Smash and grab in Sardinia

Dag Jenkins
Nov 11, 2023
3 min read

Season 1990-91

Game 8, Serie A

Sunday, November 11, 1990

Stadio Sant'Elia, Cagliari

Cagliari Lazio 0-1

An own goal and little else gives Lazio two points in Cagliari

In Serie A Lazio had started slowly with 2 draws (Torino 0-0 away on debut, and Parma 0-0, both at home) and 1 defeat (Lecce 0-1 away). Since then the Biancocelesti had finally won 1 (Bologna 3-1 at home) and drawn 3 (Milan and Bari both 1-1 at home and Juventus 0-0 away). Lazio were currently 8th on 7 points with Cesena, Pisa, and Napoli. It was time for an away win.

Cagliari were struggling. They had won 1 (Napoli 2-1 away), drawn 1 and lost 5 (including last 3). They were currently joint bottom with Bologna on 3 points (3 from safety - Genoa, Bari and Roma on 6 points).

Lazio were slight favourites but Cagliari were desperate to get a first home win and some points.

The match

A hazy day on the island with the occasional ray of sun brought just under 20,000 to the Sant' Elia stadium.

Cagliari had all the squad available while Lazio were without central defender Angelo Gregucci and midfielder Pedro Troglio.

Cagliari were on top in the first half and attacked constantly. Lazio's game plan was not helped by new signing Claudio Vertova limping off after only six minutes and being replaced by Roberto Bacci.

Cagliari's best period of pressure was halfway through the half when they had two clear chances, but on both occasions Daniel Fonseca fired over the crossbar.

In the 37th minute Massimiliano Cappioli had a decent effort but his shot was just wide.

Lazio defended and had their only shot at goal in the 42nd minute when Mario Ielpo fisted away a Claudio Sclosa effort.

Halftime 0-0 but the hosts were so far the better team.

For the second half, future "Sir" Ranieri took off experienced midfielder Gianfranco Matteoli and put on young forward Raffaele Paolino

The fresh legged youngster immediately caused Lazio problems but Valerio Fiori was reactive.

In the 61st minute Lazio surprisingly took the lead. Sergio Domini floated in a corner and Gianluca Festa, in an attempt to anticipate Karl-Heinz Riedle, headed the ball into his own net, 0-1.

The game changed completely. The Cagliaritani's heads dropped and they lost vigour.

In the 66th minute both sides made changes; for Cagliari midfielder Pasquale Domenico Rocco came on for downtrodden defender Festa while for Lazio, Franco Marchegiani replaced Sclosa.

Cagliari however had given all they had to give and Lazio were then completely in control until the end of the game. A good ball circulation allowed the Biancocelesti to avoid any risks until the final whistle. Final score Cagliari 0 Lazio 1.

A cynical win for the Romans. They could thank Cagliari's lack of a real centre-forward and then, once they had got the lucky breakthrough, Cagliari's low self-esteem prevented them from believing in a comeback.

Lazio were now up to 6th on 9 points with Parma. Cagliari were obviously still bottom with Bologna on 3 points but now four from safety (Atalanta on 7 points).

Who played for Cagliari

Ielpo, Festa (66' Rocco), Cornacchia, Pulga, Valentini, Firicano, Cappioli, Matteoli (46' Paolino), Fonseca, Francescoli, Nardini

Substitutes: Di Bitonto, Coppola, Herrera

Manager: Ranieri

Who played for Lazio

Fiori, Bergodi, Sergio, Pin, Vertova (6' Bacci), Soldà, Madonna, Sclosa (66' Marchegiani), Riedle, Domini, Sosa