EUROPEAN CUP TO FERENCVÁROS
— Vittorio Pozzo | 25/10/1937, Rome —


LAZIO: Provera; Zaccone, Monza; Baldo, Viani, Milano; Busani, Marchini, Piola, Camolese, Costa.

FERENCVÁROS: Háda; Tátrai, Korányi; Magda, Polgár, Lázár; Táncos, Kiss, Sárosi, Toldi, Kemény.

REFEREE: Wüthrich(Switzerland).

GOALS: Costa, Sárosi, Sárosi, Piola, Piola, Busani, Toldi, Kiss, Sárosi.


Thinking about this final with many goals, we are in doubt whether to conclude that the victory was due to the Hungarians for their greater experience or if it escaped the Lazio players due to mere bad luck. Both the one and the other coefficient have undoubtedly weighed on the final result. Ferencváros had the most line throughout the fight and, also favored by the circumstances that led the opponent to be very daring, followed the best tactic; but Lazio has had success practically in their hands on more than one occasion and has always let it slip away in a surprising way.

It was one of the most exciting and thrilling battles. Nothing failed to make the course of the meeting lively, not even the offensive of bad weather, which the talk took place in part under the raging of a real downpour: moments of calm followed by long gusts of pouring rain, violent which, if they did not spoil the ground excessively, made even visibility difficult.

Five minutes from kick-off hadn't passed since Lazio had already scored. A nice deep passage from Camolese to Costa and the Roman left winger went away by himself and beat Háda with a shot at half height, between the upright and the right hand of the goalkeeper outstretched. But two minutes later the balance of the score was restored. A high and very long throw from a Hungarian defender sends the ball towards the back side of the Lazio half. It was enough not to move and let it be done, that nobody could reach the ball, when Monza fell on Sárosi and landed him with a bump that was not a trip, also considering the attitude of the Hungarian. The referee immediately decrees the penalty among the trinacious protests of the Lazio players and the public; Sárosi shots and scores easily.

THE FLUCTUATIONS OF LAZIO

First proof of how the Lazio eleven is easily in the penalty area and scores a second point, all good this time. Action of two men alone: Sárosi and Táncos. The centre-forward passes to the right winger; this promptly returns to Sárosi and the ball, due to a precise and strong, not unstoppable, touch of the captain of the Magyars, ends up in the net.

Good situation, to which Lazio, when it can be resumed and reorganized, responds in a superior way to all hope. From 19th to the 35th minute the gap is overcome and the Hungarians are distanced first by one and then by two lengths. A prolonged and overwhelming offensive, in which the Magyar defense does not know which way to turn. Piola, Busani or Piola are the men who put the three balls in the net. But the entire frontline participated in this irresistible boarding. For the local team to launch it fully, now, there would be now only to live on the position, which in itself appears to be improved, and to beware of surprises, given that the situation with the Budapest score is restored and at the most they will have to play a match. decisive in the neutral field. But here's the setback.

Minutes from half time, the Hungarians move to the rescue, catch the Roman defense and, on an action that does not contain anything special in itself — a pass from Sárosi to Toldi and a shot — they score and reduce the disadvantage.

With four goals to three we move on to the second half.

PENALTY, PIVOTAL POINT OF THE MATCH

For long minutes, for more than a quarter of an hour, Lazio dominated and Ferencváros did nothing but defend. One goal would be enough to return to save the situation for Lazio. Here the opportunity presents itself just before the middle of the time: a penalty for a moni with the casual appearance of a Hungarian defender. Crucial moment of the meeting. Piola shoots and hits the goalkeeper. The ball ends up far away. Shouts of disdetta from the audience. Collapse in the Lazio team.

This miss of the penalty kick is a bit of a pivot to the progress and outcome of the game. From this moment on, Ferencváros takes up a new heart and Lazio play as in the throes of great excitement. Shortly after the half hour, on a corner in favor of the guests, Kiss scores by deflecting the ball into the net from two steps. And, shortly before the end, Sárosi puts the final touch on a masterful match, surprising the entire Lazio defense with a half overhead kick goal that the complicity of the pole makes it deviate to the opposite side. Lazio returns to dominate, insists, rages, but they don't pass anymore.

Thus the European Cup, the source of many headaches, passes to Ferencvaros. Lazio, this Cup, saw it close at hand, then lost sight of it to redistinguish it with the naked eye and finally see it vanish in the humidity of the day. Lazio is a good team, but with a not very feral character. They play well, but they are emotional, they do not have that calm control of their nerves which is the priority and substance of the domination of difficult situations. It has no blockade defensive system and becomes vulnerable just when victory is glimpsed. Yesterday, caught in the whirlwind of the match, she was overwhelmed when she was winning. And never before has success been the merchandise of the calmer, more cautious and more thoughtful team; never ceime yesterday we had the opportunity to touch firsthand the immeasurable value of coldness, prudence, the sense of trade in a game that, apparently, is all momentum or impulse.

In this respect, Ferencváros is the most experienced team; so much so that they almost ended up not giving up on winning there where they should have lost. No doubt more that Hungarian football is on the upswing after seeing this team at work. Wide, spacious, deep game with a technical substratum that has its best exponents in Sárosi and Lázár. A team that knew how to take advantage, with insight and promptness, of the situation that led the opponent to attack and uncover, and of the weakness of a defense that sometimes possesses the specialty of uncovering.

Strong match and walking on the brink of accidents, without falling into the abyss. Large audience despite the bad weather.

In the tribune of honor was S. E. Starace, Minister Searetario of the Party, the Undersecretaries Medici del Vascello, Host Venturi and Valle, the Administrative Secretary of P. N. F. Marinelli, Vittorio Mussolini, General Vaccaro.

S. E. Starace at the end of the match called the captains of the two teams to the stands and handed the Cup to Sárosi.