A point each to start

Dag Jenkins
Oct 8, 2022
3 min read

Season 1988-89

Game 1, Serie A

Sunday, October 9, 1988

Stadio Dino Manuzzi, Cesena

Cesena-Lazio 0-0

A goalless draw which gets the point tally moving on the long road to survival

The season started late this year and this was Lazio's debut and first Serie A game for three and a half years.

A difficult game to predict today. Cesena had done well the previous season but Lazio were full of enthusiasm following their return to the top flight.

The match

A bright and warm day brought just under 20,000 spectators to the Manuzzi, in La Fiorita area of town and named after Dino Manuzzi, the Cesena president from 1964 to 1980. Today was the first game in the renovated stadium.

Cesena were missing midfielder Odoacre Chierico while Lazio were without Uruguayan defender Nelson Gutierrez plus Antonio Elia Acerbis and surprisingly played debutant Marco Monti at full-back rather than Raimondo Marino.

The first chance was for the locals as in the 3rd minute Massimo Agostini hit the side netting following a scramble in the Lazio area.

The game was played mainly in midfield with little goal action. In the 18th minute Rubén Sosa was almost clear on goal but he was anticipated by former Lazio, Fabio Calcaterra. Two minutes later Sosa had a free kick comfortably saved by Sebastiano Rossi.

Hans Holmqvist had a shot deflected into corner and then in the 38th minute the Bianconeri appealed for a penalty when Angelo Gregucci tackled Agostini from behind just as the "Condor" was about to shoot. The referee however waved for the striker to get up and continue.

Towards the end of the half Lazio had two good chances to take the lead. In the 43rd minute Abel Dezotti was put in front of goal by a Sosa high cross but blasted his volley over the bar. One minute later Paolo Di Canio had a double opportunity but his first attempt was walled by Agatino Cuttone and on the rebound the lad from Quarticciolo fired high. Half time Cesena Lazio 0-0.

A balanced 45 minutes with Lazio slightly superior and with the better chances.

The first twenty minutes after the break were very blocked with neither side getting the upper hand.

In the 69th minute Pasquale Traini, who had literally just come on for a disappointing Holmqvist, found an inviting ball near the penalty spot but was unable to hit the target.

In the 72nd minute it was Lazio's turn to request a penalty when Gregucci was seemingly pulled down by Jovic but this time too, the man in black was not convinced.

Lazio appeared pleased with a point and in the 82nd minute replaced midfielder Claudio Sclosa with defender Marino.

The Seahorses however had one more opportunity to snatch both points but in the 85th minute Traini, perfectly teed up by Sergio Domini after a defensive error, hammered over the bar from a very favourable position.

There was still time for one last substitution as in the 88th minute Lazio changed forward from Dezotti to Tonino Rizzolo, probably more to let precious seconds pass than for tactical reasons. Final score Cesena 0 Lazio 0.

A fair result in the end. By no means a spectacular game but both sides could be satisfied with a draw to get the point tally rolling on the long and winding road to survival.

Who played for Cesena

S.Rossi, Cuttone, Limido, Bordin, Calcaterra, Jozić, Agostini, Leoni, Piraccini, Domini, Holmqvist (69' Traini)

Substitutes: Albioni, Flamigni, Chiti, Masolini

Manager: Bigon

Who played for Lazio

Martina, Monti, Beruatto, Pin, Gregucci, Piscedda, Dezotti (88' Rizzolo), Icardi, Di Canio, Sclosa (82' Marino), Sosa