January 24, 1988: Taranto Lazio 3-3

Lazio Stories
Jan 24
9 min read

Lazio Fight Back to Claim Dramatic Draw in Taranto

Muro’s late free kick completes a comeback after Taranto’s early dominance

The season so far

The previous season Lazio had managed to avoid relegation to Serie C in a playoff with Campobasso and Taranto. They had been given an unjust 9-point docking, a very heavy burden with only two points for a victory, due to an alleged involvement in match fixing. Lazio did so well at the beginning that by early 1987 they were closer to promotion than relegation. Then the stress took its toll and the team collapsed physically and mentally. Before the last game of the season, Lazio were second from bottom on 31 points together with Taranto, on 32 there were Campobasso, Vicenza, Sambenedettese and Catania, with Modena on 33. With Cagliari already relegated, there were three places left. The last game was Lazio-Vicenza on June 21. With seven minutes to go, it was still 0-0. Gabriele Podavini got the ball and shot. It was more out of desperation than an actual goal scoring attempt. He miskicked it but the ball reached Giuliano Fiorini who turned on himself and scored.

Final verdict: Lazio, Campobasso and Taranto needed a playoff to determine who would join Cagliari, Catania and Vicenza in Serie C. In Naples on June 27 Lazio played their first game against Taranto and lost due to a goal in blatant offside. Then Taranto and Campobasso drew 1-1 on July 1. This meant that Lazio had to beat Campobasso to stay in Serie B. They did thanks to a Fabio Poli goal. The Biancocelesti were safe.

The new Presidency of the Calleri brothers with Renato Bocchi were obviously aiming for a return to Serie A in the 1987-88 season and certainly had this in mind when it came down to the summer transfer window. There was a revolution. Lazio said goodbye to goalkeepers Mario Ielpo and Giuliano Terraneo, defenders Ernesto Calisti and Daniele FIlisetti, but in particular to Lazio legends Podavini, Fiorini and Poli. The new signings were experienced goalkeeper Silvano Martina and defender Paolo Beruatto both from Torino, Diego Maradona’s reserve Ciro Muro from Napoli, Gabriele Savino from Vicenza, Paolo Monelli from Fiorentina and Giuseppe Galderisi on loan from Milan. Only a year earlier Galderisi had played for Italy in the 1986 World Cup.

There was a lot of expectation, especially because the slots for promotion were increased to four as Serie A was going to expand the number of teams from 16 to 18, but Lazio started slowly. After the first 10 games Lazio were 12th, not too far away from the promotion zone, but still not in a good position. A couple of wins pushed them back up but then six consecutive draws, the last five goalless, brought them to sixth place together with Catanzaro. Despite the not so great performance they were still within reach of promotion.

The match: Sunday, January 24, 1988, Stadio Erasmo Iacovone, Taranto

Lazio were beginning to find better rhythm and passing combinations to break down a defence anchored by the outstanding sweeper Sergio Paolinelli and the gritty Marco Serra and Rosario Biondo — tasked with marking Paolo Monelli and Giuseppe Galderisi — when Taranto struck first. In the 10th minute, following a corner taken by Stefano Dalla Costa, goalkeeper Silvano Martina could only parry, and Roberto Chierici reacted quickest to fire the loose ball under the crossbar.

Taranto’s lead lasted only moments. With clinical efficiency, Lazio drew level two minutes later: Paolinelli fouled Galderisi on the right, Ciro Muro delivered the free kick, and Gabriele Savino headed home. After 12 minutes, the score was already 1–1 in a match that was lively, open and played at a high tempo, with Taranto showing the sharper edge. Despite not being fully fit, Antonio De Vitis repeatedly caused problems for Angelo Gregucci, who struggled to contain him and resorted to fouls. One such infringement came in the 30th minute: Dalla Costa’s free kick struck the post to Martina’s left, and Giorgio Roselli pounced on the rebound to restore Taranto’s lead.

Six minutes later, another foul by Gregucci on De Vitis proved costly. Paolinelli stepped up and curled a direct free kick into the top corner to make it 3–1. At that point, with greater tactical discipline, Taranto might have closed out the match. Instead, they allowed Lazio back into the game. Before the interval, Muro went close on three occasions (42nd, 43rd and 45th minutes), each effort narrowly missing the target, and Lazio resumed the second half with sustained attacking pressure involving almost all their forwards.

