Giordano Strikes, Pulici Saves

Simon Basten

Oct 9, 2023

4 min read

Season 1976-77

Game 2, Serie A

Sunday, October 10, 1976

Stadio Comunale, Florence

Fiorentina Lazio 0-1

Giordano’s superb header gives Lazio victory in Florence, but an injury forces him off almost immediately turning the second half into a desperate defensive battle.

In Serie A, so far Lazio had lost 3-2 at home to Juventus playing rather well. Today was the second game.

The match

Lazio produced one of the most intelligent performances of the early 1976–77 season to win in Florence, beating Fiorentina 1–0 in their first away game of the championship.

Bruno Giordano's goal was a superb piece of opportunism and technique, but the victory owed just as much to the collective discipline of Luís Vinício's side. Lazio recognised their limitations, adapted their game to the opposition and, particularly in the first half, gave Fiorentina almost nothing.

The visitors' principal objective was to prevent Giancarlo Antognoni from dictating the game. Ciccio Cordova was primarily responsible for keeping the Fiorentina playmaker under control, while Roberto Badiani alternated with him in tracking the home side's most dangerous player. Luciano Re Cecconi protected the right side of midfield, while Vicenzo D'Amico kept close to Marco Rossinelli.

It worked.

Fiorentina, despite fielding three forwards in Gianfranco Casarsa, Claudio Desolati and Giuliano Bertarelli, struggled to create anything substantial. Lazio defended with a mixture of zonal and man-marking principles, maintaining a compact shape without becoming passive.

Wilson often positioned himself a step behind the other defenders, allowing him to make the kind of recovery challenges for which he was renowned.

At the back, young Lionello Manfredonia was outstanding.

Playing at stopper, Manfredonia appeared far beyond his years. He was decisive in the tackle, dominant in the air and remarkably composed whenever Fiorentina threatened. Desolati was effectively removed from the game, while Paolo Ammoniaci and Pietro Ghedin kept Bertarelli and Casarsa under control without abandoning their attacking responsibilities.

Lazio were also dangerous when they went forward.

Five minutes before the opening goal, Renzo Garlaschelli had already gone close after a prolonged move involving D'Amico. He had beaten the goalkeeper, only for Mauro Della Martira to clear his effort from the goal line.

Then, shortly after the half-hour mark, Lazio produced the move that ultimately decided the match.

Cordova carried the ball out of defence and found Re Cecconi, who took a few steps before opening the play towards Garlaschelli on the right. Garlaschelli released Ammoniaci, and the full-back accelerated all the way to the byline before delivering a long cross into the Fiorentina penalty area.

Giordano had already read what was coming.

Moving towards the left and slipping behind Della Martira, he found himself perfectly positioned as Ammoniaci's cross sailed over the defender. Giordano met it with a header, remarkably finding time to aim his effort towards the far side of the goal.

The ball flew past Massimo Mattolini and nestled inside the post.

Fiorentina 0–1 Lazio.

It was a goal of genuine quality, reminiscent of the header with which Pierino Prati had scored for Milan at Sampdoria the previous week. For Giordano, it was another sign that he was beginning to establish himself as a forward of real promise.

But his celebration lasted barely two minutes.

While attempting to control a high ball, Giordano suffered a strain to his right groin. He tried to continue after speaking to Vinício and club doctor Renato Ziaco, but he was clearly struggling and eventually had to leave the field towards the end of the first half. His place was taken by former Como forward Renzo Rossi.

Lazio nevertheless almost doubled their advantage before the interval, with Garlaschelli and Badiani both missing chances.

At half-time, Vinício's plan had worked almost perfectly.

After the break, however, the match changed completely.

Without Giordano, Lazio lost much of their movement up front. Rossi struggled to escape the close attention of Giancarlo Galdiolo and could not reproduce the pace and mobility of the injured Roman. Re Cecconi continued to cover enormous amounts of ground, but Lazio were increasingly forced backwards as Fiorentina launched wave after wave of attacks.

Antognoni began to find more space, while the home side looked increasingly desperate to force an equaliser.

Carlo Mazzone introduced Maurizio Restelli in the 58th minute, replacing Rossinelli, as Fiorentina increased the pressure. Lazio were now defending deep and frequently found themselves having to clear dangerous balls from crowded situations inside their own penalty area.

Their biggest escape came in the 76th minute.

Badiani allowed a ball to bounce behind him inside the area, giving Della Martira the opportunity to advance towards Pulici. The Fiorentina defender unleashed a fierce shot which beat the Lazio goalkeeper but struck the post.

It was the moment when Lazio came closest to surrendering their lead.

The pressure continued into the final minutes. Antognoni, despite having spent much of the afternoon trapped by Cordova and Badiani, still possessed the ability to produce something extraordinary. With two minutes remaining, he struck a ferocious free-kick that seemed destined for the corner.

But Felice Pulici had other ideas.

The Lazio goalkeeper launched himself towards the top corner and produced a spectacular save to preserve the lead.

It was the final major intervention in a match that had begun with Lazio controlling everything and ended with the visitors fighting desperately to protect the advantage Giordano had given them.

The young striker had provided the decisive touch; Manfredonia had looked like a veteran at the back; Re Cecconi had covered every blade of grass; Cordova and Badiani had neutralised Antognoni for long periods; and Pulici had supplied the save that finally secured the points.

Lazio had not overwhelmed Fiorentina.

They had outthought them.

Who played for Fiorentina

Mattolini, Galdiolo, Rossinelli (58' Restelli), E.Pellegrini, Della Martira, S.Zuccheri, Casarsa, Caso, Desolati, Antognoni, Bertarelli

Substitutes: Ginulfi, Tendi

Manager: Mazzone

Who played for Lazio

F.Pulici, Ammoniaci, Ghedin, Wilson, Manfredonia, Cordova, Garlaschelli, Re Cecconi, Giordano (43' R.Rossi), D'Amico, Badiani