February 19, 1984: Lazio -Sampdoria 2-1
- Dag Jenkins
- 11 hours ago
- 10 min read
Hope for Batista and Lazio
The Biancocelesti with a first goal by the Brazilian and a D'Amico penalty climb out of the drop zone
The season so far
Lazio were finally back in Serie A after three difficult years in the second division, the "purgatory" of Serie B.
The legendary Giorgio Chinaglia was back as president with promises of massive American partners investing in Lazio's bright future.
The summer market had seen major changes to the squad. The main arrivals were defenders Daniele Filisetti (Atalanta), Massimo Piscedda (back from loan-Sanremese), midfielders Joāo Batista (Palmeiras and Brazilian national), Angelo Cupini (Cavese), Rinaldo Piraccini (Pistoiese), Claudio Vinazzani (Napoli) plus forward Michael Laudrup (loan for 2 years- Juventus).
So apart from a young Laudrup and the experience of Batista, not much to get excited about, but at this point the Laziali had blind faith in Long John Chinaglia. The "new" manager brought in by the owner was old acquaintance Juan Carlos Morrone, confirmed from the previous year's promotion. At this stage of the season however, he had already been replaced by Paolo Carosi in December.
Leaving Lazio were several Serie B faithfuls: keeper Maurizio Moscatelli (Cavese- he never really recovered from his serious injury), defenders Ernesto Calisti (loan-Cavese), Carlo Perrone and Paolo Pochesci (both to Ascoli), Marco Saltarelli (Monza), midfielders Roberto Badiani (Vigor Senigallia), Maurizio Montesi (retired), Roberto Tavola (end of loan-Juventus), forwards Claudio Ambu (Monza), Stefano Chiodi (Prato) and Leonardo Surro (Siena).
No great losses for various reasons: injuries (Moscatelli and Montesi), age (Badiani), unfulfilled potential (Pochesci, Perrone and Saltarelli) or lack of Serie A quality (Chiodi, Tavola and Surro). The one player Lazio fans were extremely sad to see leave was Enrico Vella when he left in the autumn for Atalanta.
The season started with the Coppa Italia in August-September and Lazio were eliminated. The Biancocelesti won 1 (Perugia 2-0 at home), drew 3 (Catanzaro and Bari 0-0 away and Juventus 1-1 at home).
Serie A so far had predictably not been easy either. Lazio lost on their debut 2-4 away at Verona but young Michael Laudrup had got two late goals, already showing his superior quality. They then beat Inter 3-0 at home maybe deluding on their realistic potential.
Since that, the season had been problematic and Lazio were in the thick of a desperate relegation battle after 3 more wins, 5 draws and 9 defeats. Lazio were 14th, on 13 points with Genoa. The Biancocelesti were only one point from safety but at the moment they would be down. They really needed the two points today against mid-table Sampdoria.
Sampdoria had finished 7th in Serie A under Renzo Ulivieri. The highlights were defeating Juventus 1-0 at home and Inter 2-1 away while both derbies were draws. The top scorer was Alessandro Scanziani with 10 goals (8 in A).
This season the manager was still Ulivieri. The main new signings were: goalkeeper Ivano Bordon (Inter, after 14 seasons), defenders Fausto Pari (Parma) and Pietro Vierchowod (Roma) plus midfielders Roberto Galia (Como) and Domenico Marocchino (Juventus).
Leaving were goalkeepers Guido Bistazzoni (Pistoiese) and Paolo Conti (Bari), defenders Dario Bonetti (Roma), Mauro Ferroni (Verona, after 8 seasons), Salvatore Vullo (Avellino) plus midfielders Domenico Maggiora (Cagliari) and Paolo Rosi (Modena).
In the late summer Coppa Italia, Doria had got through the first group phase with 3 wins (Pistoiese 4-1, Pisa 1-0 at home and Campania 3-1away), 1 draw (Cremonese 0-0 away) and 1 defeat (Triestina 0-1 away). In the last 16 they had beaten Ascoli 1-0 at home and the away return leg would be on February 22.
In Serie A the Blucerchiati were currently 8th, on 20 points with Inter (only four from a potential UEFA qualification). They had won 8 (including Inter and Juventus 2-1 away and the derby 2-0), drawn 4 (including Lazio 1-1) and lost 7.
Not an easy game for Lazio against solid mid-table opponents but the Biancocelesti were desperate for a win.
The match: Sunday, February 19, 1984, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
A slightly hazy but sunny day in Rome attracted a crowd of about 40,000 to the Olimpico.
Lazio were without long term injured Bruno Giordano.
Sampdoria had several absences: defender Alessandro Renica, midfielder Francesco Casagrande plus striker Trevor Francis.
Lazio got off to a dream start. In the 4th minute Brazilian midfielder Joāo Batista finally showed his worth, burst past two defenders, flew into the box and beat Ivano Bordon coming off his line with a precise low strike, 1-0.
Sampdoria had problems getting into the game as, despite Liam Brady being busy in midfield, the forwards seemed to be having an off day. On the other hand, the Lazio defenders were solid and concentrated.
