1982-83: The long and winding road to Serie A

The previous year had been a terrible one. Lazio had started as one of the favourites for promotion but instead needed a Vincenzo D’Amico hat trick in the final home game to avoid risking relegation. Manager Ilario Castagner had been sacked half way through and was replaced by Roberto Clagluna.

In 1982 Italy won the World Cup in Spain and the Federation decided to cut two years suspension off all players involved in the Totonero scandal that had been suspended in 1980. That meant that Bruno Giordano and Lionello Manfredonia could return.

This was a massive boost to all the Biancoceleste environment. Despite not having much money, the team acquired two of the best players in Italy (and in Europe). They said they were going to stay at Lazio because they had promised themselves that they would help the club go back to Serie A.

Alongside the two champs, the club signed a number of players:

• Fernando Orsi, former Roma Primavera player, arrived to be second goalkeeper, He had been playing for Parma in Serie C1 for the past two years and was a Biancoceleste fan.

• Carlo Perrone, another former Lazio Primavera sweeper, returned to the right side of the Tiber after a disappointing year with Roma on loan.

• Gabriele Podavini was an interesting right back. He had played for Brescia for the past six years, one of which in Serie A.

• Marco Saltarelli played with Lodigiani the previous season in the fifth tier. He came as an alternative at left-back.

• Roberto Tavola, midfielder, came on loan from Juventus. He had a lot of experience, having played for Cagliari and Atalanta. Never found a decent amount of playing time with the Bianconeri, it was hoped that he would bring some extra quality to Lazio’s midfield.

• Enrico Vella, midfield player, was an important signing for Lazio since he was a player who already knew what Serie B was all about. He played at Catania in the second tier in 1981-82.

• Claudio Ambu, former Inter and Ascoli player, came to give Giordano a hand up front. The previous season he was at Perugia in Serie B

• Stefano Chiodi, former Milan star where he won a scudetto, came back to Lazio after missing a decisive penalty two years ago, which denied the Biancocelesti promotion to Serie A. He was loaned to Bologna last year.

Leaving Lazio were:

• Felice Pulici, historic Lazio goalkeeper of the 1974 scudetto, he had come back to play his last year as a professional. He retired after 204 appearances for Lazio.

• Dario Marigo had become a regular first team player in the 1980-81 season when goalkeeper Maurizio Moscatelli broke his Achilles tendon and after his replacement Aldo Nardin was put onto the bench due to poor performances. Marigo had started the 1981-82 season as main goalkeeper but when Pulici returned he lost his place in the team. Now that Moscatelli was back, Marigo was sent on loan to Perugia so that he could have a decent amount of playing time. He had 36 appearances with Lazio so far.

• Giorgio Mastropasqua, the experienced defender, left after two years and 78 appearances (five goals). He would play for Catania.

• Vincenzo Mirra, former Primavera defender, last year played eight league games with one goal. He was sold to Empoli.

• Dario Pighin, defender, had been at Lazio since 1976 and had appeared in 100 games. The returns of Manfredonia meant that it was time for him to go. He was sold to Taranto in Serie C1.

• Alberto Bigon, another experienced player, was towards the end of his long and successful career. He left Lazio for Vicenza after two years, 65 appearances and 13 goals.

• Dario Sanguin: signed just before Lazio were relegated for the Totonero Scandal of 1980. He was considered to be a young and promising midfield player. He did not really fulfil those promises and he was sold to Perugia after 65 appearances and two goals with Lazio.

• Fernando Viola arrived at Lazio very young in the 1976-77 season. After one season he was sent on loan to Bologna for a year but had then stayed at Lazio ever since. The classy midfielder was the player who had given Lazio's game some quality in the last two years of Serie B. He was surprisingly sold to Genoa after 141 appearances and 12 goals for Lazio.

• Renzo Garlaschelli, another Lazio 1974 scudetto hero, played very little the previous and his time at Lazio was over. After 279 appearances and 67 goals, he had decided to move closer to home and would play for Pavia in Serie C2.