Trailing 3–1, coach Eugenio Fascetti reshuffled his defence, sending Luca Brunetti to the dressing room and introducing Giancarlo Camolese, before later sacrificing Camolese himself in the 78th minute to bring on striker Antonio Rizzolo. Lazio’s all-out attacking approach led to a barrage of shots, and Taranto goalkeeper Gianpaolo Spagnulo distinguished himself with a series of fine saves, emerging as one of the standout performers. Nevertheless, Lazio reduced the deficit in the 49th minute when Savino scored into an empty net after Spagnulo spilled a header following a collision with teammate Serra.

Lazio continued to press as Taranto clung on. Spagnulo denied Paolo Beruatto from close range in the 67th minute, saved again from Savino shortly after, and tipped a Muro free kick over the bar in the 70th. Referee Felicani showed the first yellow card of the match in the 77th minute, booking Gabriele Pin for a heavy challenge on Dalla Costa, with Antonio Elia Acerbis also cautioned later. De Vitis squandered a clear-headed chance in the 80th minute, and three minutes later Lazio completed their comeback. Another foul by Paolinelli on Galderisi gave Muro the opportunity to unleash a powerful free kick that beat Spagnulo and secured a fully deserved equaliser.

Finally, after five consecutive goalless draws, Lazio managed to score. Let’s hope that this game becomes a turning point.

Who played for Taranto

Spagnulo, Biondo, Picci, Donatelli I, Serra, Paolinelli, Paolucci, Roselli, De Vitis, Dalla Costa (52' B.Russo), Chierici

Substitutes: Incontri, Pazzini, Gridelli, Rocca

Manager: Pasinato

Who played for Lazio

Martina, Brunetti (37’ Camolese, 78’ Rizzolo), Beruatto, Pin, Gregucci, Marino, Savino, Muro, Galderisi, Acerbis, Monelli

Substitutes: Salafia, Esposito, Biagioni

Manager: Fascetti

Referee: Felicani

Goals: 13’ Chierici, 14’ Savino, 30’ Roselli, 36’ Paolinelli, 49’ Savino, 84’ Muro

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qh_XIr0fER8

What happened next

With six games to the end, seven teams were involved in the fight for Serie A. Bologna and Atalanta were slightly ahead of the others, Lecce were one point above Lazio who in turn were a point ahead of Catanzaro, Cremonese and Bari.

The most important game of the season was Catanzaro-Lazio. Catanzaro by winning could have overtaken Lazio and it was 1-0 for the Calabrian Giallorossi when the referee indicated three minutes of injury time. With just seconds to go Monelli equalised and Lazio kept fourth place. Catanzaro managed to catch up with Lazio anyway with three games to go but it only lasted one game.

Lazio-Taranto was the last game of the season. Bologna and Lecce were already promoted, Lazio and Atalanta had a one-point lead over Catanzaro. The other two matches of interest were Atalanta-Messina and Piacenza-Catanzaro. The Biancocelesti won 3-1 and secured promotion to Serie A. Finally.

Paolo Monelli was the player with most appearances this season (42) and the most goals (14).

Let’s talk about Ciro Muro

Ciro Muro was born in Naples, on March 9, 1964.

He grew up in the Napoli youth sector and played one game (Napoli-Roma 1-2) in the 1983-84 season under Pietro Santin and then Rino Marchesi from February. Napoli finished 11th.

In 1984-85 he was sent to Monopoli on loan in Serie C1. The manager was Mario Russo and the "Gabbiano" (Seagull) finished 5th. Muro played 34 league games with 5 goals.

In 1985-86 he joined Pisa on loan in Serie A. The manager was Vincenzo Guerini and the Nerazzurri were relegated. They did however win the Mitropa Cup (Debrecen 2-0). Muro played 29 league games with 4 goals (Lecce, Fiorentina home and away, Avellino), 7 games in Coppa Italia with 2 goals (Piacenza Cremonese), and 2 games in the Mitropa Cup.

In 1986-87 he was back at Napoli in Serie A. The manager was Ottavio Bianchi and Napoli won the Scudetto and the Coppa Italia. He played alongside the great Diego Maradona and former Lazio Bruno Giordano. Muro played 11 league games with 1 goal (Ascoli), 13 games in Coppa Italia with 4 goals (in final first leg vs Atalanta, plus Vicenza, Brescia, Cagliari) and 2 games in Coppa UEFA.