Then, just before halftime, out of the blue the visitors equalised. In the 44th minute Brady crossed from the left but no-one got a head to it and it fell to Luca Pellegrini on the right by-line, the Lombard defender put a high looping ball across goal to the far post where Roberto Mancini pounced and scored, 1-1. The Laziali claimed the ball had gone out but the goal stood.
In the second half Lazio continued to look the better side and Sampdoria gradually faded even more. Michael Laudrup in particular was causing hardened defender Pietro Vierchowod all sorts of problems.
In the 63rd minute Lazio were awarded a penalty for a clear foul by Alessandro Scanziani on Giancarlo Marini. The responsibility of the spot kick was taken by Vincenzo D'Amico who blasted a low shot to Bordon's right, 2-1.
Four minutes later the Biancocelesti almost made it three but Laudrup's effort came back off the post.
Sampdoria continued in their apathy and their pressure failed to produce anything remotely dangerous.
In the 83rd minute the Blucerchiati took off forward Alviero Chiorri and introduced midfielder Giovanni Picasso while Lazio in the 89th minute put on Renato Miele for Arcadio Spinozzi to help weather the final aerial attacks. They did so successfully and clinched a crucial and deserved win.
A convincing performance by Lazio while Sampdoria, even taking into acount their absences, had been disappointing. The best news for Lazio apart from the two points was finally the good game by Brazilian midfielder Batista.
Lazio were now 12th, on 15 points with Napoli and one above the drop zone (Avellino on 14).
Sampdoria were 9th, on 20 points with Ascoli.
Next up for Lazio was the derby against Italian champions Roma...
Who played for Lazio
Orsi, Spinozzi (89' Miele), Filisetti, Piscedda, Batista, Podavini, Vinazzani, Manfredonia, D'Amico, Laudrup, Marini
Substitutes: Cacciatori, Cupini, Piga, Meluso
Manager: Carosi
Who played for Sampdoria
Bordon, Pellegrini, Bellotto, Pari, Vierchowod, Guerrini, Chiorri (83' Picasso), Scanziani, Mancini, Brady, Zanone
Substitutes: Rosin, Gambaro, Aguzzoli, Marocchino
Manager: Ulivieri
Referee: Bergamo
Goals: 4' Batista, 44' Mancini, 63' D'Amico (pen)
What happened next
In the next eight games Lazio won 2, drew 3 (including derby 2-2 against all odds) and lost 3 but then beat Ascoli 2-1 for a fundamental two points.
So, it was all down to the final game under the leaning tower of Pisa. Catania and Pisa were already down while Genoa on 23 and Lazio on 24 still had hope. Only one of them would stay up. Genoa had Juventus at home but the Bianconeri had already won and celebrated the league title.
A mass exodus of Lazio fans accompanied the team to Tuscany. The Arena Garibaldi was almost entirely light blue and white.
Things seemed to be looking up when the radios announced Juventus had taken the lead with Antonio Cabrini at Marassi after 7 minutes. Only three minutes later however, Genoa equalised with a Beniamino Vignola own goal. Back to square one until, only a minute later, Bruno-Gol scored for Lazio, with a header from a D'Amico free kick. Half time Pisa-Lazio 0-1 and Genoa-Juventus 1-1; Lazio 26 points, Genoa 24. Things were looking good.
At the beginning of the second half however, Pisa equalised with a controversial goal by Danish Klaus Bergreen who seemed to score with his arm. So, 1-1 but Lazio were still safe.
Pisa pushed forward looking to go down with dignity and a win. Luca Birigozzi in the 52nd minute shot over the bar from a favourable position and five minutes later he had the mother of all chances. He found himself with an open goal with only Lazio's Batista on the goal line but somehow managed to get his shot cleared by the Brazilian. One of those chances that are easier to score than miss.
Having seen hell's door opening Lazio turned up the pressure and were rewarded in the 67th minute. Manfredonia was fouled in the area for a clear penalty. Giordano's low spot kick was not impeccable but went under keeper Alessandro Mannini for the 2-1.
Lazio then got a third, but Laudrup had his goal ruled out for offside. Still, going into the last two or three minutes the situation seemed under control, Lazio were winning and Genoa drawing.
Then in the 89th minute Stefano Bosetti scored for Genoa against the Italian Champions, Juventus. No panic, Lazio were still a point ahead. Then in the 90th minute Pisa equalised with Ferruccio Mariani. Lazio 25 points Genoa 25 points.
A very tense few minutes of injury time saw Lazio hold on for their sacred point. Lazio were safe. The decider would not be goal difference (as in UK for example) but the direct matches in the league (0-0 and 2-1 to Lazio). The win over Genoa in January turned out to be a lifesaver for Lazio.
The fans were ecstatic and Chinaglia went down to the pitch to celebrate with the fans.
On the way home on the motorway, Long John bombed past us in his Jaguar, with Felice Pulici, waving and honking his car horn in celebration at our supporters bus. All was good.
Lazio stayed in Serie A after 8 wins, 9 draws and 13 defeats. The top scorers were Laudrup and Giordano with 8 league goals.
