top of page
Search

December 5, 1982: Lazio Varese 2-0

Writer's picture: Dag JenkinsDag Jenkins
Dec 5, 20248 min read

Six in a row!


Lazio go three points clear at top with 2-0 victory


Also on this day:

Source Lazio Wiki

The season so far


Lazio in their third consecutive year in Serie B, after the betting scandal and relegation of 1979-80, had renewed ambitions this year. The previous season had been a depressingly mediocre 11th place but with the return of striker Bruno Giordano and midfielder Lionello Manfredonia (after the world Cup win armistice) they could finally see some light at the end of the tunnel.


The main players who had joined Lazio were goalkeeper Fernando Orsi (Parma), defenders Renato Miele (Catania), Gabriele Podavini (Brescia) and Marco Saltarelli (Lodigiani), midfielders Enrico Vella (Catania) and Roberto Tavola (Juventus- on loan) plus forward Claudio Ambu (Perugia).


Players to leave were the scudetto legends of 1974, keeper  Felice Pulici and attacking winger Renzo Garlaschelli plus defenders Giorgio Mastropasqua (Catania), Dario Pighin (Taranto), midfielders Alberto Bigon (Vicenza), Dario Sanguin  (Perugia), Fernando Viola (Genoa) and forwards Lorenzo Marronaro (Monza) and Walter Speggiorin (Massese).


This reshuffling of the squad plus the return of clearly superior level players such as Giordano and Manfredonia, added to the talent of fan favourite Vincenzo D'Amico, gave the whole Lazio environment renewed enthusiasm and optimism.

 

Roberto Clagluna, who had taken over from Ilario Castagner half way through the previous season, had been confirmed.

 

The season started in August-September in the Coppa Italia and Lazio were eliminated after 2 wins (Perugia 3-2 at home and Salernitana 3-2 away), 1 draw (Atalanta 0-0 at home) and 2 defeats (Avellino 1-2 away and Napoli 1-2 at home).

 

In the league Lazio got off to a slow start (3 draws) but then started winning games (6 consecutive between 7th fixture and today). Lazio were currently top of the table on 19 points, one point ahead of Milan and three points ahead of 4th placed Arezzo.

 

Varese had finished 4th in Serie B, narrowly missing out on promotion under Eugenio Fascetti. One crucial defeat came against Lazio in the penultimate game of the season when they lost 2-3 after being 2-0 up. Top scorer was Gaetano Auteri with 7 league goals.

 

This season the manager was still Fascetti. There were however a few novelties in the squad. Arriving were defenders Marco Cecilli (back from Bologna) and Luca Moz (Fiorentina), midfielder Pietro Maiellaro (Avellino-on loan) plus forward Luca Mattei (Cerretese).

 

Leaving were defender Massimo Arrighi (Arezzo), midfielders Bruno Limido (Avellino- end of loan) and Ennio Mastalli (Catania), Massimo Mauti (Perugia).

 

In Coppa Italia in the summer the Biancorossi had qualified for the last 16 and would play Inter in February. Varese had won 2 (Brescia 2-1 away and Ascoli 3-1 at home) and drawn 3 (Sampdoria 0-0 and Triestina 1-1 away and Pistoiese 1-1 at home).

 

In Serie B things were not going so well. After 1 win, 8 draws and 3 defeats the Bosini were currently in joint 14th place with Pistoiese and Reggiana on 10 points. The last relegation place however was only one point lower, Foggia on 9 points.

 

Lazio were flying after six consecutive wins and Varese were struggling. More of the same today?


The match: Sunday, December 5, 1982, Stadio Olimpico, Rome


A sunny but cold day attracted just under 40,000 fans to the Olimpico this afternoon.

 

Lazio had no injury problems and nor did Varese. The Biancocelesti had defender Arcadio Spinozzi back after six months.

 

Lazio started well and Vincenzo D'Amico hit a crossbar in the 4th minute.

 

Varese were very well organised and also did not hesitate in playing rough to stop Lazio.

