December 23, 1995: Lazio -Atalanta 5-1

Dag Jenkins
4 days ago
10 min read

Winter depressing for Dea

The Dutchman opens and closes the scoring as Lazio bury Atalanta in goals

Non Lazio Manager of the day: Emiliano Mondonico

The season so far

It was Zdenek Zeman's second year in charge after the previous year's second place (although way behind champions Juventus). They had also reached the UEFA Cup quarter-final (unlucky exit to former Lazio Karl Heinz Riedle's Borussia Dortmund) and the semi-final of Italian Cup. So, they were trying to build on a positive year.

The summer market had brought defenders Guerino Gottardi (Neuchatel Xamax) and Alessandro Grandoni (Ternana) plus midfielder Massimiliano Esposito (Reggiana). The main changes were the players leaving. It was with great sadness that Lazio said goodbye to beloved Paul Gascoigne (Rangers for 4.3 million pounds) after 3 eventful years in Rome. Also leaving were defenders Roberto Cravero (Torino), Roberto Bacci (Torino) and midfielder Giorgio Venturin (Cagliari - loan).

Cragnotti had tried to sell Beppe Signori to Parma but the fans had literally taken to the streets in thousands in protest and "convinced" the owner to keep the striker.

In Serie A so far, Lazio were 5th, on 22 points with today's opponents Atalanta. The Biancocelesti had won 6 (including Juventus 4-0 and recently Sampdoria 6-3 at home), drawn 4 (including derby and Inter away, both 0-0) and lost 4 (3 out of last 4). After a good start Lazio had slowed down but came from a win.

In Coppa Italia, Lazio were already out. The Biancocelesti had beaten Chievo on penalties and Udinese 1-0 both away but then lost in the quarterfinals to Inter 1-2 on aggregate.

In the UEFA Cup had defeated Omonia (Cyprus) 7-1 on aggregate but were then eliminated by Olympique Lyonnais 1-4 on aggregate.

Today it was time to consolidate the previous week's win and start climbing the table.

Atalanta were newly promoted. The previous season the Nerazzurri had finished 4th in Serie B under manager Emiliano Mondonico. The squad included former Lazio, Giampaolo Saurini (1988-89, 1990-91, 1993). The top scorer was Maurizio Ganz with 16 goals (14 in B).

Mondonico was still the manager this season. The main novelties were: defenders Gianluca Luppi (Fiorentina) and Antonio Paganin (Inter), midfielders José Oscar Herrera (Figueres), Fabio Gallo (Brescia) and Marco Sgrò (Ancona - back from loan) plus forwards Christian Vieri (Venezia) and Sandro Tovalieri (Bari).

Leaving Bergamo were: defenders Simone Pavan (Venezia) and Emanuele Tresoldi (Pistoiese - on loan), midfielders Thomas Locatelli (Milan), Tebaldo Bigliardi (Leffe), Oscar Magoni (Genoa), Cristiano Scapolo (Bologna), Sebastiano Vecchiola (Venezia) plus forwards Maurizio Ganz (Inter) and Giampaolo Saurini (Brescia)

As mentioned Atalanta were currently 5th, with Lazio on 22 points. The Bergamaschi had won 6 (including Roma 1-0 away), drawn 4 and lost 4 (including last 2), the same as Lazio.

In Coppa Italia the Orobici were through to the semi-finals to be played in February. They had eliminated Cremonese at home on penalties (after 2-2 draw), Juventus 1-0 at home (a.e.t) and then Cagliari 4-3 on aggregate. The Nerazzurri would now play Bologna away on February 14 and at home on February 27 for a place in the final.

So, an important game today between two sides hovering about the European qualification places but neither on top form in recent weeks.

The match: Saturday, December 23, 1995, Stadio Olimpico, Rome

A wet and gloomy day in Rome saw just under 50,000 spectators gather at the Olimpico for this last game of 1995.

Lazio were without goalkeeper Luca Marchegiani and defender Beppe Favalli.

Atalanta had midfielders Walter Bonacina and Fabio Gallo missing.

