55 years ago, Bologna beat Slovan Nitra 3-0 to win the Mitropa Cup

Bologna’s first post-war international trophy won came on 4th April 1962 when Bernardini’s side claimed the new Mitropa Cup at the Stadio Comunale. The trophy was a descendant of the dear old Central European Cup. After getting past Sampdoria, Spartak Stalingrad (Bohemians) and FK Austria Wien during the group stage in the summer, the Rossoblu found themselves in a two-legged semi-final in the summer of 1961 against SK Kladno which they won 3-1 on aggregate. Bologna then progressed to the final against Czechoslovakian side Slovan Nitra. The first leg away in Slovakia ended in a 2-2 draw in the shadow of Mount Zobor. Nielsen scored from the penalty spot and Perani also found the net. Late afternoon in the afternoon on Wednesday in early spring, the Rossoblu added the trophy to their collection with a straightforward 3-0 victory. It was the club’s first piece of continental silverware since the Paris Exhibition Trophy of 1937.

Let’s relive the game from the perspective of Giulio C. Turrini who was published in ‘Stadio’ the following day:

The defeat to Inter, the incomplete Bologna side, the less than illustrious opposition, the fixture on a working day, the rain. All of this prevented the final chapter of the Mitropa Cup from being the occasion one would have hoped for. The only people there were those who were crazy for the old Bologna. Many of them must have been there 30 years ago for the Central European Cup fixtures of 1932 and 1934, sunning themselves as they saw their ‘lions’ against Admira, Ferencvaros and the other greats of central European football so the scepticism surrounding the opponent and other issues did not bother these fans. When Pavinato ran towards those in the stands with the old silver trophy bearing the names of past winners, he was met with sincere applause. Any minor criticisms were irrelevant at that point. Bologna had started the competition the previous summer and they had faced other Italian sides and some of the most prestigious opponents from Vienna and Bohemia. For many reasons, they were able to go through the tournament with a side that had been rotated a lot. They won the tournament. They deserved credit for this proud moment in the season. Slovan Nitra certainly showed their technical limitations on the international stage and this had already been noted in the first leg. The Slovak side was limited to organised and resolute defending with Gyurek dropping back from midfield and counting on Nielsen and Kisy while the central midfielder Starnik was left free. It was ‘half a system’ which did in fact manage to hinder the Rossoblu attack for some time.

Yet, it was evident that Bologna would get through sooner or later. When Demarco scored the opener, Slovan opened up in search of an equaliser which seemed more improbable than ever. It therefore became easy for Bologna to seal the result. Bernardini sent out a team with some regular starters. Four players (Santarelli, Capra, Janich and Bulgarelli) were injured even if the first three were hoping to be back in time for Sunday. Franzini was tied and they couldn’t ask Cervellatti to play three games in seven days. Bernardini was ready for this kind of match and the goalkeeper Cimpiele was chosen to start. The coach knew that the opposition could challenge Bologna right up until the end. The side that was put out turned out to be strong enough in the end. Bologna were able to dominate the entire match and attacks on Paolo Cimpiele’s goal were very rare.

4th April 1962, Final, second leg.
Bologna, Stadio Comunale

BOLOGNA-NITRA 3-0
BOLOGNA: Cimpiel, Lorenzini, Pavinato, Tumburus, Taverna, Fogli, Perani, Rossini, Nielsen, Demarco, Pascutti. Coach: Bernardini.
NITRA: Paduch, Istok, Putera, Konik, Stanik, Kisy, Dinga, Pucher, Bachraty, Gyurek, Hrncar. Coach: Bucko.

REFEREE: Zecevic (Yugoslavia).
GOALSCORERS: 21′ Demarco, 46′ Pascutti, 54′ Nielsen.