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  • Writer's pictureDag Jenkins
    • Jan 19
    • 8 min read

January 19, 1992: Lazio Cagliari 2-1

Doll cracker and Sosa lob edge out battling Cagliari


Lazio score early in both halves but Cagliari make Lazio work hard for the two points





Source Lazio Wiki

The season so far


The previous season Lazio had finished 11th in Serie A under manager Dino Zoff. The Biancocelesti won 8, drew 17 and lost 7. Lazio’s best result was defeating Juventus 1-0 at home while both derbies were draws.

 

Zoff had been confirmed but this new season was largely influenced by a player who would not even be involved, English star Paul Gascoigne. Lazio had made a deal with Tottenham for Gazza but the Geordie midfielder had ruptured his own cruciate ligaments in his right knee with his infamous tackle in the FA Cup Final. His official arrival at Lazio would therefore be for the successive 1992-1993 season.

 

In the meantime, Lazio had mitigated the setback by signing rated German midfielder Thomas Doll from Hamburger SV. In had also come defender Gigi Corino (Triestina), midfielder Giovanni Stroppa (Milan) and striker Berardino Capocchiano (TSV Havelse).

 

Leaving Lazio were midfielders Sergio Domini (Brescia) and Pedro Troglio (Ascoli). The Argentinian had to make space for Doll, as there was still a three foreign player limit. Striker Alessandro Bertoni also left after two years (back home to Reggiana).

 

So far Lazio had played 16 league games. They had won 5, drawn 8 (including the derby, Milan and Juventus, all 1-1) and lost 3, so had 18 points. A similar pattern to the previous campaign. A week earlier Lazio had lost 0-1 away to the reigning champions Sampdoria.

 

In Coppa Italia Lazio had beaten Fidelis Andria 5-2 on aggregate in August /September but then lost to Torino 0-2 on aggregate in October/December.

 

Cagliari had finished 14th the previous season, under manager Claudio Ranieri. The islanders had lost 0-1 at home to Lazio but drawn 1-1 in Rome.

 

This season former Lazio player Massimo Giacomini had started as manager but was replaced by Carlo Mazzone after 6 games (and 5 consecutive defeats). The main new signings over the summer were: defenders Matteo Villa (Reggiana), Nicolò Napoli (Juventus), midfielders Pierpaolo Bisoli (Viareggio), Gianluca Gaudenzi (Milan) plus forwards Antonio Criniti (Catanzaro) and Andrea Pistella (Barletta).

 

Leaving the island were: defender Mauro Valentini (Atalanta- after 210 games), midfielders Ivo Pulga (Parma-after 174 games), Pasquale Rocca (Inter-end of loan) and forward Raffaele Paolino (Inter-end of loan).

 

Some interesting players in the Cagliari squad were captain Gianfranco Matteoli (a scudetto with Inter), Daniel Fonseca (future Napoli, Roma and Juventus), Uruguayan star Enzo Francescoli. The Rossoblu also had James Wilson (Lazio scudetto captain Pino's son) in the squad and two others former Biancocelesti, keeper Mario Ielpo ('80-84 and 85-87) and midfielder Alfonso Greco ('86-89)

 

The "Casteddu" had won 3, drawn 5 and lost 8. A week earlier Cagliari had drawn 1-1 at home to Juventus. The Rossoblu had 11 points.

 

Lazio had only lost once at home (Inter 0-1) and Cagliari were winless away from home. The Biancocelesti were hoping to return to winning ways today but knew it would not be easy.

 

The match: Sunday, January 19, 1992, Stadio Olimpico, Rome


A pale winter sun and about 35,000 spectators welcomed the players to the Olimpico.

 

Lazio had no injury problems while the Sardinians were without José Herrera, Gianluca Gaudenzi and, above all, Fonseca.

 

Lazio started well and after only four minutes took the lead. It was a Thomas Doll gem; the German went past Aldo Firicano at the edge of the box and unleashed a cracking right foot into the top hand corner. A wonderful goal and a dream start for the Biancocelesti. Lazio 1 Cagliari 0.

 

All easy for Lazio? No, Cagliari reacted and put Lazio in difficulty despite never forcing Valerio Fiori into any difficult saves.

 

In the 13th minute Lazio lost defender Gigi Corino through injury and he was replaced by Claudio Vertova.