• Walter Speggiorin’s season with Lazio last year was just plain awful. Despite scoring probably one of the club’s most spectacular goals in their history, he just was not good enough. The experienced centre-forward was past his prime and joined Massese in Serie C2. In 1981-82 he played 24 games with two goals.

July

Lazio did their pre-season training at Sarentino near Bolzano from July 25 to August 13.

On July 31 the official decision from the Italian Football Federation: all players that were still suspended had two years cut off their suspension. This meant that Giordano and Manfredonia were immediately available to play while Massimo Cacciatori still had to wait another 11 months. Pino Wilson could have come back to play but he decided to retire.

Great joy for all the Lazio fans including President Gian Casoni. Understandably!!!

August

The first pre-season friendly took place against Sarentino on August 1 and predictably the Biancocelesti won and scored a lot. Contributions for the 15-1 came from Chiodi (6 goals), Giordano (4), Stefano Ferretti (2), and one a piece for Manfredonia, Podavini and Claudio Vagheggi.

The second outing was with Trento who would participate in Serie C1. They won 2-1 thanks to an own-goal and Giordano.

A lot more complicated the game against Verona three days later. Faced with a Serie A team, the Biancocelesti scored early with Vagheggi and played very well the entire match. Only with 12 minutes to the end did Verona find an equaliser thanks to a very generous penalty which Moscatelli had even managed to parry, but Dirceu managed to score on the rebound.

On August 13 the Serie B test. Lazio went to San Benedetto del Tronto against the local team who would be playing against the Biancocelesti in Serie B. Giordano scored on penalty and Lazio won. It was a real match, neither team played as if it was a friendly.

Lazio were ready for the Coppa Italia. The Biancocelesti were in Group 3 with Napoli and Avellino (Serie A), Perugia and Atalanta (Serie B) plus Salernitana in Serie C1.

Unfortunately, Manfredonia could not play due to a previous suspension, so Lazio Perugia, played at a packed Stadio Flaminio on August 18, saw only Giordano come back to play an official game after the dreaded Pescara Lazio of 1980.

And the start was awful. The Biancocelesti went under 2-0 after an hour, but then managed to win the game thanks to goals from Giordano, Michele De Nadai and Podavini. Great excitement, great optimism all round, but a few cracks had begun to appear. In the other games, Napoli won at Salerno and Avellino drew in Bergamo.

And the first difficulty arrived in the game away to Avellino on August 22. A Moscatelli blunder had been partially re-solved with a Vincenzo Chiarenza goal but then another defensive mistake cost Lazio the game. One could see that Lazio did not have much of a game plan and that everything was a bit casual. Against a Serie A team, the Biancocelesti showed their limits especially in defence. The other two games, Atalanta-Salernitana and Perugia-Napoli, ended goalless. The table read Napoli and Avellino 3 points, Lazio and Atalanta 2, Perugia 1, Salernitana 0.

Before the game against Atalanta at home, Lazio played a friendly at Frosinone on August 26 winning 3-0 thanks to a Giordano brace and De Nadai. The Biancocelesti still showed difficulty in creating and it took them 30 minutes to score the first goal against a Serie C2 club.

All the current difficulties translated in a 0-0 at home with Atalanta on August 29. Without D’Amico who got injured in the friendly three days earlier, there was no imagination. They did create chances but the Atalanta fort held out well. In the other games, Napoli beat Avellino and Perugia and Salernitana ended in a draw. Table now read: Napoli 5 points, Lazio, Avellino and Atalanta 3, Perugia 2, Salernitana 1.

September

On the first day of the month Lazio played Napoli. Another bad day in the office for Moscatelli and the defence with Ramon Diaz scoring a brace. Giordano had managed to equalise but he was preaching in the desert. Quality wise, the Biancocelesti were certainly not up to par with Serie A teams, but would this be enough to go back to Serie A? In the other games Avellino won in Salerno, Atalanta-Perugia was goalless. Napoli had 7 points, Avellino 5, Atalanta 4, Lazio and Perugia 3, Salernitana 1. Avellino just needed one point to go through with Napoli, the Biancocelesti were virtually out of the Coppa Italia.