 

Lazio had several chances but lacked precision when it came to shooting. Bruno Giordano was also slightly selfish, trying to resolve things alone. Halftime came with Lazio well on top but being held to 0-0 by a hard-battling Varese.

 

The second half was no different. Lazio forward and Varese resisting. Lazio’s biggest chance came in the 58th minute but Claudio Ambu was off target from an inviting position.

 

The breakthrough came in the 67th minute. Lionello Manfredonia combined well with Renato Miele and charged forward on the left, beating two defenders, he then crossed low to Giordano who scored from close range. Lazio 1 Varese 0.

 

At this point the visitors made two changes: defender Paolo Misuri for Aldo Cerantola and midfielder Giampiero Scaglia for Franco Turchetta.

 

It was Lazio however who scored again. An Ambu-Giordano one two put the Roman striker in front of Michelangelo Rampulla who he chipped with a delicate touch, the ball hit the crossbar and bounced possibly already over the line but any doubt was eliminated by defender Marco Cecilli bungling it in. Lazio 2 Varese 0.

 

Lazio almost scored again especially with D'Amico but the "Golden Boy" abused his extraordinary talent by trying too many dribblings.

 

In the 79th minute Roberto Badiani replaced a tired Enrico Vella.

 

It was only in the last five minutes that the Biancorossi finally threatened. In the 86th minute Gaetano Auteri mishit a header from a good position and a minute later Fernando Orsi pulled off a great save on a long-range Gabriele Bongiorni effort.

 

It was too little too late and Lazio cruised to a routine win. Final score Lazio 2 Varese 0.

 

The whole team had played well with special mentions for Manfredonia who had an excellent box to box game and Gabriele Podavini who was tireless up and down the right wing.

 

Lazio were now three points ahead of Milan who had lost 0-1 at Como. Things were looking good. Seven consecutive wins and keeper Fernando Orsi unbeaten for 634 minutes.

 

Varese were now joint 16th with Perugia, with only three teams behind them.

 

Who played for Lazio


Substitutes: Moscatelli, Tavola, Surro, Chiodi

Manager: Clagluna

 

Who played for Varese


Rampulla, Vincenzi, Braghin, Strappa, Cecilli, Cerantola (69' Misuri), Turchetta (69' Scaglia), Bongiorni, Di Giovanni, Salvadè, Auteri

Substitutes: Zunico, Scarsella

Manager: Fascetti

 

Referee: Leni


Goals: 67' Giordano, 73' Cecilli (og)


What happened next


Lazio's winning streak ended a week later with a 0-0 away draw at Reggiana. They then drew the big match against Milan 2-2 with a last-minute D'Amico equaliser.

 

Things seemed to be under control and at the halfway point Lazio were still league leaders ahead of Milan and with a five-point cushion on 4th place.

 

In the return fixtures however, Lazio started to struggle. From January 30 to May 8th, Lazio only won twice (Cremonese, Bari), with 8 draws and 4 defeats (Campobasso, Monza, Pistoiese, Varese). After the 3-3 home draw against Reggiana on May 8, Clagluna was sacked and in came former player Giancarlo "El Gaucho" Morrone.

 

His first match was a 1-5 away defeat to Milan. To make things worse Roma the same day won the Scudetto and the town was painted red and yellow.

 

Then luckily Lazio picked up and in a crucial game beat Atalanta 2-1 at home, drew 0-0 at Arezzo and then won the fundamental promotion clash against Catania 2-1 at home. All that was needed then was a point away at Cava de' Tirreni.

 

Lazio got the point. A week later they drew 2-2 against Cavese (Miele, Marini). They had a scare when Cavese equalised with a penalty four minutes from time but luckily the "Metelliani Blufoncé (The Dark- Blues) did not go on to spoil Lazio's party.

 

After three difficult years in Serie B Lazio were back in the big time. The Biancocelesti side of town took to the streets of Rome to celebrate and gathered at Piazza del Popolo. It was not a Scudetto but it almost felt like it. Top scorer was Bruno Giordano with 21 goals (18 in league).

