Game 7, Serie B
Sunday, November 7, 1971
Stadio Comunale, Arezzo
Arezzo Lazio 2-2
Despite dominating for long periods, a penalty and an own goal mean Lazio are unable to give win to 4,000 travelling faithful.
The Serie B campaign had then started up and down for Lazio who obviously had promotion ambitions. So far, they had won 4 and lost 2, so had 8 points.
The match
A sunny Tuscan day brought a crowd of 10,000 to the small Arezzo ground. The vicinity to Rome had also attracted 4,000 Lazio fans on a day trip up to the town of artists and poets.
Lazio's recent signing Alessandro Abbondanza was thrown straight on for his debut.
Lazio started strongly and had several chances. A Giuseppe Massa header went just wide and a thundering Giuliano Fortunato shot hit the crossbar. In the 9th minute Lazio's dominance was rewarded. Massa through ball found Abbondanza who beat the keeper coming off his line with a cool, low finish. Arezzo 0 Lazio 1.
The lead only lasted four minutes. In the 14th minute a sandwich by Mario Facco and Gaetano Legnaro on Incerti was considered a foul by the referee and he awarded a penalty. Incerti sent Claudio Bandoni the wrong way and scored but was then ordered to retake it as an Amaranto player had been inside the area, he obliged and scored again. Arezzo 1 Lazio 1.
Despite the setback Lazio continued to dominate and took back the lead in the 41st minute. A team move started by Pino Wilson, to Franco Nanni to Abbondanza who teed up Giorgio Chinaglia on the right, Long John sent a cross goal low missile into the opposite corner, giving the keeper no chance. Arezzo 1 Lazio 2. Lazio were well in control at halftime.
For the second half the Aretini brought on a midfielder, Lorenzo Barlassina, for defender, Elio Parolini.
Again, were it not for the break, Lazio's lead was short lived. In the 50th minute an unfortunate deflection by Luigi Polentes put the ball in his own net. Arezzo 2 Lazio 2.
Lazio attacked but were less confident and slick than the first half. They nevertheless had their chances. The biggest came in the 71st minute when a Wilson cross was headed by Mario Facco but cleared off the line by Luigi Tonani with a spectacular bicycle kick. Lazio pushed but could not get the winner. Final score Arezzo 2 Lazio 2.
A slight disappointment for Lazio and the big travelling support. The Biancocelesti had been by far the superior team, especially in the first half, but a penalty and an own goal had denied them the win. An away point however was never to be scoffed at and debutant Abbondanza had been positive. The table now read Bari, Palermo, Perugia, Taranto all on 10, Lazio 9 and Ternana 9.
Who Played for Arezzo
Grandini, Beatrice, Vergani, Camozzi, Tonani, Parolini (46' Barlassina), Galuppi, Pupo, Benvenuto, Farina, Incerti
Substitutes: Candussi
Manager: Ballacci
Who played for Lazio
Substitutes: Di Vincenzo, Oddi
Manager: Maestrelli
Referee: Lazzaroni
Goals: 9' Abbondanza, 13' Incerti, 41' Chinaglia, 50' Polentes (og)
Sources
Opmerkingen