazio Stories. More Information on the Above Matches and Players can be found on LazioStories.com.
