A good point

Simon Basten
Apr 10, 2024
2 min read

Season 1987-88

Game 28, Serie B

Sunday, April 10, 1988

Stadio Comunale, Bergamo

Atalanta Lazio 1-1

Despite going ahead, Lazio struggled in Bergamo but managed to secure a draw

There was a lot of expectation, especially because the slots for promotion were increased to four as Serie A was going to expand the number of teams from 16 to 18, but Lazio started slowly. After the first 10 games Lazio were 12th, not too far away from the promotion zone, but still not in a good position. A couple of wins pushed them back up but then six consecutive draws, the last five goalless, brought them down to sixth place together with Catanzaro. The situation was getting desperate and it got even worse in the next game at Taranto. They were trailing 3-1 at the end of the first half but managed to equalise and from then on Lazio lost only two games. They were currently third together with Cremonese, Lecce and Catanzaro, one point more than Bari and four points behind second placed Atalanta, today’s opponents.

The match

Lazio started well. In the early stages Ciro Muro on a free kick went very close to scoring but Ottorino Piotti with a brilliant save denied the Neapolitan the goal. In the 21st minute, Raimondo Marino tried a shot from 30 metres, Piotti parried but the ball arrived to Paolo Monelli who headed it into the net.

Atalanta attacked looking for an equaliser and almost got it shortly after when Glenn Stromberg arrived just a fraction late on a cross from the right. The referee could have given a penalty to the hosts when, after Silvano Martina dropped the ball on a Giuseppe Compagno cross from the left, Daniele Fortunato passed to the upcoming Ivano Bonetti who tried a shot which was possibly deflected at close range by an Angelo Gregucci arm. The referee indicated a corner.

In the second half the Bergamaschi managed to solve their problems in midfield and pinned Lazio back in their half. The Biancocelesti could however have made it two in the 61st minute but Gabriele Savino instead of passing to Monelli, who was completely free, chose Giuseppe Galderisi and the opportunity vanished. A minute later the hosts equalised. Marino fouled Andrea Salvadori in the box and Oliviero Garlini scored the penalty.

At this point both teams were content with the point and the game virtually ended.

Who played for Atalanta

Piotti, A.Salvadori (69' Barcella), Ca.Gentile, Fortunato, Progna, Icardi, Stromberg, El.Nicolini, Compagno (57' Cantarutti), Bonetti II, Garlini

Substitutes: Malizia, Rossi, Consonni

Manager: Mondonico

Who played for Lazio

Martina, Marino, Beruatto, Pin, Gregucci, V.Esposito (46' Piscedda), Savino, Acerbis, Galderisi, Muro (64' Caso) Monelli