 

As mentioned, Cagliari battled, Antonio Criniti cut in on the right along the by-line but his shot hit the side-netting. Francescoli had a free kick from just outside the area but hit the wall. Matteoli then found Stefano Mobili inside the area on the left but he blasted it out from a difficult angle.

 

Lazio were error strewn in midfield and untidy in their passing. The last chance of the first half, however, was Biancoceleste. On a long high cross from the left Rubén Sosa let it go over his head and then on the bounce turned and shot but with his wrong foot and the ball trickled across the goal mouth and out. Half time Lazio 1 Cagliari 0.

 

Lazio deservedly ahead if only for Doll's superb goal.

 

For the second half Lazio replaced a subdued Claudio Sclosa with a hopefully livelier Giovanni Stroppa.

 

Stroppa did not disappoint, first he jiggled his way past three defenders and was pushed over inside the area but for the referee it was nothing. In the 49th minute he put a perfect ball through the Cagliari defence, Sosa ran onto it and from just inside the area lobbed the keeper to double Lazio’s lead. Lazio 2 Cagliari 0.

 

Cagliari however did not give up and from then on attacked constantly. Mobili had a thundering long-range effort go just wide, Criniti was blocked by a last-ditch tackle, Criniti again went round Fiori but lost the moment to shoot and then Mauro Nardini had a powerful left footed shot saved into corner by Fiori. Four chances in ten minutes.

 

From the corner however Cagliari scored. The visitors took a short corner and then crossed for Francescoli who headed it back into the middle where Napoli volleyed it in. Lazio 2 Cagliari 1. A deserved goal for the islanders who now believed they could take something home to Sardinia after all.

 

Criniti had a good run but inside the area on the right comically missed the ball and collapsed to the ground (probably a bad bounce). Nicolò Napoli then had a low long range shot but Fiori dived to his right and parried into corner. Francescoli then curled a freekick round the wall but again Fiori saved low near the post.

 

Zoff gestured to his players not to get pegged back so much and his instructions were soon followed. Sosa put a high cross from the left to the other side of the area where Doll let it bounce and then belted a volley which hit the outside of the post.

 

In the 75th minute Cagliari tried to regain the upper hand by putting on another striker, Andrea Pistella for defender Matteo Villa.

 

By now, however, Lazio had control of the game and went extremely close to a third goal. Stroppa again put a precise ball over the Cagliari defence where Sosa chested it down but then incredibly blasted it over the bar from close range.

 

Before the final whistle there was still time for a Lazio player, Vertova, to be sent off for dissent. Cagliari had no more energy and Lazio clinched two hard earned points.

 

An evenly balanced game won by Lazio. A draw would not have been a scandal but Lazio had more quality in the end with Doll and Stroppa standing out. Doll's goal for the statistics was Lazio’s goal number 2,000 in their 192-year history.

 

Who played for Lazio


Substitutes: Orsi, Neri, Capocchiano

Manager: Zoff

 

Who played for Cagliari


Ielpo, M. Villa (75' Pistella), Festa, N. Napoli, Firicano, Mobili, Bisoli, Nardini, Francescoli, Matteoli, Criniti

Substitutes: Di Bitonto, Chiti, Greco, Corellas

Manager: Mazzone

 

Referee: Amendolia

 

Goals: 4' Doll, 49' Sosa, 59' N. Napoli

 



What happened next


Lazio finished 10th, a slight improvement on the previous year. Lazio won 11, drew 12 (including derby and Juventus away, both 1-1) and lost 11. So, more defeats but also more victories and one extra point. Top scorer was Ruben Sosa with 15 (13 in A, as Karl-Heinz Riedle).


The next year Gazza was on his way.

 

Cagliari improved in the second half of the season. In the return fixtures the islanders won 4, drew 10 (including Roma and Juventus, both 0-0 away) and only lost 3 (including Lazio 0-1). Cagliari finished 13th, seven points above the relegation zone. Top scorer was Daniel Fonseca with 9 league goals.

 

The Scudetto was won by Milan for the 12th time. Serie B beckoned for Bari, Verona, Cremonese and Ascoli.


