April 27, 1969: Perugia-Lazio 1-1
- Dag Jenkins
- Apr 27
- 9 min read
Good point but regret over two missed penalties
Positive result but Marchesi and Ghio both miss from the spot kick
Also on this day:
The season so far
The 1967-68 season had seen Lazio come in 11th in Serie B. The manager Renato Gei had been replaced by former goalkeeper Roberto Lovati in February. They had a good home record but didn't win even once away and had the least prolific attack of the league.
This year Argentine Juan Carlos Lorenzo was in charge but as he wasn't in possession of the suitable documentation (Italian passport), he was officially called D.T (Technical Director) and on match days it was Bob Lovati who sat on the bench. This changed on March 30 when Lorenzo had received his Italian citizenship and could act as manager on Sunday's too.
The main changes to the squad were the arrival of defenders Mario Facco (Inter) and Guido Onor (Juventus), midfielder Ferruccio Mazzola (Inter) and striker Gian Piero Ghio (Avellino). Leaving Lazio were goalkeeper Idilio Cei (Palermo), defenders Pierluigi Ronzon (retiring) and Alberto Mari (Sambenedettese).
Lazio were considered one of the favourites for promotion but the start had been slightly hesitant with 4 wins, 4 draws and 2 losses (Livorno and Ternana, both away). They had then picked up with 9 wins, 7 draws and 2 defeats. Lazio came into today's game top of the table, on 37 points. The Biancocelesti were one point ahead of Brescia, two above Reggiana and four above Bari. Their most recent game had been a crucial 1-0 home win against fellow promotion contenders Brescia. Gian Piero Ghio was top scorer so far with 8 league goals.
In Coppa Italia, Lazio had gone out in September. In the first four-team group phase they had drawn two (Bologna and SPAL, both 1-1 at home) and lost one (the derby 0-1).
The previous season Perugia had finished 15th under Guido Mazzetti. Both games against Lazio ended in draws. Top scorers were Amedeo "Jones" Balestrieri and Vasco Dugini with 9 league goals each.
This season Mazzetti was still manager. The main new signings were: defenders Stefano Marcucci (Lecce), Elio Vanara (Genoa), midfielders Bruno Mazzia (Brescia) and Rinaldo Frezza (Modena) plus forwards Costantino Fava (Lazio-on loan), Costantino Fava (Varese).
Leaving were: defender Alberto Grossetti (Milan-end of loan and then Catania) and forwards Amedeo Balestrieri (Genoa) and Claudio Turchetto (Brescia).
An interesting player in the squad was Luigi Polentes who would join Lazio a year later and win a Scudetto in 1973-74. Paolo Ferrario was also a former Lazio player (1960-62).
Perugia were currently in joint 9th place on 27 points with Livorno, Como and Catania. The Umbri had won 5, drawn 17 (including Lazio) and lost 6 (including the most recent match 1-2 away at Cesena).
In Coppa Italia, the Grifoni had been eliminated in the group phase in September. They had lost 2 (Cagliari 0-1 at home and Reggina 0-1 away) and drawn 1 (Livorno 1-1 at home).
Not an easy game for Lazio today against solid mid-table Perugia who were unbeaten at home and had only conceded six goals in 14 games (16 in 28 total games).
The match: Sunday, April 27, 1969, Stadio Santa Giuliana, Perugia
A warm and sunny day in the Umbrian capital with a crowd of about 20,000. At least 6,000 had travelled from Rome, taking advantage of the mere 175 kilometres between the two towns.
Lazio had no absences while Perugia were missing midfielder Bruno Mazzia.
The Umbri started aggressively. They placed a solid tackling fullback Panio to follow Ferruccio Mazzola everywhere he went thus suffocating Lazio's creativity.
The Griffins took the lead in the 19th minute. Nello Governato was tackled hard at the edge of the Perugia box and the Biancorossi darted forward, Bruno Piccioni to Angelo Montenovo to Elio Vanara and back to Piccioni who ran into the box and scored with a cross goal shot. All at high speed and Perugia 1 Lazio 0.
Lazio tried to react but Perugia's energetic approach limited their threats and halftime came with the Perugini in front, 1-0.
For the second half Lazio put on forward Juan Carlos "El Gaucho" Morrone and took off Piero Cucchi.
