April 26, 1981: Lazio Genoa 2-2
- Lazio Stories
- Apr 26
- 10 min read
Difficult draw
Greco scored a brace to allow Lazio to maintain third place
The season so far
The previous season had seen Lazio relegated due to the Totonero scandal.
Rumours that there was something wrong in Serie A had begun to circulate earlier in the year. At Cagliari Maurizio Montesi broke his leg and from the hospital spoke to the few journalists who went to see how he was. He was alone, none of the Lazio players had had the decency to drop by. He started talking of match fixing, agreements between clubs over results, and illegal betting.
In Italy one could not legally bet on the result of a single game or on the scores of a series of games. There was just the Totocalcio where one had to guess the results of 13 games. There was however an illegal betting system called Totonero run by illegal bookmakers similar to how legal bets were organised in the UK.
Match fixing had always been a problem in Italy and taken place since the early 1950s. Clubs and/or players would agree to share points during the season in a “you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours” system. But then the players started to bet on these games. It was easy money, they knew what the result would be so why not have a little wager.
Alvaro Trinca was the owner of a restaurant in the centre of Rome where Lazio and Roma players would often go and eat before games. Massimo Cruciani was a fruit seller and was very friendly with a number of players. Both would hear the players talk of match fixing and therefore started to bet and win large sums of money. They teamed up and devised a plan which was to offer money to the players to fix games as well as bet money for them.
Their plan failed miserably and they were hugely indebted with people with whom you do not want to be indebted with. Apparently, they first asked the clubs for money but not all wanted to pay, then they presented their case to the Italian Football Federation but that was not going to solve the debts, so they then tried by resting their case with the law. They were later both arrested and started talking to the magistrates.
On March 23 1980, the Italian police arrested a number of players of Lazio, Milan, Bologna, Avellino, Genoa and Perugia. The scandal had exploded and Lazio were right in the middle of it. Bruno Giordano, Lionello Manfredonia, Massimo Cacciatori and Pino Wilson were among the players arrested.
Once the season finished there was the Sports Justice court case regarding the match fixing. The Lazio players were allegedly involved in the match fixing of Milan Lazio that ended 2-1 for the hosts and Lazio Avellino which finished 1-1.
The first sentencing between May and June gave Cacciatori and Wilson a life ban, Giordano and Manfredonia an 18-month suspension, Maurizio Montesi four months and a 10 million lire fine to Lazio. At the time fans thought that all in all this was acceptable.
Others got even harsher sentences. Milan were relegated (there was a direct involvement of the club President), Avellino, Bologna and Perugia given a 5-point docking. Among the various players, Enrico Albertosi got a life ban and Paolo Rossi 3 years.
The Lazio fans looked to the appeal case with optimism. They were wrong. Lazio were relegated to Serie B for the game against Avellino, Giordano and Manfredonia got a three-and-a-half-year suspension, Cacciatori four years and Wilson three years. Paolo Rossi’s suspension was reduced to two years, Albertosi's to four.
Why were Lazio relegated? There was no legal reason since none of the club directors were involved. The only reason was the fact that the initial sentences were considered too lenient and the Sports Justice system wanted to set an example. Hence, Lazio, always everybody’s favourite scapegoat, were relegated because they had a large number of players involved. But others were involved far deeper and got off lightly or with no penalisation at all. Lazio were a sacrificial lamb to keep the media happy.
Were the players guilty? Who knows. Wilson has hardly ever spoken about it. In his official biography though, he admitted having reached an agreement with some Milan players regarding Milan-Lazio. The plan was to let them win in Milan and Lazio in Rome. The Biancocelesti did not have much of a chance in Milan and the points at the end of the season could have been useful in case of a battle to stay in Serie A. He had nothing to do with betting, as also shown in the case files and his name appeared only for the Milan match. But Montesi accused him of being the ring leader, probably because a name had to be given, so to save himself he chose the player that had the least to lose.
These types of agreements had always happened in Italian football, this was no different from other similar agreements like in the last matches of the season when one team needed a point to stay in Serie A and the other maybe a point for a UEFA Cup qualification. The games would practically be non- starters. This is a violation of every Sports Code, and if the agreement is reached between clubs, if found guilty, these should be relegated or given point deductions. And if it is among players, these, if found guilty, should be suspended. If the players take money all that has to be done is to verify and check.
Manfredonia stated in an interview that he paid a rather large price compared to what he actually did. So maybe when Wilson announced that they were going to lose the Milan game, he complied. He did not play the match against Avellino, so he can’t have been guilty for that.
Giordano proclaims his innocence to this day. In his official biography he claims that Trinca and Cruciani tried to blackmail President Umberto Lenzini who refused to pay. When the magistrates asked him if he had got some extra cash Giordano denied it, saying “check my bank statements”. This is probably what they did and as a consequence none of the players were found guilty in the legal court case.
