Paris 1937: Final, Bologna 4-1 Chelsea

BOLOGNA: Ceresoli; Fiorini, Gasperi; Montesanto, Andreolo, Corsi; Busoni, Sansone, Schiavio, Fedullo, Reguzzoni.

CHELSEA: Jackson; Barkas, Barber, Mitchell, Craig, Weaver, Spence, Argue, Bambrick, Gibson, Reid.

REFEEE Leclercq (France)

SCORERS: 14′ Reguzzoni (B), 20′ Busoni (B), 30′ Reguzzoni (B), 72′ Reguzzoni (B), 78′ Weaver (C).

From Le Figaro, 7th June 1937 

The favourites from day one Bologna have won the Paris Exhibition Trophy. They beat Chelsea 4-1 yesterday in Colombes as the Italians took the trophy. Before the match, three-quarters wouldn’t have backed Bologna after Chelsea were put on a pedestal after beating Austria Vienna on Thursday that perhaps the British side were not worthy of. That’s not to minimise the triumph of the Italians. As against Sochaux eight days ago, Bologna imposed themselves physically and with their ferocious desire to win but they also showed a sense of security which hindered the British side. Bologna gave a great demonstration of what was expected of them and it would be foolish to doubt the quality of this team or Italian football.

In this regard, there has been a tendency on this side of the Alps to doubt Italian footballers. Before the match, the Sochaux goalkeeper Di Lorto who faced Bologna the Sunday before told me “I don’t believe that this is the real strength of Bologna. Sunday’s win was because Sochaux played very badly.” Was Di Lorto made to realise his error minutes later? How many directors and football experts thought like he did and were really convinced of this? The match between France and Italy will be at the start of the next season. Yesterday’s result showed what we suspected of Italian football but it was much more physical than we expected. To take on these athletes, will we find a French side who are competitive on their level? It will be necessary to take to the pitch with fast, strong and athletic players. Quality is what we have been searching for for years in our national team and France vs. Italy seems as though it will be a very difficult match.

The first ten minutes saw the English look brilliant and inspired but their opponents were able to organise themselves and take control. Faster and more determined, the Italians completely imposed themselves. A mistake from the full-back Barkas allowed Reguzzoni to open the scoring. Six minutes later and Busoni had scored the second goal. Before the break, Reguzzoni added a third. In the second half, Bologna relaxed as they were three goals up. The English took advantage by regaining control of the match but they found themselves against Bologna’s solid difference as Ceresoli and Gasperi were particularly distinguished.  The Italians then scored another through Reguzzoni. Before the end, Chelsea restored some honour with a goal thanks to some good individual play from Weaver. Bologna’s best players were Ceresoli, Reguzzoni, Sansone, Andreolo and Fedullo and it’s noted that three of these players are from South America. Chelsea really disappointed. Only Argue and Weaver looked really determined. The others made obvious mistakes that we are not used to seeing from British sides.

Thanks to Archivio Timf- Historic research on Bologna