Final game at Salerno on September 5. Lazio went 2-0 up thanks to Ambu and D’Amico but in the second half they fell asleep and let Salernitana equalise thanks to two penalties. Giordano with 6 minutes left in the match gave Lazio a win which in the end was not that important as far as qualification was concerned, but good for the morale. Avellino drew at Perugia and joined Napoli, who beat Atalanta, for the round of 16.

Now there was Serie A to conquer.

First game on September 12 against Campobasso. Lazio faced a harsh reality: Serie B was not going to be easy. Scarce opportunities, Giordano well marked, no playmaker. The Biancocelesti, as they had shown in the previous games, had a problem creating. The goalless draw was an obvious consequence.

Seven days later same script: another 0-0 at Como. This time Lazio suffered a little bit in the second half, but still had problems in creating chances.

On September 26, game three, draw three. Monza went ahead early in the first half and Lazio managed to equalise in the second thanks to a Giordano penalty despite being in ten men due to Chiarenza being sent off for a retaliatory foul. Another Moscatelli error for the first goal.

Lazio seventh on three points midtable. Not the start one could have expected.

October

During the week the club bought Renato Miele, former Lazio Primavera defender, who had played the last three years in Serie B with Pisa, Spal and Catania.

For the game against Sambenedettese on October 3, out went Moscatelli, Chiarenza, Perrone and Paolo Pochesci, in came Orsi, Saltarelli and Miele with Manfredonia put as sweeper. A big change for Roberto Clagluna, who was already rumoured to be going in case of defeat. Lazio managed to win thanks to a Manfredonia goal and there was again room for optimism.

But the problems returned against Cremonese seven days later. Still difficulties in creating but at least this time they managed to win thanks to a second half Giordano penalty.

On October 17 the big match at Bologna. Giordano scored in the first half and Lazio played much better. But the Rossoblu overturned the result in the second 45 minutes with a penalty and a Claudio Sclosa massive whack on a free kick four minutes from time. A first defeat for the Biancocelesti and Clagluna again in trouble.

The resurrection, that is decent game and win, came seven days later against Perugia. Again, Manfredonia and a splendid Giordano goal gave Lazio a well-deserved win. Finally, a good game with Lionello moved to midfield and Perrone back as sweeper.

Three players left in the last days of the autumn transfer window: Chiarenza, who had arrived the previous season and had been one of the most positive players with 41 appearances, was loaned to Udinese; Ferretti was sold to Spal; Vagheggi left for Naples. Three strange departures since they had been some of the better players last year especially Vagheggi.

On the last day of the month the Biancocelesti played at Bari and won 3-0. Three goals in the second half thanks to De Nadai, Ambu and again Giordano, with the local fans applauding Lazio for how well they had played. A brilliant game.

Lazio was now third, two points behind leaders Milan and one from Arezzo.

November

On November 7 came the third consecutive win at home against Palermo. The match was resolved early with a Manfredonia goal and a solid defensive game despite losing Miele due to injury after five minutes. Milan lost at home with Cavese and the Biancocelesti joined them at the top of the table.

A second consecutive home game followed and Lazio destroyed Lecce 3-0 thanks to a Giordano penalty and an Ambu brace. The Apulians played in ten men for an hour but had the opportunity to open the game on 2-0 with a penalty. But Orsi saved it and Lazio scored their third.

Four consecutive wins but now there were two away games at Foggia and Pistoia.

A very difficult match in Puglia but Lazio managed to score early thanks to an own goal. The Biancocelesti were forced to defend for the remaining match as Foggia sieged the Lazio goal, hit the woodwork twice and missed other chances. Giordano with five minutes to the end of the game on the counterattack managed to score ending all hopes of the home side. With Cremonese stopping Milan, Lazio were now top of the table alone.

A mass of Lazio fans moved to Pistoia on November 28 in the hope that their team would make it six wins on the trot. The Biancocelesti scored early with Vella and then defended for the rest of the game with Orsi making miracles and D’Amico saving a goal on the line. Lazio brought back the two points, remained top and Orsi had been unbeaten now for 544 minutes.