The visitors had a defensive and cautious approach. They hoped to resist Lazio's attacks and strike on the break.

Lazio were immediately dangerous with a Beppe Signori shot which Fabrizio Ferron parried and then a Roberto Di Matteo long range effort but the keeper blocked. The Biancocelesti insisted and soon after Signori dummied a cross on a free kick but instead cleverly set up Gigi Casiraghi in front of goal, the centre-forward tried to lob the keeper who however read his intentions and saved. Diego Fuser then took a thundering long-range free kick but Ferron did well to stop it despite a slight deflection.

In the 14th minute Lazio went in front. Fuser took a corner from the left and Aron Winter jumped up on the front post and headed in, 1-0.

The Orobici almost equalised when a Sandro Tovalieri shot was deflected by Nando Orsi onto the post.

In the 42nd minute Signori with a through ball put Alen Boksic one-on-one with Ferron. The big Croat pushed the ball past the keeper who then pulled him down for a penalty. Signori took his habitual no run-up spot kick and sent Ferron the wrong way, 2-0.

At half time Lazio were deservedly two goals up.

In the second half the Bergamaschi came on more determined. They almost scored when Marco Sgrò burst into the area and hit a low, cross goal shot which Orsi touched behind for a corner with the tip of his fingers.

A few minutes later the visitors did score. In the 50th minute Domenico Morfeo astutely backheeled to Stefano Salvatori who ran into the area on the right and crossed low to Sandro Tovalieri who with another brilliant backheel flick beat Orsi, 2-1. Game on?

Not for long. A minute later Lazio regained a two-goal cushion. In the 51st minute Di Matteo pushed the ball to Boksic on the left side of the box and the "Alien", despite a seemingly impossible angle and being challenged by a defender, managed to put the ball over Ferron into the far top hand corner, 3-1

In the 54th minute the referee awarded Lazio a second penalty for Signori being held back by Mauro Valentini when about to shoot in front of Ferron. The diminutive forward, a Bergamasco himself, smashed a central penalty into the roof of the net, 4-1.

The contest was practically over. In the 61st minute Roberto Rambaudi came on for Casiraghi while in the 68th Dario Marcolin replaced Fuser and at the same time the Nerazzurri took off defender Cristiano Pavone and midfielder Morfeo and threw on midfielder Franco Rotella and forward Federico Pisani.

Atalanta tried to reduce the deficit but Orsi was reactive on a José Herrera header which he punched over for a corner.

Lazio too had more chances but Signori maybe did not want to "hat-trick" his co-regionals.

In the 85th minute the Dea made one last change, bringing on Marco Zanchi for Salvatori.

There was still time for one last Lazio goal. In the 88th minute Signori teed up Boksic on the left in front of Ferron, the keeper dived low and the ball spun up into the air where Winter was ready to head it, 5-1.

A convincing win by the Biancocelesti. The trio Winter-Boksic-Signori in particular had worked well but the whole team had looked sharp.

Lazio were now 4th on 25 points, they had overtaken Juventus on 24.

Atalanta were 7th on 22 points.

Who played for Lazio

Orsi, Gottardi, Nesta, Di Matteo, Negro, Chamot, Signori, Fuser (68' Marcolin), Casiraghi (61' Rambaudi), Winter, Boksic

Substitutes: F.Mancini, Bergodi, Piovanelli

Manager: Zeman

Who played for Atalanta

Ferron, Herrera, Montero, Valentini, Paganin, Salvatori (85' Zanchi), Fortunato, Sgrò, Pavone (68' Rotella), Tovalieri, Morfeo (68' Pisani)

Substitutes: Pinato, Mutarelli

Manager: Mondonico

Referee: Stafoggia

Goals: 14' Winter, 43' Signori (pen), 50' Tovalieri, 51' Boksic, 54' Signori (pen), 87' Winter

What happened next

Lazio finished a positive joint 3rd (Fiorentina) and qualified for the UEFA Cup. In the remaining matches they won 10 (including Roma 1-0, Fiorentina and Cagliari 4-0 at home), drew 4 and lost 5. A good season with several great wins but also too much inconsistency and too many unexpected defeats to challenge for the Champions League positions. The top scorer was Beppe Signori with 26 goals (24 in A).