In 1987-88 he joined Lazio in Serie B. The Biancocelesti had promotion hopes under Eugenio Fascetti and they materialised on June 19 when Lazio clinched their place back in Serie A. Muro played 37 league games with 4 goals (Triestina, Taranto, Sambenedettese, Bari) and 1 game in Coppa Italia.

Back in Serie A, Fascetti left over market strategy divergencies and Giuseppe Materazzi arrived. Lazio had a difficult season but ultimately survived with the added bonus of winning a local derby after ten years, with a Paolo Di Canio winner. Muro played 24 league games and 10 in Coppa Italia.

That was practically the end of his top-level career. He then started a nomadic career taking him over half of southern Italy.

In 1989-90 he was at Cosenza in Serie B. The "Lupi della Sila" finished 14th first under Gigi Simoni (Lazio 1985-86) and then Gianni Di Marzio. Muro played 35 league games with 2 goals (Padova, Foggia). His teammates included Massimo Storgato (Lazio 1984-85).

In 1990-91 he spent a season at Messina in Serie B. The Giallorossi finished 9th under Giuseppe Materazzi (1-33) and then the duo Antonio Colomban and Pietro Ruisi (34-38). Muro played 30 league games with 1 goal (Ancona) and 3 games in Coppa Italia. One of his teammates was Igor Protti (Lazio 1996-97, 1998).

Between 1991 and 1993 he was at Taranto in Serie B. The Ionici finished 16th and 19th (relegated). The managers were Walter Nicoletti (1-10) and Giampiero Vitali (11-38) the first year and Vitali (1-6) and Giuseppe Caramanno the second. Muro played 71 league games with 9 goals. His teammates included Luca Brunetti (Lazio 1986-88) and Giancarlo Camolese (Lazio 1986-88).

From 1993 to 1995 he played with Ischia Isolaverde in Serie C1. The isolani finished 10th and 16th. Muro played 58 league games with 1 goal. One of his teammates was Giovanni Martusciello (former assistant manager to Maurizio Sarri when he was at Lazio).

In 1995-96 he was with Albanova (Casale del Principe - Caserta) in C2. The Leoni finished 5th and he played 31 games with 6 goals.

In 1996 he played 8 league games for Matera in Serie C2 but then returned to Albanova, playing 23 league games with 4 goals and finishing 11th.

In 1997-98 he played for Sant'Anastasia (Napoli) in the amateur C.N.D (5th tier). The Biancoblu finished 6th but Muro only played 3 league games with 1 goal.

In 1998-99 he was with Casertana in C.N.D. He played 9 league games with 1 goal as player-manager.

Between 1999-2001 he spent two seasons with Viribus Unitis (Somma Vesuviana-Naples) as player manager in Promozione (6th tier). He played 42 league games with 2 goals.

In 2001 he had brief spells with Pomigliano Est (Naples) in Promozione with 8 games and 1 goal and then Manduria (Taranto) in Promozione, only playing two games.

At 37 he retired and continued with coaching.

In 2003-04 he was back at Pomigliano in Serie D. The Granata were first relegated and then readmitted to Serie D for the following season.

In 2009 he went back to Napoli to work in the youth sector and stayed four years.

In 2013-14 he coached Mariano Keller (Naples) in Serie D.

In 2014-15 he was in charge of Puteolana (Pozzuoli-Naples) in Serie D. The Granata were relegated and went bust.

In 2020-21 he was with Frattese (Frattamaggiore-Naples) youth sector and in 2021-22 he had a spell with the Giugliano (Naples) youth sector.

He was manager of Scafatese (Scafati-Salerno) in Eccelenza Campania (5th tier) in 2023-24 and in November 2024 he became head coach of Castel Volturno, still in the fifth tier. At the end of the season his contract was resolved by mutual consent. He also has his own football academy, SC Ciro Muro.

Ciro Muro was a talented player. He was an attacking midfielder, 1.73 and 70 kilos. His speciality were set pieces and free kicks. He was considered a promising player at the beginning of his career but he never really fulfilled his potential. His peak was playing with Maradona and winning a Scudetto with Napoli.

At Lazio he won a promotion and had a decent first year. His second was more disappointing and he was then let go. At Lazio his infallible free kicks were legendary but only in training where apparently, he really was a mini-Maradona...