January 10, 1965: Atalanta Lazio 1-1
- Simon Basten
- 15 hours ago
- 6 min read
A Point Earned with Character
Lazio hold Atalanta to a 1–1 draw despite adversity
The season so far
The previous season Lazio had done rather well. Coming back from the hell of two years in Serie B they had arrived eighth under manager Juan Carlos Lorenzo. The Argentinian was offered a contract renewal despite the club not having much money. He had agreed and given his word, but in a typical coup de theatre, he signed for Roma instead who offered him a large advance. Umberto Mannocci was the new head coach.
The terrible financial situation did not allow much as far as summer transfers were concerned. The club had to say goodbye to Massimo Giacomini (Genoa), Juan Carlo Morrone (Fiorentina), Egidio Fumagalli (Frosinone), Graziano Landoni (Atalanta), Mario Maraschi (Bologna) and Orlando Rozzoni (loan to Catania). The newcomers were midfielders Giampiero Vitali (Triestina), Can Bartu (Fiorentina), Eugenio Fascetti (Messina) and Kurt Christensen (Atalanta) and forwards Gianfranco Petris (Fiorentina), Giampaolo Piaceri (Genoa) and Antonio Renna (Bologna).
The season had opened with the first round of the Coppa Italia in early September and Lazio had won at Trani 3-0. In the second round later on in the month they faced Napoli. The match ended 0-0 and was also goalless after extra time. In those days there was no penalty shootout but a flip of the coin and the Biancocelesti lost the toss.
It had not been a good season so far. Lazio were 14th with Genoa on 12 points, two points above the relegation zone. Today they had to play against Atalanta, it was important to bring back at least a point.
The match: Sunday, January 10, 1965, Stadio Comunale, Bergamo
Lazio earned a valuable point away from home as they drew 1–1 with Atalanta at the Brumana Stadium, extending their unbeaten run at the Bergamo ground to eleven years. In a match marked by defensive errors, disciplinary issues, and moments of drama, the result ultimately reflected the balance of play.
Atalanta started brightly, pressing Lazio from the opening minutes and creating early danger. In the 8th minute, Luigi Milan tested goalkeeper Idilio Cei after following up a rebound, but the Lazio keeper responded with an excellent save. The hosts were rewarded in the 16th minute when a serious lapse by Vincenzo Gasperi handed them the lead: Bruno Bolchi’s free kick drifted through the area, Gasperi unexpectedly left it for Cei, and the goalkeeper—caught by surprise—could not prevent the ball from crossing the line.
Lazio reacted positively and gradually grew into the match. After an unsuccessful attempt by Paolo Carosi, the equaliser arrived in the 27th minute, again courtesy of a defensive blunder. Bolchi’s back-pass to Pierluigi Pizzaballa was poorly weighted, allowing Carlo Galli to intercept and calmly slot home from close range.
The visitors improved further following tactical adjustments in midfield, with Alberto Mari posing a threat before the break. The first half ended with tension rising after a rough challenge on Mario Mereghetti earned Carosi a yellow card.
Early in the second half, Cei was again decisive, producing a fine save from Mereghetti. However, Lazio’s task became more difficult in the 60th minute when Carosi received a second caution and was sent off. Just four minutes later, an elbow on Vito D’Amato forced the young Lazio forward off injured, leaving the visitors severely depleted.
Despite being reduced in numbers, Lazio showed resilience. Galli dropped deeper to support the defence, and while Atalanta pushed forward, they struggled to create clear chances. Lazio, in fact, looked more dangerous on the counter, with full-backs Pietro Dotti and Diego Zanetti both going close in the final stages.
Atalanta came extremely close to a late winner in the 82nd minute when Franco Nodari unleashed a powerful strike that crashed against the post. It proved to be the final major chance of the match.
The game ended in a draw that fairly reflected the overall performance of both sides: Atalanta energetic but wasteful, Lazio disciplined and determined in adversity.
Who played for Atalanta
Pizzaballa, Pesenti, Nodari, Bolchi, Gardoni, Colombo, Magistrelli, Landoni, Petroni, Milan, Mereghetti
Manager: Valcareggi
Who played for Lazio
Manager: Mannocci
Referee: De Marchi
Goals: 16’ Bolchi, 27’ Galli
What happened next
It was certainly not a season to remember. With six games to go, Lazio were in deep trouble, 16th and in full relegation zone. But then three consecutive wins (Sampdoria and Foggia at home, Mantova away) plus a draw at home against Atalanta got them out of trouble and Lazio avoided relegation. They finished 14th.
The player with the most appearances was Pierluigi Pagni (35), top scorers were Nello Governato and Renna with a meagre 5 goals.
Let’s talk about Carlo Galli
Carlo Galli was born in Montecatini Terme on March 6 1931.
After having played for Montecatini and Cascina in his early footballing years, in 1949 he met Giuseppe Viani, manager and former Lazio player. Viani got the job at Palermo and one of the first players he asked for was Galli. Viani transformed Galli into a powerful centre forward and on December 8, 1949, he debuted in Serie A and ten days later scored his first goal … against Lazio.
In 1951 the duo moved to Roma who had just been relegated in Serie B. Together with Lorenzo Bettini, Galli formed a new attacking partnership. Roma were promoted immediately and Galli was the top scorer with 13 goals. Viani at this point moved to Bologna but Galli stayed in Rome until 1956. In total he made 123 league appearances with the Giallorossi with 53 goals.
In 1956 Roma exchanged Galli for Gunnar Nordahl, so he reteamed with Viani at Milan. They would go on to win two scudetti, 1956-57 and 1958-59. He even scored five goals in one single match, a club record that still holds to this day. He obviously did it against Lazio…
In 1961 he moved to Udinese but after eight games he left to play for Genoa. He stayed there for two years, helping the Rossoblu to win the Serie B championship of 1961-62 and the Cup of the Alps in 1962. At the end of the 1962-63 season his contract expired, it was not renewed and he was without a team. He decided to quit.
In the summer of 1963 Lazio were looking for a new centre forward. They had purchased Eddie Firmani, a South African national with Italian passport who had played for Genoa, but he refused the transfer and signed for Charlton. He would become manager of the New York Cosmos in the 1970s. Orlando Rozzoni was seriously injured and manager Juan Carlo Lorenzo was forced to play with defender Gabriele Rambotti up front. Galli was on holiday, but he was approached by the club and due to the fact that his family lived in Rome he accepted.
He completely embraced the Lazio cause. He scored on his debut, against Milan, and he became the leader of the team. Sometimes he even played in defence. By Christmas, President Angelo Miceli proposed a longer contract without indicating a fee. Galli did not want a pay rise. He claimed that it was Lazio who had given him the possibility to get back to the life he loved, so he was in debt. He made 39 appearances with four goals.
Galli also has 13 caps for Italy with five goals. He played in the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland, scoring a goal in the second match against Belgium.
Once he stopped playing, he became sporting director for Lazio until 1971. It was Galli who “discovered” Giorgio Chinaglia and brought him to Rome.
Galli was an excellent centre forward, great header of the ball with incredible timing. He could shoot with both feet and he was also famous for his acrobatics.
He died in Rome on November 6, 2022.
Lazio Career
Season | Total appearances | Serie A | Coppa Italia |
1963-64 | 23 (1) | 23 (1) | - |
1964-65 | 14 (3) | 14 (3) | - |
1965-66 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Total | 39 (4) | 38 (4) | 1 |
Sources
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