Anecdote of the day, since we're all waiting with anticipation for the Milanese derby.
In the October 6th 1957 derby, that is nearly one Padovano life ago, Milan were awarded a penalty following a Giorgio Bernardin foul on Milan wizard Pepe Schiaffino.
Not to break the tradition, all the Interisti promptly rushed at referee Concetto Lo Bello (father of the infamous Rosario Lo Bello), protesting vehemently and prolongedly against the decision.
All but one, who was none other than their star forward Benito "Poison" Lorenzi, also known for squeezing defenders' testicles while jumping for the header.
Or for being red-carded in the WC 1954 game between Italy and hosts Switzerland, after he kicked the referee in the ass.
Or for punching his own team-mate Nyers who had just missed a goal, only for the latter to chase Lorenzi around the field for retribution after finally scoring later in the game.
Or for revealing to John Charles that Queen Elisabeth might have been a member of the world's oldest profession (to which Charles replied : "she's not my Queen : Im Welsh").
Yes, gobbi : that Benito Lorenzi. An otherwise devout catholic who once commented to Milan archbishop Carlo Maria Martini that "it's my body on the field that commits the sin : my catholic spirit stays in the changing-room".
That Benito Lorenzi who, contrary to what one might believe, was named "Benito" by his grandfather only as an ironic hommage to the Duce, after the fascists had forced him to close his bakery.
So on that 125th derby della Madonnina of a beautiful 1957 early autumn day, while his teammates were encircling referee Lo Bello, Benito Lorenzi quietly approached the penalty spot, where the ball had already been positioned. He then proceeded to kneel down next to the ball, in an apparent attempt to tie his shoe.
What came next is of course the stuff of a calcio that has sadly long disappeared.
Indeed, it so happened that Benito Lorenzi had just been given a piece of lemon to suck on by the team's masseur. And of course it just so happened that he had the ingenuous idea of placing said piece of fresh fruit under the ball while no one was looking. Which, still just as incidentally, proved to be enough for the aptly named Tito Cucchiaroni to send his shot six meters wide.
The final result of the derby was Inter 1 Milan 0.
As the two teams were heading to the changing-rooms after the final whistle, Inter's Mauro Bicicli, who had just been informed of Lorenzi's prowess, found it remarkable enough to immediately share it with Cucchiaroni. A general brawl ensued, one that must have made even Benito Poison Lorenzi regret, as the following Sunday at church he confessed to the priest that he "had been disloyal". The answer of the priest, a fervent Interista, was a resounding laugh.