First victory for Clagluna

Simon Basten
Feb 28, 2024
3 min read

Updated: 6 days ago

Season 1981-82

Game 23, Serie B

Sunday, February 28, 1982

Stadio Pino Zaccheria, Foggia

Foggia Lazio 0-1

A Vagheggi goal in the second half lifts Lazio out of trouble

Lazio were very inconsistent in the first half of the season but after 18 games they were just a couple of points off the promotion zone. But in the next game Lazio crumbled against Palermo and Ilario Castagner was sacked. He was replaced by the head coach of the Primavera team Roberto Clagluna, his first experience with an A team.

The defeat the previous week in the home game against Rimini had put the Biancocelesti in 10th place, five points away from promotion. A long way off.

The match

Lazio secured their first victory under Clagluna’s management, temporarily pushing away the deep crisis that had already led some to speak of a relegation battle for a team that had begun the season aiming to return to the top division in their second Serie B campaign.

A goal by Claudio Vagheggi in the 55th minute not only delivered the win against a tenacious, hard-fighting — and at times unfortunate — Foggia side, but also confirmed what the Lazio coach had said on the eve of the match: “I especially trust Viola and Vagheggi.” It is fair to say that both were among the best on the pitch. Vagheggi scored his 11th and match-winning goal, rewarding some of his coach’s tactical choices — including leaving Vincenzo D’Amico on the bench and bringing him on only two minutes from time, more to run down the clock than to make a real contribution.

Defensively, Lazio relied mainly on Dario Pighin and Paolo Pochesci, but Arcadio Spinozzi and Vincenzo Chiarenza also played authoritatively, along with goalkeeper Felice Pulici, who prevented what could have been goals on more than one occasion. In midfield, Roberto Badiani, Stefano Ferretti, Michele De Nadai and Alberto Bigon were reliable (the latter a former Foggia player, just as on the opposite side there was goalkeeper Aldo Nardin, who had little luck with Lazio last season). De Nadai’s return was positive, and Nando Viola’s work was commendable.

The match report speaks of good chances for Lazio, but also of Foggia initiatives, especially in the first half as they pushed hard for a goal. Antonio Rocca tried in the 14th minute (saved by Pulici). Then in the 19th minute Antonio Bordon missed from an easy position, and in the 27th minute he again forced Pulici into a difficult save. In the 29th minute Giuliano Musiello headed over the crossbar, and in the 39th Rocca’s shot was saved. In the 41st another header from Musiello was parried away.

In the second half, having come through the opening period unscathed, Lazio faced their opponents with greater determination and in the 55th minute reaped the rewards of that pressure. De Nadai delivered a cross, and in the centre of the penalty area Vagheggi was ready to strike on the volley and score. Ten minutes later Vagheggi had a good chance to double the lead, and in the 67th minute Viola forced Nardin into a difficult save.

The home side threw caution to the wind to try and equalise but their efforts were not enough. De Nadai tried to give them a hand after having argued with the referee who in reply showed him the red card in the 89th minute but the Biancocelesti held strong and brought home the two points.

Who played for Foggia

Nardin, Di Giovanni, Bianco, Conca, Stimpfl (63' Pozzato), Stanzione, Frigerio, A.Rocca, Musiello, Sciannimanico (75' Scalingi), A.Bordon

Substitutes: Bacio, D.Rossi, Petruzzelli

Manager: Veneranda (Nocera was on the bench)

Who played for Lazio

Pulici, Spinozzi, Chiarenza, Pochesci, Pighin, Badiani, Vagheggi (88' D'Amico), Bigon, Ferretti, De Nadai, Viola