He returned to Italy and Rome there to make his attempt on the Duce's life on 11 September 1926. An unsuspecting countryman of his, Lina Squassoni who lived in Aubagne near Marseilles, lent him the money for the trip. He loitered near the Porta Pia waiting for the Duce to pass by: when the famous Lancia carrying Benito Mussolini drew near, Lucetti hurled a bomb (of the SIDE type) which smashed against the windscreen. However, it failed to detonate, bounced onto the running board and only exploded when it was some metres away on the pavement. In the ensuing confusion, Lucetti sheltered in the doorway at No. 13, Via Nomentana, but the Duce's police bodyguards soon caught up with him. Kicking and punching him, they found him in possession of a second bomb of the same make, a handgun with six dumdum bullets poisoned with muriatic acid, and a dagger (he had certainly come prepared!).