#OnThisDay: Bologna win their second Scudetto on 7th July 1929
After convincingly beating Juventus into second place in group B, Bologna went through to the title play-off where they met a Torino side who had been equally impressive in winning the league’s other division. A 3-1 victory in the first leg of the final – played on the 23rd June at Bologna’s newly opened Stadio Littoriale – left the Rossoblu with the advantage heading into the away leg. A week later, Bologna travelled to Turin and looked to keep it tight at the back in order to secure a draw but they conceded to Libonatti’s scorcher and ended up losing the game 1-0. Because only the results of the games – not the aggregate scoreline – counted towards calculating a winner, the loss in Turin meant that a play-off had to be arranged in Rome. Thanks to special trains organised by the club, thousands of red and blue-clad supporters headed to the capital and they packed the stadium under the watchful eye of Benito Mussolini.
Bologna, playing in green, set about implementing their trademark brand of quick, flowing football and Torino responded in kind with several high-quality moves of their own, but the match started to become a physical encounter as shown by referee Carraro’s decision to send off Pitto for serious foul play. The match could have got away from Bologna at this point but a nasty coming together between Martelli and Janni, leaving both men unconscious, meant that the referee issued two more red cards. Felsner was forced to bring Busini back into defensive midfield and Torino looked to make their numerical advantage count but a fine Bologna display was capped off by a brilliant run from Schiavio who set up Muzzioli to score the winning goal. Nevertheless, there was still time for another close shave. With less than two minutes to go, Franzoni’s cross reached Baloncieri in the area. The Granata marksman darted between Monzeglio and Gasperi but could only shoot over the bar, much to the relief of the Rossoblù supporters. Back in Bologna, people spilled out onto the street as the news filtered through that their club were champions of Italy for the second time.
7th July 1929, Final, Play-Off
Rome, Stadio del Partito Nazionale Fascista
BOLOGNA-TORINO 1-0
BOLOGNA: Gianni, Monzeglio, Gasperi, Genovesi, Baldi, Pitto, Martelli, Della Valle III, Schiavio, Busini III, Muzzioli. Coach: Felsner.
TORINO: Bosia, Monti III, Martin II, Martin III, Colombari, Janni, Vezzani, Baloncieri, Libonatti, Rossetti II, Franzoni. Coach: Cargnelli.
REFEREE: Carraro (Padua)
GOALSCORERS: 82′ Muzzioli.