December

On December 5 Lazio played at home with Varese. After a post hit by D’Amico in the first half and numerous wasted chances, the Biancocelesti scored two in the second thanks to an own goal and Giordano, and made it seven consecutive wins. More importantly, Milan lost at Como so now Lazio had a three-point lead over the Rossoneri. Orsi unbeaten now for 634 minutes.

Seven days later the Biancocelesti went to Reggio Emilia to play against Reggiana. Followed by many fans hoping for victory number 8, Lazio were forced to play a very defensive match with Giordano weak with flu. The Biancocelesti in great difficulty for the entire game, managed to hold the 0-0 mainly thanks to Orsi who saved everything humanly possible. One of the most impressive performances of a Lazio goalkeeper of all time. And his record grew to 724 minutes without conceding. Milan beat Palermo and were now two points behind.

On December 12 the big match, Lazio Milan. Packed house. The media considered it a Serie A game since it was so obvious, so far, that the two teams were the favourites to return to Serie A. But there was a precedent: in the 1980-81 season the Biancocelesti were top of the table and in the first fixture of the 1981 had to face Milan at home. It was the big match of Serie B. Milan dominated and won 2-0. The Biancocelesti went into a crisis from then on and missed out on promotion. How would it go this time?

Orsi’s record lasted just another 9 minutes as Oscar Damiani made it 1-0. Giordano equalised at the end of the first half on a magnificent free kick under the Curva Nord, but again Damiani made it 2-1 early in the second. Milan played well, showed better skills, organisation and play than Lazio, a little bit like back in 1981. But Lazio managed to equalise with D’Amico with one minute left in the match and keep the lead in Serie B. It was important not to lose this game, but just like two years earlier the Rossoneri demonstrated to be superior to the Biancocelesti. Now it was up to the old guard to continue head down and concentrate on their own game.

January

First game of the year on January 2 at Bergamo. Never easy playing there for Lazio despite Atalanta not being is such a great position as far as the table is concerned. A difficult match with the Biancocelesti going under in the second half but immediately responding thanks to Podavini. Milan just one point behind now.

Against Arezzo a week later Lazio played much better than in the previous games and won comfortably 2-0 thanks to D’Amico and Vella. Giordano could also had got a goal had the ref given at least one of the blatant penalties that he ignored. But anyway, Milan two points away again.

Next up was an away match at Catania. Another difficult game on a terrible pitch. Lazio went for the draw but managed to score thanks to one of Giordano’s best goals. A fantastic curved shot that has gone down in the history books. The hosts, thanks also to Manfredonia being sent off, managed to score late in the game on a penalty.

The last game for this first half of the season was at home against Cavese who were third and playing very well. Without Manfredonia, Lazio suffered and went under but reacted and managed to equalise thanks to Vella. Milan won and were a point away.

At the end of the month Lazio fell at Campobasso. They did not play well, probably underestimated the match, and deservedly lost. Milan drew and the two teams were now together at the top of the table on 28 points with Cavese third on 26, Como 25, Catania and Cremonese 24, Arezzo 23.

February

Lazio’s difficulties continued in their next game played at home against Como. The visitors were superior and probably deserved to win. Giordano scored early, Como equalised a few minutes later and then went 2-1 mid first half. Fortunately, Saint Vella gave the Biancocelesti the draw. But he could do nothing seven days later at Monza. The locals, last, dominated and deserved to win which they did 2-0. Lazio in a crisis lost the lead, overtaken by Milan, with Catania, Como and Cavese just two points behind. What looked to be an easy promotion was now very difficult. And made even more complicated in the next match on February 27 at home against Sambenedettese. Ahead thanks to a Giordano penalty in the first half, the visitors equalised in the dying seconds due to a Perrone mistake. Furthermore, Maurizio Montesi fractured his leg during the game and his season was over (and probably his career). The Biancocelesti were already without De Nadai injured and midfield players were becoming scarce. The top of the table read: Milan 31 points, Lazio 30, Cremonese and Cavese 28, Catania and Como 27, Arezzo 25.

March

And when all seem to precipitate, Giordano in the 88th minute of the match away to Cremona on March 6, scored giving Lazio a very precious win. In defence for most of the game, the Biancoceleste centre forward on a free kick gave Lazio two vital points.