Where does the truth lie? A few facts are almost certain. Milan- Lazio was fixed by the players. The club had nothing to do with it. The rest is just speculation. Lazio, some Lazio players and Lazio fans paid a very high price for the Italian Football Federation's need to find guilty parties, whether they were actually guilty or not. And unfortunately, it would not be the only time. Claudio Vinazzani’s friendship with a Neapolitan illegal bookie, who was fixing games, translated into a 9-point deduction for the 1986-87 season, despite Lazio not being involved. President Claudio Lotito’s requests for decent referees would cost Lazio a 30-point deduction in the 2005-06 season and 3 points for the following one in the Calciopoli farce. Stefano Mauri’s friendship with a player who fixed games cost him a six-month suspension and jail time, even if he was innocent.
Lazio had invested a lot for the 1980-81 season and even signed Rene Van de Kerkhof, the Dutch star, but he was not eligible to play in Serie B so the deal did not go through.
Other players signed were Alberto Bigon and Stefano Chiodi from Milan (with Mauro Tassotti going the other way), goalkeepers Maurizio Moscatelli (Pistoiese), Aldo Nardin (Lecce) and Dario Marigo (Chieti), defenders Giorgio Mastropasqua and Arcadio Spinozzi (both from Bologna), midfielders Dario Sanguin (Vicenza) and Giuseppe Greco (Torino). Saying goodbye to Lazio, apart from Tassotti, were hero Vincenzo D’Amico (Torino), Antonio Lopez (Palermo) and Vincenzo Zucchini (Vicenza). Andrea Agostinelli and Roberto Badiani were sent on loan to Pistoiese, Stefano Ferretti to Empoli.
The manager was rising star Ilario Castagner who had led Perugia to a historic second place just a couple of seasons earlier.
After 15 games Lazio were top of the table with a one-point lead over Milan and four over third place (the first three were promoted). A long way to go yet but there was optimism. The Biancocelesti had won 7 and drawn 8 and had not lost yet. Chiodi had started playing in the beginning of November and had scored three goals.
Then came Lazio vs Milan, first game of 1981. The Rossoneri easily won 2-0. The shock probably instilled a doubt in the player’s mind and the Biancocelesti started to lose ground. A couple of weeks prior to this game the Biancocelesti had lost away to Bari and Cesena had joined them in second place and then were solitarily behind Milan after beating the Apulians with Lazio drawing at Lecce. Genoa, today's opponents, were just one point behind.
The match: Sunday, April 26, 1981, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
After five minutes Lazio appealed for a possible penalty for a foul in the box on Giuseppe Greco but the referee was not impressed. Fifteen minutes later the Biancocelesti scored. Free kick from just outside the penalty area towards the right, Fernando Viola passed to Mauro Manzoni who left it for Greco. Big whack and it was 1-0 for Lazio.
The home team had another penalty claim for an obvious handball by Claudio Testoni but again Paolo Bergamo signalled to play on. Massive chance for Genoa in the 34th minute when Claudio Sala dribbled past a few players and attempted a shot which Dario Marigo managed to save only for the ball to fall on the feet of Enrico Todesco. It was a simple tap in but the former Lazio player sent it over the crossbar. Three minutes before half time the Genoese equalised. Giuseppe Corti beat Marigo from outside the box with a powerful strike.
The Rossoblu manager Gigi Simoni took off Tedesco in the 60th minute and in came Francesco Boito. The visitors attack acquired that necessary speed so far missing in their attacks and four minutes later went ahead. Corti found Roberto Russo in the box and the centre forward made no mistake.
Lazio put their foot on the accelerator and managed to equalise. Filippo Citterio from the left crossed low into the box, the defence cleared but the ball reached Stefano Chiodi. He tried a shot which in the end was a perfect pass for Greco who did not miss the open goal chance.
Greco almost got the Biancocelesti a win when on a free kick in the 85th minute but his shot hit the woodwork.
Nothing changed in the table as Lazio were still third with the single point advantage over the Genoese, but Cesena were now two points away.
Who played for Lazio
Marigo, Pighin, Citterio, Perrone, Pochesci, Simoni (34' Ghedin), Garlaschelli, Manzoni, Chiodi, Viola, Greco
Manager: Castagner
Who played for Genoa
Martina, Testoni, Caneo, Corti, Onofri, Nela, C.Sala, Lorini, Russo (88' Manueli), Manfrin, Todesco (65' Boito)
Substitutes: Favaro, Conti, Odorizzi
Manager: Simoni
Referee: Bergamo
Goals: 20' Greco, 42' Corti, 64' Russo, 75' Greco.
