Chinaglia leads the charge

Simon Basten
Mar 30, 2024
3 min read

Season 1974-75

Game 24, Serie A

Sunday, March 30, 1975

Stadio Comunale, Bologna

Bologna Lazio 1-2

Lazio win coming from behind thanks to an exceptional Giorgio Chinaglia

In Serie A, the Biancocelesti started well winning the first three games, but then they lost the lead with two points in the next three. By the end of the year they were second, three points behind Juventus. The first match of 1975 was Lazio vs Juve and the Biancocelesti won. Now they were only one point behind the Bianconeri. In the last game of the first half of the season the Biancocelesti lost at Ascoli and the gap went to -3.

The three-point gap stayed until the end of February. Two points in the next four games meant that Lazio dropped to fourth place, -6 from the Bianconeri.

The match

Bologna came out flying, looking like a team determined to settle the match quickly and efficiently. But after the bright start, they unravelled. They lost control of midfield, kept switching their marking assignments, and never found the right balance. In short, they began at full throttle and faded fast, running out of steam.

Lazio, meanwhile, showed patience and maturity. Whatever cure they had found for their recent struggles clearly worked. They absorbed Bologna’s early surge, let them burn off energy, and then took control of the game. The difference-maker was Giorgio Chinaglia. Unfazed by the whistles from the home crowd—more envy than hostility—he dominated his personal battle with Beppe Savoldi. Not a knockout, perhaps, but a clear win on points.

Bologna’s three national-team call-ups had an off day. Eraldo Pecci drifted around without influence, unsure what to do when the ball reached him. Mauro Bellugi started on Chinaglia (and paid for it when “Giorgione” scored), then switched to Franco Nanni—who gave him problems as well—before ending up as a sweeper. Savoldi, too static, struggled to find space and received little service, though not entirely by his own fault.

Chinaglia, on the other hand, was everywhere. He dropped deep to collect the ball, fought through heavy challenges, and shot from all angles. He led by example—gesturing, shouting, demanding more.

This match had been billed as Lazio’s last stand. After losing the derby, another defeat would have plunged the defending champions into crisis, reopening internal disputes and possibly triggering an early surrender in the title race. Instead, just when they seemed on the brink, Lazio rediscovered their identity—and their hunger.

It didn’t look promising at first. After less than four minutes, Bologna were ahead. Pierino Ghetti surged down the right and delivered a pinpoint cross. Pino Wilson, under pressure from Savoldi, tried to intervene, but the ball glanced off his head and past Felice Pulici. An own goal. Bologna led 1–0 almost immediately.

The home fans sensed blood. They expected Lazio to crumble. They didn’t.

Lazio stayed calm. They kept playing. Six minutes later, they were level. Luciano Re Cecconi swung in a cross from the right, Chinaglia found himself completely unmarked—too unmarked—and calmly controlled and finished. It looked as simple as a penalty.

When Renzo Garlaschelli limped off and Nanni came on, Lazio didn’t lose momentum. In the 27th minute Nanni nearly scored, only for Tazio Roversi to clear off the line. From that moment, the balance shifted. Bologna began to struggle physically and mentally; Lazio grew stronger.

The winner came in the 54th minute—and again, it was an own goal. Nanni shot from distance, the ball took a deflection off Bellugi, and Amos Adani, already diving, couldn’t adjust on the slippery pitch. 2–1.

Lazio could have added more. Chinaglia attempted an audacious chip that drifted wide. Later, Vincenzo D’Amico fired toward an open goal, only for a defender to clear almost on the line. Bologna’s midfield had vanished, and every Lazio attack looked dangerous.

In the end, 2–1 was enough. Lazio walked away with both points and, more importantly, renewed belief. Suddenly, the title race didn’t look so distant. Against expectations—and perhaps even against their own doubts—they were back in contention.

Who played for Bologna

Adani, Roversi, Cresci, Bulgarelli (62' Trevisanello II), Bellugi, Maselli, Ghetti, Pecci, Savoldi, Paris, Landini II

Substitutes: Buso, Ferrara

Manager: Pesaola

Who played for Lazio

Pulici, Ghedin, Martini, Wilson, Oddi, Badiani, Garlaschelli (19' Nanni), Re Cecconi, Chinaglia, Frustalupi, D'Amico