The win however did not solve the problems. Seven days later at the Olimpico with Bologna they displayed the usual problems and Lazio did go under in the second half but it took the Biancocelesti just one minute to equalise thanks to youngster Leonardo Surro.

On March 20, thousands of fans moved to Perugia. Always very difficult in Umbria where Lazio had not scored since 1969. And it looked as if they were not going to this time either. The locals scored early and could have been 2 up on a number of occasions. Lazio however attacked, hit a double post with one shot with Giordano and deserved the draw. Which came in the dying seconds thanks to Vella. Milan had in the meantime moved off and had a three-point lead over the Biancocelesti.

In the last game of the month Lazio played at home against Bari and yet again Surro came to the rescue this time scoring the winning goal two minutes from time. All that mattered was the result and the five-point lead over fourth placed Como. Would it be enough?

April

First three games of the month. Two away, Palermo and Lecce, and one at home Foggia. Identical results, 0-0, identical problems. A complete lack of any indication of a game plan. Clagluna relied way to heavily on a Giordano or D’Amico’s invention and when this did not come, the players literally did not know what to do with the ball. Fortunately, behind not much was happening and despite these very poor results, Lazio still held second place and still had a four-point lead over fourth place, this time occupied by Cavese. There was a desperate need to turn things around but on April 24 came a home defeat, the first of the season, against Pistoiese. The visitors went ahead, Giordano missed a penalty but Manfredonia managed to equalise. It looked like once more Lazio could salvage the result but the Tuscans scored again and the Biancocelesti were in trouble. The table read: Milan 42 points, Lazio 39, Como 37, Cremonese 36, Catania and Cavese 35. There was still room for optimism but the Biancocelesti really needed to pick their socks up and get as many points as possible. There were still seven games left in the season.

May

But things got even worse. On May 1 at Varese Lazio deservedly lost despite going ahead with D’Amico. Another bad game. Clagluna’s job was on the line as Lazio’s promotion hopes were on a thread since the lack of reaction from the team was evident. The next game at home against Reggiana was fundamental.

On May 8 came a day of reckoning. Giordano scored early but Reggiana equalised four minutes later. In the second half Giordano scored again, but the 2-1 lasted just three minutes this time. Bruno-gol scored a third time on penalty and it looked as things were doing OK, but the team were petrified with the fear of not winning and when this happens usually you do not win. Reggiana equalised five minutes from time and it was doom for Lazio. As the fans went home, they saw the Roma supporters celebrating the scudetto. Not a happy moment to say the least.

Five matches left, Milan were on 45 points, Lazio on 40, Cremonese 39, Catania, Como and Cavese on 38. President Casoni realised that there was need to give a spark to the team and so he sacked Clagluna calling in former player and Primavera manager Giancarlo Morrone in the hope that this would create a reaction. It did not. Lazio collapsed 5-1 in Milan and now the race for promotion became ever so difficult. Four games left, Milan on 47, Catania, Lazio, Como, Cremonese and Cavese on 40, Como 38.

It was a tough week for Morrone who tried to pick up the broken pieces of glass to fix everything together again. And then something happened.

President Casoni on Saturday May 21 announced that he was approached by people linked to Giorgio Chinaglia for the purchase of the club. Chinaglia was the hero of the 1973-74 scudetto, the most vocal leader and centre-forward who had left to join New York Cosmos in 1976. He was very famous in the US and had made a little fortune.

On the Sunday fans woke up with heavy hearts. The game against Atalanta was a must win. But think of the surprise on their faces when they went to read the newspapers and discovered that Chinaglia wanted to buy Lazio. This could have been the spark that was needed. 55,000 fans turned up at the stadium. There was a new enthusiasm.

Lazio scored almost immediately with veteran Roberto Badiani but the visitors equalised shortly after. Then a D’Amico free kick took the Biancocelesti ahead again. Lazio managed to win and were now second again on 42 points, Catania and Cremonese 41, Come and Cavese 40.

