June 27, 1987: Taranto-Lazio 1-0
- Dag Jenkins
- 3 days ago
- 10 min read
Nightmare start
Lazio lose first playoff game to a goal in offside but there is still hope
Also on this day:
The season so far
The previous season had been disappointing. Lazio had finished 11th under Gigi Simoni and at one point even flirted with relegation.
In the early summer Lazio brought in a new manager, Eugenio Fascetti, and several good players to boost their new promotion push: keeper Giuliano Terraneo (Milan), defender Angelo Gregucci (Alessandria), midfielders Antonio Acerbis (Pescara), Giancarlo Camolese (Alessandria) and Gabriele Pin (Juventus) to name a few. In the autumn session Lazio had signed defender Raimondo Marino (Napoli) and forward Paolo Mandelli (Inter-on loan).
Leaving were defenders Fabio Calcaterra (Inter-end of loan), Roberto Galbiati (Fiorentina), Arcadio Spinozzi (Reggina), midfielders, legendary title winner Vincenzo D’Amico (Ternana- after 338 games for Lazio), Fortunato Torrisi (Ternana), Claudio Vinazzani (retired due to match fixing ban) plus forwards Paolo Di Canio (Ternana-on loan) and Oliviero Garlini (Inter).
The promotion dream however was already shattered in the late summer. Lazio player Claudio Vinazzani was accused of being involved in the "Totonero-bis" match fixing scandal. On August 6 Lazio were sentenced to relegation to Serie C. The owners, the Calleri brothers, risked giving up and 8,000 fans caused urban warfare under the Football Federation headquarters. The players, already in pre-season training in Gubbio decided to stay on for now, awaiting the final CAF verdict (the appeal).
On August 26 the appeal court changed the verdict to a lighter nine-point docking in the following season's Serie B. It was still a harsh sentence with two points per victory and especially considering the scant evidence against Lazio, but it meant survival and some hope for the future.
So, Lazio started the season at -9 points. The main priority now was survival.
After a hesitant start Lazio gathered steam and at one point even looked as if they could join the promotion battle. Then the stress of the handicap start and the necessity to push early on began to take its toll and Lazio had started to struggle in the second part of the season.
After the first 19 fixtures Lazio had conquered 24 points, so were on 15, in 16th place (without the handicap they would have been 2nd). In the next 18 fixtures however the Biancocelesti had only gathered 16 points.
Then came the mother of all games Lazio vs Vicenza on June 21. The table read: Cagliari 26 (relegated), Taranto 31, Lazio 31, Catania 32, Vicenza 32, Sambenedettese 32, Campobasso 32, Modena 33. With four relegations the situation was dramatic. In front of an 80,000 crowd Lazio managed to clinch a 1-0 win in an epic match decided by an 82nd minute goal by Giuliano Fiorini.
This meant a three-team playoff to be played in Naples with first Taranto and then Campobasso. Cagliari, Catania and Vicenza were already gone, one more team would go down.
In Coppa Italia, in August/September, Lazio had got through the first-round group stage of Coppa Italia. The Biancocelesti had won 2 (SPAL 2-0 and Taranto 5-0, both at home), drawn 2 (Vicenza 1-1 and Cesena 0-0, both away) and lost 1 (Napoli 0-2 at home). In February, Lazio had then played Juventus away in the first leg of the round of 16 and surprisingly held the Bianconeri to a 0-0 draw but then in the return game in Rome in April lost 0-2.
Survival was more important and Lazio went down to Naples full of hope in the knowledge they were the best team but also apprehension with what was at stake and the potential negative repercussions.
Taranto were newly promoted as the previous season the Rossoblu had been promoted in 2nd place from C1, under manager Antonio Renna. Top scorer was Nicola D'Ottavio with 15 league goals.
This season the manager was initially still Renna but he had been replaced by Fernando Veneranda after the 9th fixture. When the change came the Ionici had been joint 16th on 5 points. Since then they had continued to struggle and finished joint 15th with Lazio and Campobasso. The Apulians had won 10, drawn 13 (including Lazio 1-1 at home) and lost 15 (including Lazio 1-2 away) but had finished the season strongly. Top scorer was Antonio De Vitis with 18 league goals.
In the Coppa Italia they had gone out in the first group phase after 1 win (Vicenza 1-0 away), 1 draw (SPAL 0-0 away) and 3 defeats (Napoli and Cesena both 0-1 at home and Lazio 0-5 away).
The match: Saturday, June 27, 1987, Stadio San Paolo, Naples
It was a hot and humid day in Naples for this crucial clash. There were about 25,000 Lazio fans present but it is said another 10,000 never made it due to a crash on the Autosole motorway near Caianello. There were also 10,000 Taranto fans present.
Lazio were without defender Raimondo Marino but apart from that fielded a strong side.
