Amarcord: Bologna vs Milan some years ago – 7th Februay

BOLOGNA DEFEATS MILAN AND REVENGES LIGUORI

On 2^nd May, 1971 it was played the match Bologna vs Milan at the Local Town Hall stadium in Bologna. It wasn’t any match to play! In the first round, at Milan, the Red-blue half-back Francesco Liguori, was stretchered away due to a really strong action by Romeo Benetti. For the young player, waiting for the Nazionale call-up, a real tragedy started. The injury turned out to be worse than expected. The cruciate ligaments, the inside ligament, the seminular cartilage and the back capsule of the right knee were injured. The young Liguori would be obliged to retire from the professional football due to this injury. So, several Red-blue fans went to the stadium asking to their players to carry out a so called “sport revenge”.

The Milan was fighting with the Internazionale for the Italian Championship , so a defeat in Bologna would have awarded the championship to the Internazionale.

Short summary of the play

The first half was characterized by full turn-up of the books and unsuccessful occasions from side to side. At 4′, Savoldi sent a Bulgarelli’s cross header outside. After two minutes the Milan led. Benetti passed to Rivera who was very fast to dodge a still Red-blue defence and passed to Riva who was very fast to anticipate Vavassori that went out and scored.

At 10′, Prati passed to Rivera, who from 8 to 9 metres from the goal, kicked high.

At 28′ the Milan doubled. Combin crossed slow in the mid box. Roversi, header, anticipated  Prati, but the ball arrived to the freed Villa’s feet, who just few metres from Vavassori, scored easily.

Some minutes lapsed and the Milan was about to treble. At 35′, Prati anticipated all,including Vavassori, by Combin’s cross, but he kicked header and went out by a whisker. The Bologna changed its attack action but Perani missed the goal of 1-2. Just two minutes before the end of the first half time, the Bologna shortened the distance. Rizzo crossed the ball and passed to Pace who header  passed to the defender Fedele’s feet. He was quickly and kicked a  very strong and unstoppable shot and scored at Belli’s shoulders.

At the second half time, the goal has thrilled the whole Bologna that it was over the moon!

At 52′, Pace  missed unbelievable an easy occasion to equalize.

At 56′, Savoldi scored but it was right annulled by his handball. All the Bologna attacked, led by Perani, Rizzo, Fedele and Bulgarelli.

At 60′, a Cresi’s pass to Bulgarelli’s captain was able to stand him in front of Belli. Giacomo kicked without much convinction, but the goal was returned by his Milan goalkeeper’s leg.

At 71′, Prati dribbled Battisodo and Vavassori and scored easily in the net. Yet, Vavassori, with a miracle save, was able to deflect the threat with his foot. Two minutes lapsed, Rizzo, with a backhanded shot passed to Perani, just few metres from the goal-line. Unfortunately, Marino held up just a bit letting Schnellinger to save with a half-back foul.

Finally, at 76′, the Bologna equalized! Pace crossed in the mid box  but Savoldi missed it sensationally. Yet,  Rizzo was ready to kick at his shoulders. Then, Rosato touched the ball with his hand, so he tricked its own goalkeeper Belli.

Two minutes lapsed and the Bologna revenged itself on the Red-black. Fedele passed an appealing ball to Savoldi in the mid box who scored, header, the goal to win. Scala was alone and failed the fourth goal in front of Belli that it  would have been  reinforced the result for the host.

The Red-blue fans burst into shouts of joy to their players who had revenged Liguori. The Milan lost mathematically the championship in Bologna.

Written by Lamberto Bertozzi   Translated by Sabrina Montebugnoli

The match score-sheet

Bologna vs Milan 3-2

Goals: Villa 6′, Villa 28′, Fedele 43′, Rosato (own goal) 76′, Savoldi 78′

Bologna: Vavassori, Roversi, Fedele (Scala 85′), Cresci, Battisodo, Gregori, Perani, Rizzo, Savoldi, Bulgarelli, Pace – Coach Fabbri Edmondo

Milan: Belli, Anquilletti, Rosato, Maldera III, Schnellinger, Biasiolo, Combin, Villa S., Benetti, Rivera (Casone 52′) , Prati – Coach Rocco

Referee: Toselli from Cormons

Legend photos

Opening: The Bologna team 1970-1971 – Up from the left to the right: Janich, Savoldi, Testa, Fedele, Aristei, Cresci, Vavassori, Bulgarelli, Ciacci, Roversi, Pace, Adani

Down from the left to the right: Liguori, Gregori, Ghetti, Di Carlo, Battisodo, Perani, Ardizzon, Scala, Vastola, Rizzo, Prini

On the side: The half-back Francesco Liguori

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