As the negotiation between Chinaglia and Casoni continued, the Biancocelesti on May 29 went to Arezzo. A biblical exodus from Rome as thousands of Lazio supporters decided to take the brief drive to Umbria in the hope of a win. Despite the fact that the stadium was almost entirely made up of Roman fans, Morrone decided that he did not need to overdo it and caution prevailed. The game ended goalless but unfortunately Catania won so the table now read Milan 51 and promoted, Catania and Lazio 43, Cremonese 42, Como and Cavese 41. And next up was Lazio Catania.

This game was the decider. Whoever won was virtually promoted.

June

Sunday June 5. The stadium was packed with Curva Sud completely full of Sicilian fans. It was very, very hot, 37 degrees centigrade. This was the game of the season for both teams.

The early stages were tense and scrappy. The heat and the importance of the match sapping lucidity out of both teams. There was more excitement in the stands than on the field until the 12th minute. Ambu flew out of a double challenge by Mastropasqua and Claudio Ranieri and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Giordano struck a powerful central shot to put Lazio in front. Lazio 1 Catania 0

Catania responded well and pegged Lazio in defence. They equalised in the 27th minute. D'Amico was dispossessed by Ennio Mastalli, the ball went to Aldo Cantarutti who back-heeled it to Mastalli again, his assist reached Angelo Crialesi who took it forward and beat Orsi coming off his line. All square, Lazio 1 Catania 1.

The game was balanced although Catania were more harmonious as a team while Lazio were more technical. It was stop-start with a lot of fouls, the bad blood after the controversial away game in Catania not helping (some journalists at the time compared it to a rugby match). Just before halftime the visitors went close to taking the lead when a Pier Giuseppe Mosti header was blocked by Vella. Half time 1-1.

In the second half the oppressive heat and tension still reigned. Catania however went extremely close again in the 55th minute when a Mosti header hit the crossbar. Lazio then replaced Manfredonia with the fresher legs of young Giancarlo Marini.

Catania seemed to be on top but in the 65th minute came the lucky break and it fell to Lazio. Podavini won a fifty-fifty ball and tried his luck from outside the area, his low shot took a deflection off Mastropasqua and beat Roberto Sorrentino. Lazio 2 Catania 1. Curiously it was not Mastropasqua's first own goal in Lazio's favour. Ten years earlier while playing for Ternana he had put the ball in his own net giving Lazio an away 1-0 win in Umbria.

The pandemonium that broke out among the Lazio fans combined with the horrific heat meant many fans had to be assisted by medical staff.

The game went on and Catania, maybe used to volcanic heat, had more energy. In the 71st minute the Sicilians struck the crossbar again and in the 87th minute Orsi saved a venomous Cantarutti free kick into corner. Lazio were groggy and on the ropes, desperately holding on by any means possible (yes also by blatantly wasting time, we are in Italy after all). Finally, Menicucci blew up and Lazio could celebrate with the little energy left, players and fans alike.

The table read Lazio 45 points, Cremonese 44, Catania and Como 43, Cavese 41 and out of contention. Lazio needed just one more point and the next game was away to Cavese.

On June 12 a Cava de’ Tirreni the Biancocelesti scored early with Miele, finally able to put the ball in the right net after three own goals, but Cavese equalised towards the end of the first half. With Vella and D’Amico playing a marvellous game, the Biancocelesti wanted to win but the hosts wanted to end the very good season without losing. In the second 45 minutes Lazio cruised and scored with young Marini but a penalty four minutes from time secured the 2-2. At that point both teams slowed down and just waited to the end.

Lazio were back in Serie A. After three terrible years following the unjust relegation for the Totonero scandal, the missed opportunity with the Stefano Chiodi penalty error that left us in Serie B two years earlier, a dismal performance the previous season when the Biancocelesti almost risked going down to Serie C, finally Lazio was back in the big time. And with Chinaglia president, there was a feeling of a new beginning which could be glorious.

A final note on that season.

In order to celebrate, Lazio organised a friendly against Ajax on June 17. Apart from Giordano scoring three incredible goals, the match was important because Italians were introduced for the very first time to a young Dutch centre-forward, his name was Marco Van Basten.