 

It had not been an easy ride and Lazio's second part of the season was not as positive as the first but they had enough talent to get them over the line and win promotion with a 2nd place finish on 46 points, behind Milan but one point more than a trio on 45.

 

Despite Roma's triumph things were looking up especially with the confirmed return of "Long John" Chinaglia from the States as new president, but that's another story.

 

Varese improved and finished 10th. For the last two games Mario Barluzzi replaced Fascetti but Varese were already safe. After today's game they won 8 (including Lazio 2-1), drew 11 and lost 6. Top scorers were Auteri, Bongiorni and Turchetta with 4 league goals each.

 

In the Coppa Italia Varese put up a fight beating Inter 1-0 at home but lost 1-2 on aggregate.

 

Lazio went up with league winners Milan and Catania (after three-team playoff with Cremonese and Como). Emilia and Puglia mourned the relegations of Bologna, Reggiana, Foggia and Bari.


Let's talk about Maurizio Scarsella


Source Lazio Wiki

Maurizio Scarsella was born in Rome on March 28, 1962.

 

His first club at youth level were Urbetevere but in 1973 he joined Lazio.

 

He went through all the various age group teams and in 1978-79 won a Coppa Italia with the Primavera (U19's).

 

On May 4 1980 he made his Serie A debut in a 0-1 away defeat to Torino. He was called up from the youth side due to the "Calcio scommesse" betting scandal which had deprived Lazio of four first team players (Cacciatori, Wilson, Manfredonia and Giordano). He also played the following Sunday against Milan in a 0-2 defeat.

 

Lazio had already managed to stay up on the pitch but were then punished with relegation for their players' alleged involvement in the betting ring.

 

He was considered an extremely talented and promising player and he hoped to continue with the first team the following season too. New manager Ilario Castagner however did not call him up for the pre-season training camp and he was forced to go back to the Primavera team coached by Roberto Clagluna.

 

Scarsella then asked to be sold. Behind this request was a difficult family situation as both his parents were unwell and unable to work. Scarsella needed to earn money.

 

The best offer came from Triestina but Lazio refused to let him go. He spent the season with Lazio Primavera apart from one game in Coppa Italia with the first team.

 

In 1981 however, he was sold to Teramo in Serie C2 where he played 15 games with 1 goal. The Diavoli finished 5th.

 

In 1982-83 he played for Varese in Serie B. The manager was future Lazio legend Eugenio Fascetti and Scarsella played 18 games with 3 goals. The Bosini finished 10th.

 

His career then took him to Foligno in 1983-84 in Serie C1 but the Falchetti (Falcons) were relegated. He was the club top league scorer with 7 goals. One of his teammates was former Lazio, Mauro Manzoni (1979-81).

 

In 1984-85 he was at Reggiana in Serie C1. The manager was Franco Fontana and the Granata finished 5th. Scarsella scored 3 league goals. He stayed on the next season and la Regia finished 4th but he did not feature much.

 

In 1986-87 he spent a year at Messina in Serie B. The manager was Franco Scoglio and the Giallorossi finished 7th. Scarsella only played 5 matches all in Coppa Italia. His teammates included Italia '90 top scorer Totò Schillaci.

 

The rest of his fading career was spent at Campania-Puteolana, Frosinone, Lodigiani, Chieti and Cuneo. He retired in 1990 at 28.

 

In his youth Scarsella was considered a potential rising star. He was a natural talent. He was strong physically and had a sublime left foot. Former Lazio Bruno Giordano who became Scarsella's friend compared it to Sinisa Mihajlovic's.

 

His problem, like many talented young players, was that he was not dedicated enough to his football. He was a good-looking lad and he took full advantage of his looks and status.

 

He died prematurely, of AIDS, at 31 on September 26 1993.


Lazio Career

Season

Total appearances

Serie A

Coppa Italia

1979-80

2

2

-

1980-81

1

-

1

Total

3

2

1

Sources




Comments

bottom of page