All may have been good for now, but dark clouds were already looming in Lazio's future, but that's another story.
Sampdoria finished 7th, on 32 points (3 from Europe). In the remaining games they won 4, drew 4 (including Juventus and Milan 1-1 at home and derby 0-0) and lost 2. The top scorer was future Lazio, Roberto Mancini with 10 goals (8 in A).
In the Coppa Italia, the Blucerchiati then drew 2-2 away at Ascoli and qualified for the quarterfinals where they lost to Torino on away goals.
The Scudetto was won by Juventus for their 21st title. As mentioned, the teams Lazio had fought so hard to avoid as traveling companions on a trip down under, but definitely less exotic than Australia, were Pisa, Catania and Genoa.
Let’s talk about Liam Brady
Today in our opponents series we will talk about a great Irish midfielder
William Brady, known as Liam, was born in Dublin, on February 13, 1956.
He started playing in Ireland with St.Kevin's Boys and then Home Farm before joining the Arsenal academy in London in 1970.
In 1973 he joined the Gunners first team squad and stayed seven seasons. He played 235 league games and scored 43 goals. In 1979 he won the FA Cup defeating Manchester United at Wembley. In 1979 he also won the PFA award (Players' Player of the Year). Arsenal reached the final of the Cup Winners Cup in 1980 but lost to Valencia on penalties. His managers at Highbury were Bertie Mee (1973-76) and Terry Neill (1976-80).
In 1980, with the reopening of the "borders" in Italian football, he joined Serie A giants Juventus. He stayed two seasons and won two league titles under Giovanni Trapattoni. He played 57 league games with 13 goals (Inter, Udinese, Bologna x2, Torino, Perugia, Catanzaro, Pistoiese, Avellino, Como, Torino, Inter, Catanzaro), 11 in Coppa Italia with 1 goal (Perugia) and 8 in Europe with 1 goal (Widzew Lódź). In 1982, with the arrivals of Zbigniew Boniek and Michel Platini, he left Turin but stayed in Serie A.
In the summer of 1982 Brady joined Sampdoria. He stayed in the Ligurian capital for two seasons. He made 57 league appearances with 6 goals (Pisa, Ascoli, Fiorentina, Juventus home and away, Udinese) and 14 in Coppa Italia. The Doriani finished 7th twice under Renzo Ulivieri. He played alongside future Lazio, Roberto Mancini, Luca Brunetti and fellow English speaker Trevor Francis.
In 1984 he moved to Inter and stayed two seasons. He played 58 league games with 5 goals (Cremonese, Sampdoria, Napoli, Milan, Torino), 20 in Coppa Italia with 5 goals (SPAL, Verona, Milan, Empoli, Roma) and 20 in Europe with 6 goals (Sportul Studențesc, HSV Hamburg, Real Madrid, LASK, Nantes, Real Madrid). In the first season the Nerazzurri finished 3rd under Ilario Castagner and reached the semifinals of the Coppa Italia and UEFA Cups, while in the second, under Castagner and then Mario Corso, they finished 6th and again were knocked out in the UEFA semis. At Inter he was teammates with future Lazio, Paolo Mandelli but also players such as Walter Zenga, Fulvio Collovati, Beppe Bergomi, Marco Tardelli, Alessandro Altobelli and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
In 1986 he joined his last Italian club Ascoli. He stayed one season, playing 17 league games. The Bianconeri finished 12th in Serie A, first under Aldo Sensibile and then from November Ilario Castagner. The highlights of the season were winning 1-0 both home and away against Milan and drawing 2-2 away at Juventus. Ascoli also won a trophy, the Mitropa Cup. In Ascoli his teammates included Lazio connections Giuseppe Greco and Carlo Perrone.
In 1987 he said goodbye to Italy and returned to London. He signed for West-Ham United and played three more seasons. He played 89 league games with 9 goals. The Hammers finished 16th, 19th (relegated) and 7th in the Second Division (now Championship). The Claret and Blues reached two League Cup semi-finals but lost to Luton Town and Oldham Athletic. His managers included John Lyall, Lou Macari and Ronnie Boyce.
At 34 Brady then retired.
He had also played 72 games for Ireland with 9 goals (Norway, France, Trinidad and Tobago, Holland, Malta x2, England, Belgium, Brazil) and was captain 12 times. In this time Ireland never managed to take part in a major tournament but Brady helped them qualify for the Italia '90 World Cup.
After retiring he worked as a manager. From June 1991 to October 1993 he was Celtic head coach. In his two full seasons "The Hoops" finished 3rd twice.
In December 1993 he took over at Brighton in the Second Division and finished 14th and 16th.
From 1996 to 2014 he worked in the Arsenal academy and at the same time from 2008-2010 was assistant manager to Giovanni Trapattoni with the Ireland national team.
Brady, known as "Chippy" from his early Arsenal years, was a midfield playmaker. He was a left-footed player who possessed excellent vision and timing which made up for his lack of speed. He was a strong player with good tackling skills and a reliable penalty taker.
He was a success in Italy. He won the Scudetto twice, stayed seven seasons and even spoke excellent Italian.
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