Lazio 1991-92

Competition

Played

Won

Drawn

Lost

Goals Scored

Serie A

34

11

12

11

43

Coppa Italia

4

2

1

1

5

Total

38

13

13

12

48

Top Five appearances

Player

Total

Serie A

Coppa Italia

Bacci

37

33

4

Pin

36

32

4

Doll

35

31

4

Fiori

35

32

3

Ruben Sosa

35

31

4

Top Goal Scorers

Player

Total

Serie A

Coppa Italia

Ruben Sosa

15

13

2

Riedle

13

13

-

Doll

8

7

1

Stroppa

5

4

1


Let’s talk about Claudio Vertova


Source Lazio Wiki

Claudio Vertova was born in Treviglio (Bergamo), on July 6, 1959.

 

His first club was local Trevigliese. In 1978 he moved to Monza in Serie B but never made his debut. The Brianzoli finished 4th then losing the playoff for Serie A (Pescara 0-2).

 

In 1979 he joined Sanremese in Serie C1. He stayed four seasons and the Matuziani finished 4th, 8th, 11th and 12th. His managers were Ezio Carboni, Giancarlo Danova, Bruno Baveni and Giorgio Canali. Vertova played 100 league games and scored 5 goals.

 

In 1983 he moved to Tuscany and joined Empoli in Serie B. The Azzurri finished 16th under Vincenzo Guerini. Vertova played 30 league games and 4 in Coppa Italia. His teammates included former Lazio Vincenzo Mirra ('81-82) and future top manager Walter Mazzarri.

 

In 1984-85 Empoli finished 8th and Vertova played 37 league games and 6 in Coppa Italia.

 

In 1985-86 the manager was Gaetano Salvemini and Empoli finished 4th. They won promotion due to Vicenza being punished for some of their players' involvement in the Totonero-bis betting scandal. Vertova played 32 league games with 1 goal (Cagliari) and 9 in Coppa Italia (Empoli reached quarters knocking out Milan but lost to Fiorentina 3-5 on aggregate).

 

In Serie A in 1986-87 Empoli finished 13th. They beat Inter and Fiorentina 1-0 both at home. Vertova played 29 league games with 1 goal (winner against Verona) and 7 games in Coppa Italia.

 

In 1987-88 Empoli were relegated back to Serie B. They beat Juventus and Roma at home but ended up 16th. Vertova played 29 league games and 8 in Coppa Italia (Empoli reached quarters knocking out Roma but lost to Inter 1-3 on aggregate.

 

In 1988-89 Vertova moved to Atalanta in Serie A. The "Dea" manager was Emiliano Mondonico and the Bergamaschi finished 6th. They beat Milan and Juventus away and Lazio both home and away. Vertova played 14 league games and 7 games in Coppa Italia (Atalanta reached semis knocking out Lazio but lost to Sampdoria 3-6 on aggregate). His teammates included, former Lazio, Oliviero Garlini and Vincenzo Esposito plus future Lazio, Armando Madonna.

 

In 1989-90 Vertova stayed in Bergamo. Atalanta finished 7th, qualifying for the UEFA Cup. Their best results were beating Juventus 1-0 away, Inter 2-1 and Roma 3-0 both at home plus Lazio home and away, 2-1 and 4-0. Vertova played 19 league games, 3 in Coppa Italia and 2 in the UEFA Cup (out in 1st round to Spartak Moscow 0-2).

 

In November 1990 Vertova joined Lazio. The manager was Dino Zoff and Vertova stayed two seasons. Lazio had plenty of defenders including first choice centre backs Angelo Gregucci and Roberto Soldà plus Cristiano Bergodi. Over two years Vertova only played 6 league games. Lazio finished 11th and 10th.

 

In 1992 he joined Lecco in Serie C2. The manager was Giuseppe Savoldi and the Manzoniani finished 5th. Vertova played 23 league games.

 

He then retired from professional football at almost 34. He did however continue playing at amateur level for his hometown club Trevigliese.

 

Vertova was a central defender. He was strong physically, 1.86 metres and 78 kilos. He had a good sense of position and aerial abilities.

 

He played 97 games in Serie A and won a promotion with Empoli. His best years were with Empoli and Atalanta.

 

At Lazio he was basically a reserve. He was behind Gregucci, Soldà, Bergodi, Corino and so got very little playing time.


Lazio Career

Season

Appearances Serie A

1991-92

4

1992-93

2

Total

6

Sources



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