Long John Silences Foggia

Simon Basten
Jan 20, 2023
2 min read

Season 1973-74

Game 14, Serie A

Sunday, January 20, 1974

Stadio Pino Zaccheria, Foggia

Foggia Lazio 0-1

Chinaglia’s 86th-Minute Free-Kick Sends Lazio Back to the Summit

Source Carlo Emiliano Buffarini photo archive on Lazio Wiki

Lazio started slowly, but gained momentum after winning the derby coming from behind. After the ninth fixture they had joined Juventus and Napoli at the top and a week later they reached the solitary lead but a week before today’s game they had lost at home with Torino and Juventus had joined them at the top.

The match

Lazio went down to the Zaccheria with a chip on their shoulder after the bitter home defeat to Torino. Tommaso Maestrelli had to do without the injured Luciano Re Cecconi, whose place was taken by Fausto Inselvini, a true utility man, as well as Sergio Petrelli. Foggia, worthy of their 15 points, went in search of a major upset that would have lifted them to unexpected heights.

The match was played at a high tempo and with great intensity. In the 11th minute, the Apulians appealed for a penalty for a foul by Luigi Polentes on Silvano Villa, but referee Torelli gestured to play on. Lazio absorbed Foggia’s bursts with discipline, playing mainly on the counterattack. On the half-hour mark, a fine free kick by Giorgio Chinaglia crashed into the wall. There was plenty of play in midfield, but few shots from either side.

In the second half, Maestrelli instructed Inselvini to mark Giorgio Rognoni tightly, and Foggia’s game suffered considerably as they were deprived of their guiding light. The Rossoneri faded and Chinaglia had a great chance to score: a cross from Renzo Garlaschelli found the head of “Long John,” but with the goal gaping his effort was cleared off the line by Giovanni Pirazzini in a desperate intervention.

In the 86th minute, after Chinaglia was brought down, the referee awarded a free kick on the edge of the area. Mario Frustalupi played it short to Long John, who fired a razor-sharp shot inside the post, silencing the stadium. The Apulians reeled from the blow and were unable to create any real danger for the Biancoceleste defence thereafter.

Lazio won 1–0 and, thanks to Fiorentina’s 2–0 victory over Juventus, returned to sole possession of the top spot in the league standings.

Who played for Foggia

Trentini, Cimenti, Colla, Pirazzini, Bruschini, Valente, S.Villa, Del Neri, Rognoni, F.Liguori, Pavone

Substitutes: Burnelli, L.Villa, Golin

Manager: Toneatto

Who played for Lazio

Pulici, Polentes, Martini, Wilson, Oddi, Nanni, Garlaschelli, Inselvini, Chinaglia, Frustalupi, D’Amico