Game 24, Serie A
Sunday, February 24, 2002
Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia, Bergamo
Atalanta Lazio 0-1
A Poborsky goal allowed Lazio to cash in three points and keep hopes of Champions League qualification alive.
Lazio desperately needed to win to keep any hopes of a European Cup qualification alive, it was Atalanta however who gained control of the game in the first half but the Bergamaschi were hardly ever dangerous in the entire game. The home team had reason for complaint in the 23nd minute when, following a cross from the left, there could have been a penalty for a Alessandro Nesta handball. Judged by today’s rules, there would be no discussion. In 2002 there was reason for debate, since the handball was certainly not voluntary. In the 28th minute Luigi Sala had a chance, but his shot from a favourable position was weak and Angelo Peruzzi saved comfortably.
Lazio started to wake up towards the end of the first half. In the 42nd minute, Gaizka Mendieta to Claudio Lopez, who promptly shot from outside the penalty box but he hit the crossbar.
Much better Lazio in the second half. In the 57th minute Dejan Stankovic on the counterattack, low cross in the penalty box from the left, Simone Inzaghi, unmarked, miskicked the ball. In the 79th Stankovic to Inzaghi who passed the ball to Claudio Lopez. Alone, unmarked, open goal, instead of logically shooting with his right foot, he used his left and kicked the ball wide.
The well-deserved goal arrived three minutes later. Free kick from Stefano Fiore, ball to Stankovic who crossed. The ball was headed backwards by Falsini and was about to go out but Karel Poborsky got to the ball just in time and lobbed it over the goalkeeper from a very tight angle. Lazio scored with the worst player on the pitch!!!
A deserved win for Lazio. There were a lot of teams ahead of them, but Champions League hope was still alive.
Who played for Atalanta
Pinato, Foglio, Carrera, Sala, Falsini, Bellini (83' Pinardi), Zauri, Berretta (85' Saudati), Doni, Inacio Pià, Colombo (70' Comandini).
Substitutes: Taibi, Rustico, Natali, Dabo.
Manager: Vavassori.
Who played for Lazio
Peruzzi, Colonnese, Nesta, Fernando Couto, Pancaro, Poborsky, Giannichedda, Mendieta (60’ Fiore), Stankovic (80’ D. Baggio), S. Inzaghi, Claudio Lopez (90’ Gottardi)
Substitutes: Marchegiani, Mihajlovic, Liverani, Evacuo
Manager: Zaccheroni
Referee: Borriello
Goal: 78’ Poborsky
Sources