Remember That Day? Lazio-Juventus 1965

November 28, 1965, marked a significant Serie A encounter at Rome`s Stadio Olimpico between Lazio and Juventus. The match ended with a 1-0 victory for the visiting Bianconeri, thanks to a memorable goal by Dino Da Costa.

Juventus approached this away fixture as the league`s sole undefeated team, holding a record of four wins and six draws. Coach Heriberto Herrera faced team selection challenges, as key players Luis Del Sol, the influential Spanish midfielder, and Vincenzo Traspedini, a summer forward signing, were sidelined by injury. Their spots were filled by Bruno Mazzia, a midfielder from the club`s ranks, and the experienced Dino Da Costa. At 34 years old, Da Costa was a formidable striker, renowned for winning the Serie A top scorer title in the 1956-57 season with Roma. Now in his third season with Juventus, his talent and reliability remained evident; he had recently found the net in a 2-2 draw against Spal.

Da Costa seemed to open the scoring within the first minute on a pitch where he had previously been a star, but the goal was controversially disallowed by referee Lo Bello. Despite this setback, Juventus, orchestrated by the Brazilian playmaker Cinesinho (brought in following the departure of the legendary Sivori), quickly established control. The decisive moment arrived in the 28th minute: from a shot by Bruno Mazzia that appeared straightforward for the goalkeeper Cei, Da Costa, with his back facing the goal, executed a moment of pure genius. He deftly flicked the ball with a backheel, sending it past the stranded Lazio keeper. It was a stunning, decisive goal from a striker of exceptional class.

In the second half, Lazio launched a fierce response. The home side effectively combined the technical abilities of several players, including Governato, Bartù, Mari, D’Amato, and Ciccolo, with intense competitive spirit. However, the Juventus defense, anchored by an outstanding performance from goalkeeper Roberto Anzolin, successfully withstood the pressure in the closing stages to secure the crucial win and maintain their clean sheet.

According to the official “Hurrà Juventus” magazine, the victory continued Juventus`s positive record at the Olimpico against Lazio. The win was particularly significant as it represented their first away triumph of the season and came against an opponent considered the toughest faced on the road thus far. While acknowledging Lazio`s strong second-half performance and quality, the magazine criticized their sometimes excessive aggression, leading to numerous fouls. It also condemned instances of “unsportsmanlike conduct,” referencing post-match player disagreements and aggressive behavior by some Lazio fans towards Del Sol in the stands. “Hurrà Juventus” defended referee Lo Bello, asserting he applied the rules fairly, and even pointed out the early disallowed Da Costa goal as a questionable decision that had gone against Juventus. Da Costa`s winning goal was highlighted as a stroke of genius, showcasing his continued effectiveness and vital contribution to the team. Along with Vinicio from Lanerossi Vicenza, Da Costa was celebrated as an exemplary veteran imported player still performing at the highest level. The article also noted the impact of the injured players, mentioning that while Mazzia performed well, he couldn`t entirely replicate the dynamic contribution of Del Sol. One-third into the season, Juventus proudly remained the only undefeated team in the league, positioned among the top four contenders, and boasting an impressive goal difference (14 scored, 4 conceded).