Atalanta faded and finished 13th. In the next 19 games they won 5 (including Roma 2-1), drew 2 and lost 12 (including Lazio 1-3). The top scorer was Domenico Morfeo with 12 goals (11 in A).

In the Coppa Italia they reached the final eliminating Bologna 3-1 on aggregate. In the double legged final however they lost 0-3 to Fiorentina (0-1, 0-2).

Of today's squad Massimo Mutarelli would one day play for Lazio, from 2006-2008 and score in the 3-0 derby of December 10, 2006.

The Scudetto was won by Milan (15th title) while Padova, Cremonese, Bari and Torino went down to Serie B. Padova have never been back while Bari came straight back up again but their last appearance was in 2011.

Let's talk about Emiliano Mondonico

Today we will talk about an opponent manager of many battles.

Emiliano Mondonico was born in Rivolta d'Adda (Cremona), on March 9, 1947. His family ran an old-style restaurant (trattoria).

He started playing football for his local club Rivoltana but his first professional club was nearby Cremonese.

He played for the Lombard Grigiorossi for two seasons between 1966 and 1968. The Violini were in Serie C and finished 18th (relegated) and then 1st (promoted). He played 46 league games with 19 goals (top scorer with 17 in 2nd season). The managers were Danilo Ravani with former Lazio player Carlo Facchin in the relegation year and Manlio Bacigalupo in the promotion season.

His excellent second season with Cremonese earned him a move to Torino in Serie A. He stayed two seasons but only played 14 league games with 2 goals (Pisa, Fiorentina), 7 in Coppa Italia with 3 goals (Reggiana, Modena, Verona) and 3 in the Cup Winners Cup with 1 goal (Partizani, Albania). The Granata finished 6th and 7th. His managers were Edmondo Fabbri and Giancarlo Cadè. His teammates included Lazio connections: Giambattista Moschino (1962-63, 1971-73) and another Carlo Facchin (1971-72) plus future manager colleagues Aldo Agroppi and Bruno Bolchi. He also played with Toro greats: Lido Vieri, Natalino Fossati, Giorgio Ferrini, Claudio Sala and Paolino Pulici.

In 1970 Mondonico signed for Monza and stayed one season. The Brianzoli were in Serie B and finished 15th, under manager Gigi Radice. He played 23 league games and was top scorer with 7 goals. His teammates included Lazio connections Guido Onor (1968-69) and Carlo Soldo (1967-69).

In 1971-72 Mondonico played a season with Atalanta in Serie A. The manager was future Lazio, Giulio Corsini and the Nerazzurri finished 10th. Mondonico only played 2 league games. The squad included future coaching colleagues Ottavio Bianchi and Giuseppe Vavassori.

In 1972 Mondonico returned to Cremonese and stayed another seven seasons. The Grigiorossi were in Serie C and finished 6th, 7th, 6th, 2nd, 1st (promoted), 18th (relegated) and 9th. He played 178 league games and scored 69 goals. His managers included Battista Rota (four seasons), Stefano Angeleri and Giovanni Galeone. His teammates included Antonio Cabrini, Walter Novellino, Cesare Prandelli and Domenico Marocchino.

He then retired at 32 but went straight into coaching.

He started in Cremona with the youth setup. In April 1982 he was promoted to the first team and then stayed four full seasons. Cremonese were in Serie B and finished 10th, 3rd, 3rd (promoted), 16th (relegated) and 9th. His players included, Gianluca Vialli, Juary, and Wladyslaw Zmuda plus Lazio connections; Filippo Citterio (1979-81), Stefano Di Chiara (1973-76), Mauro Meluso (1982-1984) and Attilio Lombardo (1999-2001).

In 1986 he became Como manager in Serie A. The Lariani finished a decent 10th. The squad included former Lazio, Enrico Todesco (1979-80).