What happened next
In mid-May with five games to the end of the season Lazio were third, two points clear of Genoa. Then, enter referee Alberto Michelotti. In the home game against Sampdoria, there was a corner for Lazio. Mastropasqua crossed, Gianluca De Ponti tried to head the ball but blatantly handballed it. A clear penalty right under the eyes of the linesman. But Michelotti had no intention of listening to him and the linesman no intention of changing the ref’s mind. Lazio lost that game and Genoa won. Milan first on 46 points, Cesena 42, Lazio and Genoa 41. In the next game Cesena won, Lazio and Genoa drew. With three games to the end came the mother of all games at the Olimpico: Lazio-Cesena. The Biancocelesti needed to win and they did, so with two games to go all three teams were tied on 44 points. Final home game Lazio-Vicenza. The Biancocelesti were very nervous and played terribly. Claudio Vagheggi scored for the Vicentini in the 55th minute, Paolo Pochesci equalised a quarter of an hour later. In the 87th minute, penalty for Lazio. Biancocelesti supporters invaded the pitch in celebration. It took forever to take the spot kick but everybody was sure that Lazio had won, Chiodi had never missed a penalty, not even in training. He did this time. Genoa and Cesena had won, promotion was lost.
The players with most appearances this season were Citterio and Viola with 43 games and the top scorer was Bigon with 10 goals
Let’s talk about Giuseppe Corti
Giuseppe Corti was born in Bergamo on February 3, 1957.
He started his football in the Milan academy. In 1975-76 he joined the first team squad but never made his debut.
In 1976 he joined Udinese in Serie C. The Zebrette narrowly missed out on promotion finishing 2nd. The manager was Livio Fongaro and Corti played 16 league games.
In 1977-78 he spent a season with Pergocrema (Crema-Lombardy) in Serie C. The "Cannibali" finished 13th under Giorgio Veneri and the following year would have to play in the new C2. Corti played 32 league games and scored 7 goals.
In 1978 he joined Monza in Serie B where he stayed two years. In the first the Brianzoli almost won promotion to Serie A but lost in a playoff to Pescara 0-2 in Bologna. The manager was Alfredo Magni and Corti played 24 league games plus the playoff and 3 in Coppa Italia. His teammates included future Lazio, Paolo Monelli (1987-88) and Paolo Beruatto (1987-1990)
The following season the Biancorossi finished 6th and Corti played 30 league games with 1 goal (Pistoiese). One of his teammates was future Milan and Italy player, Daniele Massaro.
In 1980 he signed for Genoa where he stayed four seasons, one in B (2nd and promoted) and 3 in A (13th, 12th and 14th relegated). Corti played 98 league games with 4 goals (Pescara, Lazio, Udinese, Cagliari) and 8 games in Coppa Italia with 1 goal (Brescia). His manager was Gigi Simoni for all four seasons. His teammates included Lazio connections: Silvano Martina (1987-89), Enrico Todesco (1979-80), Stefano Di Chiara (1973-76), Giuliano Fiorini (1985-87), Fernando Viola (1976-77, 1978-82).
In 1984 he joined Arezzo in Serie B. The Amaranto had three different managers, Enzo Riccomini (1-23), Giuseppe Chiappella (24-32) and Mario Rossi (33-38), and finished 14th. Corti played 26 league games. He played alongside Lazio connections Alessandro Bertoni (1989-91) and Fabrizio Di Mauro (1993-94).
In the autumn of 1985, he joined Lazio in Serie B. Lazio had been relegated and were in financial difficulty after the Giorgio Chinaglia presidency. There was uncertainty and discontent and the team suffered. Under Gigi Simoni, Lazio risked relegation but ultimately finished 11th. Corti played 22 league games with 1 goal (Genoa).
In 1986 he moved to Parma in Serie B. He stayed one and a half seasons and the Ducali finished 7th and 8th, the first year under Arrigo Sacchi and the second Zdeněk Zeman. Corti played 11 league games and 3 in Coppa Italia. During the second season he moved back to Pergocrema in Serie C2.
In his second spell in Crema the "Canarini" finished 13th, under three different managers. Corti played 16 league games.
In 1988-89 he spent a season with Fiorenzuola (Piacenza) in Serie D finishing 4th and then three more seasons at amateur level with San Paolo d'Argon.
After retiring he became a scout. He worked with Palermo, where he had the merit of bringing a little known Edinson Cavani, and then Atalanta for six years.
In 2018 he returned to Palermo and is in charge of the scouting sector.
Corti was a defensive central midfielder. He was a physical and hard-working player. He played 34 games in Serie A and 147 in B, winning a promotion with Genoa.
At Lazio he only stayed one season and it was a bad one for the club in general. He played 22 games in a difficult year.
Lazio Career
Season | Total Serie B appearances | Serie B Goals |
1985-86 | 22 | 1 |
Sources
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