This Week in Lazio History, 20-26 July: Matches and Luigi Vettraino | OneFootball

The week of 20-26 July has served up friendlies, comebacks and milestones in Lazio history, plus a salute to Luigi Vettraino. According to The Laziali, these dates carry standout results and cherished memories.

On 20 July 2014 in Auronzo di Cadore, Lazio beat Indonesia U23 2-0 in a friendly that also brought a missed penalty and three efforts against the frame. On 21 July 2007 in Lebring, they defeated West Ham 2-0 in the teams’ first meeting, Stendardo and Pandev scoring.

At the Olimpico on 23 July 2020, Milinkovic and Immobile overturned Simeone’s opener as Lazio beat Cagliari 2-1 to keep the Champions League dream within reach. On 25 July 2000 in Vaduz, they drew 0-0 with Bayer Leverkusen despite absences and scant training. Then on 26 July 2020 in Verona, Immobile’s hat-trick led a 5-1 win that inched him closer to the European Golden Boot.

In July 1932, manager Karl Strumer formed the Microbes, under-14s born in 1920 and 1921 who trained twice weekly with tactical and behavioural lessons and soon won around Italy. They drew Wacker in Vienna on 11 June 1933 in a 40-minute match before 45,000 attending the Wunderteam against Romania, leaving to rapturous acclaim.

Among them was the smallest, Luigi Vettraino, nicknamed Squirrel, then only 1.34 metres. Born on 21 September 1920 in Rome, he later reached 1.60 metres, partnered Silvio Piola and shone for pace, imagination, dribbling and acrobatic power.

A severe infection in 1941 forced him to stop playing, ending his career at 26. He made 71 appearances and scored 18 for Lazio, died in Rome on 25 July 1998, and was probably one of their greats who might have soared without such misfortune.

Birthdays this week include Umberto Lenzini, Bob Lovati, Alfredo Cella I, Corrado Giubilo, Vincenzo Zucchini, Jordan Lukaku, Giuseppe Bigogno, Alessandro Grandoni, Giancarlo Oddi and Igli Tare, among others.

Source: The Laziali