Taranto were missing talented midfielder Pietro Maiellaro and also had midfielder Vincenzo Tavarilli unavailable.
The heat and the importance of the game affected the first half. Lazio had territorial superiority and attacked more but had difficulty against Taranto's defensive approach.
Taranto had a freekick by Stefano Dalla Costa in the first minute saved by Giuliano Terraneo and then defended for long periods with the occasional hopeful long ball for Antonio De Vitis.
Lazio had a few chances, Fabio Poli in the 6th minute and Paolo Mandelli in the 28th had shots saved by Daniele Goletti. Lazio pushed forward but were unable to cause the keeper any particular problems.
At the end of the half the Rossoblu had another free kick, this time taken by De Vitis, but Terraneo was safe. Halftime Taranto 0 Lazio 0.
Not a great first 45 minutes but the slight breeze which started to blow during the break promised to make the playing conditions easier.
The game became faster and Lazio continued to attack but continued to hit Taranto's defensive wall. Taranto threatened more on the counter attack compared to the first half and Terraneo had to save on Silvio Picci and Dalla Costa.
In the 61st minute Lazio had a good chance but Mandelli's header was blocked by Goletti. A minute later the Pugliesi responded with a powerful Maurizio Gridelli attempt saved by Terraneo.
In the 65th minute disaster struck for Lazio. Lazio hesitated at the back, Terraneo saved on a Gridelli shot but parried only as far as De Vitis who had no problem scoring. The striker's position looked blatantly offside but the goal stood despite heavy protests by the Lazio players.
Lazio were under shock for some minutes and then started to attack head down. In the 72nd minute the Romans were unlucky when a Luca Brunetti strike hit the post.
They had just replaced Gabriele Pin with Giorgio Magnocavallo and then in the 78th minute took off Gabriele Podavini for Massimo Piscedda.
Taranto waited a little longer but then in the 83rd minute substituted forward Silvio Paolucci with midfielder Bruno Russo and in the 87th changed forward, bringing on Marco Romiti for the provisional match winner De Vitis.
Lazio threw themselves forward but lacked lucidity. The last chance was for Fiorini but Goletti dived low at his feet and gathered. Final score Taranto 1 Lazio 0.
A nightmare start for Lazio. The Biancocelesti were now staring 3rd tier football in the face and even their future as a club was potentially in danger. The Eagles however had one more chance, the game against Campobasso on July 5. The exodus of Lazio fans would have to be repeated for a life or death clash with the Molisani. Campobasso would have already played Taranto by then as that game was scheduled for July 1. The situation would be clearer after that game but Lazio basically knew they had to win to survive.
Who played for Taranto
Goletti, Biondo, Gridelli, Donatelli, Serra, Paolinelli, Paolucci (83' Russo), Picci, De Vitis (87' Romiti), Dalla Costa
Substitutes: Incontri, D. Conti, Di Maria
Manager: Veneranda (not on bench due to suspension)
Who played for Lazio
Terraneo, Brunetti, Podavini (78' Piscedda), Acerbis, Gregucci, Camolese, Mandelli, Caso, Poli, Pin (71' Magnocavallo), Fiorini
Manager: Fascetti
Referee: Lanese
Goal: 65' De Vitis
What happened next
The 25,000 Lazio fans returned home disappointed but would be back with one last chance, Lazio had to beat Campobasso. The table read Taranto 3 (safe), Campobasso 1, Lazio 0 (Taranto and Campobasso had drawn).
On July 5 Lazio managed to beat Campobasso with a Fabio Poli winner in the 53rd minute. On a Piscedda cross from the left, diminutive Poli rose to the heavens and headed in one of the most important goals in Lazoo's history. Lazio were safe after an incredible season. The Biancocelesti had survived the drop but possibly also as a club.
Top scorer was Fiorini with 9 (7 in B) while Mandelli got 6. In Coppa Italia, Lazio lost the return leg to Juventus 0-2.
Campobasso joined the aforementioned Cagliari, Catania and Vicenza in Serie C.
The "minus nine" gang became heroes for life. They are one of the most popular teams in Lazio's 125-year history. A year later Eugenio Fascetti and many of this team would take Lazio back to Serie A. It is the 1986-87 season however which is best remembered.
Lazio have never been back in Serie B and have since won both domestic and European trophies but without the heroes of Lazio's 86-87 season history could have been very different. "I ragazzi dei -9" are immortal and are revered as much if not more than the star-studded trophy lifting teams that followed. "Grazie ragazzi".
Let's talk about Carlo Regalia
Carlo Regalia was born in Lonate Pozzolo (Varese), on March 1, 1934.
He started playing football in the Gallaratese (Milan) youth set up and in 1951 joined the first team squad for two years. The Rossoblu were in Serie C but were relegated. The following season they finished 6th. Regalia played 33 league games with 5 goals.