This tactical change invigorated the Biancocelesti who started to improve. The Argentine was immediately dangerous but Giuseppe Valsecchi pulled off a good save.
In the 54th minute Lazio were awarded a penalty. Morrone crossed for Governato whose shot was obstructed by Vasco Dugini's arm. The specialist Rino Marchesi stepped up (he had scored Lazio's only other penalty of the season, curiously against the same opponents). He hit it well but it came back off the post with no-one quick enough for the rebound.
Lazio however kept their heads up and equalised four minutes later. Mazzola floated a free kick into the area, it was cleared and Giuliano Fortunato sent it back in where Gian Piero Ghio coordinated himself for a wonderful bicycle kick. Perugia 1 Lazio 1.
The 6,000 Laziali went wild but there was more excitement to come. The game was now balanced but in the 73rd minute Lazio were awarded another penalty. It was a gift from Vanara who, convinced Fortunato was offside, caught the ball on a cross into the area. The flag never went up but the referee was forced to punish the defender. This time Marchesi left it to Ghio but the result was the same. He sent the keeper the wrong way but the ball shaved the post and he missed.
In the 83rd minute the Umbri took off forward Paolo Ferrario and put on Francesco Rubino. The game however had already seen its main events and both sides seemed to settle for a point apiece. Final score Perugia 1 Lazio 1.
Lazio were moderately satisfied with a draw which they probably would have signed for before the match and even at half time but obviously the two missed penalties were in their minds as they travelled back to Rome.
Lazio were still top but now shared the leadership with Brescia who had beaten Modena 3-0. Lazio had gained a point on Reggiana (0-1 at Catanzaro) but lost a point on Bari (2-1 at home to SPAL). The table read: Lazio and Brescia 38, Reggiana and Bari 35, Reggina 33. With nine games to go and three promotion slots Lazio had things in their own hands.
Perugia were still joint 9th with the same three teams, who had all drawn.
Who played for Perugia
Valsecchi, Panio, Olivieri, Vanara, Polentes, Bacchetta, Piccioni, Montenovo, Fava, Ferrario (83' Rubino), Dugini
Substitutes: Cenci
Manager: Mazzetti
Who played for Lazio
Di Vincenzo, Zanetti, Facco, Governato, Soldo, Marchesi, Massa, F. Mazzola, Fortunato, Ghio, Cucchi (52' Morrone)
Substitutes: Fioravanti
Manager: Lorenzo
Referee: Vacchini
Goals: 19' Piccioni, 58' Ghio
What happened next
With a strong finish to the season Lazio were promoted up to Serie A ahead of Brescia and Bari. In the last 9 games they won 4, drew 4 and lost 1. They topped the league with 50 points after 17 wins, 16 draws and 5 defeats. Top scorer was Gian Piero Ghio with 11 goals (10 in B).
Perugia finished 8th. They continued unbeaten at home and in the last matches won 4, drew 2 and lost 3. Top scorer was Paolo Ferrario with 6 league goals.
So, it was Serie A for Lazio, Brescia and Bari. Serie C awaited Padova, SPAL and Lecco.
A brief history of A.C Perugia
The Associazione Calcio Perugia was formed in 1905. It was a merger of two local sports clubs, Braccio Fortebraccio and Libertas.
In the years between 1905 and 1923 they played at local regional Umbrian level.
In 1923-25 they played in the Marche regional group of the Seconda Divisione and in 1925-26 in the Umbrian group. They finished 2nd twice and 3rd.
In 1926 they pulled out of the Seconda Divisione Sud and finished 5th a year later.
Between 1928 and 1930 they played in the Terza Divisione Umbria and then were included in the Prima Divisione Sud (3rd national tier).
In 1932 the Biancorossi were promoted to Serie B but in 1935 were relegated and went bankrupt.
In 1935 they then started up again in the 4th tier. In 1937 they were included in a newly enlarged Serie C format. They finished 10th, 6th, and 4th before World War II interrupted the leagues.
When things returned to normal they won promotion to Serie B in 1946. Two years later they were relegated and then spent most of the 1950's in Serie D.
In 1959-60 they were entered into Serie C as Umbrian representatives. In 1967 they won the league and made it back up to Serie B.
There followed stable years in the 2nd tier until 1975 when they topped the league and won their first historic promotion to Serie A. These would be the best years in their history with 8th, 6th, 7th, 2nd and 7th places.