In 1987 he returned to Bergamo and joined Atalanta in Serie B. He immediately won promotion (4th place) and then finished 6th and 7th in A. He also helped them reach the semi-final of the Cup Winners Cup in 1988 (eventual winners Malines 2-4). He coached Lazio connections; Aldo Cantarutti (1978-79), Oliviero Garlini (1984-86).

In 1990 he returned to another former club, Torino in Serie A. He stayed four seasons finishing 5th, 3rd, 9th and 8th. In 1991 the Granata won the Mitropa Cup, in 1992 reached the UEFA Cup final but lost to Ajax on away goals and in 1993 won the Coppa Italia (Roma on away goals). His squads included Lazio connections; Angelo Gregucci (1986-93), Amarildo (1989-90), Raffaele Sergio (1989-92), Roberto Cravero (1992-95), Luca Marchegiani (1993-2003), Giorgio Venturin (1994-95, 1996-99), Ivano Della Morte (1994, 1995), Giuseppe Pancaro (1997-2003) Christian Vieri (1998-99) and Dino Baggio (2000-03).

In 1994 he made another return to Atalanta in Serie B. He stayed another four seasons. He won promotion the first year (4th) and then finished 13th, 10th and 16th (relegated). He coached former Lazio Giampaolo Saurini (1988-89, 1990-91, 1993), Luciano Zauri (2003-08, 2011-13) plus future Biancocelesti Massimo Mutarelli and Christian Vieri.

In 1998 he went back to Torino in Serie B. He won promotion (2nd) but then finished 15th and relegated. The squads included former Lazio, Roberto Bacci (1990-95) Mauro Bonomi (1992-95) and Alessandro Grandoni (1995-98).

In November 2000 he took over at Napoli, replacing sacked Zdenek Zeman. He could not avoid the Partenopei getting relegated as they finished 17th. The squad included future Lazio midfielder Francelino Matuzalém (2008-13).

In November 2001 he took over at Cosenza in Serie B but was replaced in May. He was called back in December 2002 but was sacked again in February 2003.

In February 2004 he came in at Fiorentina in Serie B. Mondonico had supported the Viola from his childhood so this was a dream come true. The Gigliati finished 6th but won promotion via the playoffs (Perugia 2-1 on aggregate). His players included on loan Lazio player, Christian Manfredi (2002-03, 2004-11).

The following year in Serie A he continued with Fiorentina but was soon replaced in October (W1, D4, L2).

His next job was from February 2006 with Albinoleffe (Bergamo) in Serie B. The Blucelesti finished 18th. He stayed on the next season and the Seriani came 10th. The squad included future Lazio goalkeeper, Federico Marchetti (2011-2018).

In 2007 he returned home to Cremonese in C1. The Grigiorossi finished 2nd but lost in the playoffs (Cittadella 2-3 on aggregate).

In December 2008 he was called back by Cremonese but he was replaced in March. Cremonese eventually finished 9th.

In September 2009 he took over at Albinoleffe (from former Lazio player, Armando Madonna) in Serie B early in the season and finished 11th. He stayed on the following season but due to health problems had to take leave halfway and hand the team to his assistant Daniele Fortunato. The Blucelesti finished 18th and stayed up via the playouts (Piacenza on away goals).

After a break and treatment, he returned in February 2012 at Novara in Serie A. He only stayed 6 league games (21-26) -W1 (Inter away), D2, L3). This was his last coaching experience.

As a player he was a forward. He played 263 league games and scored 97 league goals. He is still Cremonese's top scorer in their history with 88 goals. He was a talented forward but was inconsistent, perhaps not reaching the levels his skills could have led him to.

He was a highly respected club coach in Italy. He won five promotions to Serie A, a Coppa Italia and reached a UEFA Cup final. He did well particularly with Atalanta and Torino. He never had a team that could challenge for the title but was often called the "king of the outsiders", the coach who took the Italian provinces to Europe.

Mondonico died on March 29, 2018, in Milan. He was defeated by the cancer he had been battling on and off since 2011.

Sources

Lazio Wiki

Wikipedia