In 1953 he joined Pavia briefly in Serie B but after only 3 league games he returned to Gallaratese in the 4th tier. He stayed another two seasons with 5th and 3rd places. He made 57 league appearances with 23 goals.
In 1955 he moved to Cagliari in Serie B. He stayed four seasons with 6th, 10th, 17th (avoided relegation due to league reform) and 4th place. He played 96 league games with 35 goals. His managers included Lazio legend Silvio Piola (1934-43), Carlo Rigotti and Stefano Perati.
In 1959 he moved to another island and signed for Messina in Serie B. The Giallorossi finished 8th under Bruno Arcari and he played 30 league games with 5 goals.
The following season he moved back to Lombardy and joined Simmenthal Monza in Serie B. The Brianzoli did well under Hugo Lamanna finishing 5th but Regalia only played 5 league games and scored 1 goal.
He then left Monza but stayed in Lombardy, joining Pro Patria (Busto Arsizio) in Serie B. He stayed five seasons finishing 6th, 9th, 13th, 9th and 18th (relegated). He played 112 league games with 13 goals. His managers included Pietro Magni, Franco Pedroni, Luciano Lupi, Paolo Todeschini (Lazio player 1948-49 and manager 1961-62) and Angelo Turconi.
At 32 he retired and he became a coach.
He started at Pro Patria where he had already done some coaching with the youth teams in his last season as a player.
He was with the Tigrotti in Serie C from November 1966 to 1970. They finished 10th, 5th and 13th twice. One of his players in 1968-69 was future Lazio Scudetto winner Luciano Re Cecconi.
In 1970-71 he was in charge at Omegna (Piedmont) in Serie D. The Lupi finished 16th but avoided relegation.
In 1971-72 he was assistant manager to Luigi Radice at Cesena in Serie B. The Bianconeri finished 6th. The squad included Lazio connections Paolo Ammoniaci (1975-79) and Paolo Ferrario (1960-61 and 1961-62).
In 1972 he moved south-east to Bari and stayed a season and a bit. The Galletti were in Serie B and finished 11th while the following year he was sacked after 13 games and Bari were eventually relegated. His players included future Lazio Totò Lopez (1975-80).
In 1974 he swapped southern coasts and moved to Reggio Calabria. Reggina were in Serie C and he stayed two seasons, finishing 6th and 7th. One of his players was future Lazio manager Beppe Materazzi (1988-90).
Regalia's last coaching experience was with Salernitana in 1976-77. The Granata were in Serie C and finished 6th but Regalia was replaced in April by Mario Saracino.
Regalia then started the third phase of his career. He was one of the founders of the A.DI.SE, the Association of Italian Sporting Directors.
He himself started at Bari and did well with the Baresi signing several future talents and narrowly missing promotion to Serie A in 1982 under manager Enrico Catuzzi.
He then worked briefly for Alessandria in 1984-85 before joining Lazio in 1986 with former Alessandria owners Giorgio and Gian Marco Calleri who had bought Lazio. He contributed to the rebuilding of the Biancocelesti under manager Eugenio Fascetti, avoiding relegation despite a nine-point docking, winning promotion and then bringing stability in Serie A under his former player Materazzi and then Dino Zoff.
He left Lazio in 1992 and in 1993 returned to Bari as general director of football. He stayed ten years building a good team and the Galletti spent six seasons in Serie A (1994-96, 1997-2001). His managers included Materazzi and Fascetti again. Some players who started at Bari in those years include future world champions Gianluca Zambrotta and Simone Perrotta plus Nicola Ventola (Inter) and Antonio Cassano (Roma, Real Madrid, Sampdoria, Milan, Inter).
In 2005 Regalia became sporting director at Lecce where he stayed five seasons. The Giallorossi alternated two seasons in A and three in B.
In 2010 he went back to Pro Patria in Lega Pro 2 (4th tier) but resigned in February 2011 after falling out with the owner.
On January 7 2012 he became sporting director at Piacenza in Lega Pro 1 (3rd tier) but left in April following the club being declared bankrupt.
At 78 he ended his sixty odd year career in football. A career which took him from being a player, to manager and finally to sporting director.
As a player he was a talented attacking midfielder with a good goal scoring rate (82 league goals). Most of his playing days were spent in Serie B.
As a manager he coached mainly in the third tier and his peak was possibly the 11th place with Bari in Serie B in 1972-73.
As a sporting director he was very respected. He had good spells at Bari and Lecce with both clubs punching above their weight also thanks to his intuitive signings.
At Lazio he is remembered for his role in the -9 season, the promotion back to A after three years in the purgatory of B and the beginning of the reconstruction which would lead Lazio to be a major force in Italian football again. Regalia's period at Lazio is remembered with great fondness by Laziali.
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