The 1977-78 season was marked by a tragedy when Perugia player Renato Curi collapsed and died of a heart attack during a home game against Juventus on October 30 1977. The ground was named in his honour on November 26.
The second place of 1978-79 was under manager Ilario Castagner and the team became known as "Il Perugia dei Miracoli". The Grifoni went the whole season unbeaten in the league (an achievement never accomplished by any club until then). The usual line-up was: Nello Malizia, Michele Nappi, Antonio Ceccarini, Mauro Della Martira, Paolo Frosio, Paolo Dal Fiume, Cesare Butti, Franco Vannini, Salvatore Bagni, Gianfranco Casarsa and Walter Speggiorin.
In 1979 Perugia confirmed their new status as a competitive club by signing prolific striker Paolo Rossi on loan from Vicenza. They finished 7th and were allegedly involved in the Totonero match fixing scandal. Rossi and other players were banned and Perugia docked 5 points for the successive season when they got relegated.
The early 1980's were spent in B until 1986 when they fell even further and were punished with relegation to Serie C2 for their involvement in the second Totonero scandal.
In 1988 they made it up to C1 and in 1994 back to Serie B. In 1998 they finally won promotion back to Serie A under various managers including Ilario Castagner from March onwards.
The Umbri stayed in the top flight until 2004. They finished 14th, 10th, 11th, 8th, 9th and 15th. In 2000 of course, they helped Lazio win the Scudetto by defeating Juventus in the famous rain drenched game of May 14.
In 2005 Perugia went bankrupt and restarted from Serie C1 which in 2008 became Lega Pro Prima Divisione. They remained in Lega Pro until 2010 when they again had financial problems and were forced to change name to ASD Perugia Calcio and join the 5th tier.
They immediately won promotion to Lega Pro Seconda Divisione and the Serie D Coppa Italia and took on the name A.C Perugia Calcio. The following season they won promotion to Lega Pro Prima Divisione and won the Supercoppa of LP2.
In 2014 they made it back to Serie B where they stayed six years finishing 6th, 10th, 4th, 8th, 8th and 16th.
In 2020 they were relegated but bounced straight up again and then finished 8th in Serie B.
In 2023 the Grifoni were relegated again and are currently still in Serie C.
Perugia have played 13 seasons in Serie A and 29 in B. They have taken part in 2 UEFA Cup competitions and in 2003 won the Intertoto Cup. They are rated at number 35 in Italy for footballing tradition.
Their top 5 players with most appearances are; Dante Fortini 360 (1956-66), Pierluigi Frosio 323 (1974-1984), Michele Nappi (1974-1982, 1984-85), Oriano Cenci 191 (1960-1967) and Elio Vanara 188 (1968-1974).
Perugia's top 5 goal scorers are; Giovanni Cornacchini 60, Fabio Mazzeo 44, Samuel Di Carmine 42, Fabrizio Ravanelli 41 and Giovanni Urban 36
Some of their stars through the years have been; Franco Vannini (1974-79), Pierluigi Frosio (1974-79), Salvatore Bagni (1977-81), Paolo Rossi (1979-80), Fabrizio Ravanelli (1986-89 and local boy), Federico Giunti (1991-97), Gennaro Gattuso (1995-97), Hidetoshi Nakata (1998-2000), Fabio Liverani (2000-2001), Fabrizio Miccoli (2002-03), Marco Materazzi (1995-96, 1997-98, 1999-2001), Fabio Grosso (2001-2004).
Perugia as mentioned are known as the Griffins and play in red and white. These were chosen in 1921 and are also the colours of the town. The jersey is traditionally mainly red with white being less prominent.
Perugia play their home games at the Renato Curi stadium built in 1975. The capacity is 23,625 and it is situated in a valley below Perugia called Pian di Massiano. Previously Perugia played in the old Santa Giuliana ground which was right in the historic city centre.
Perugia's main organised fan group is traditionally left wing but from the 1990's they also have right wing leaning groups. Their main rivals are fellow Umbrians Ternana and to a lesser extent Foligno and Gubbio. They occasionally play a derby against Pontevecchio, the town of Perugia's second club. Outside Umbria they have strong rivalries with Lazio and Arezzo while they have a special friendship with Ischia.
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