Lazio throw away possibly vital point

Dag Jenkins
Mar 7, 2024
3 min read

Updated: 4 days ago

Season 1970-71

Game 20, Serie A

Sunday, March 7, 1971

Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Lazio Bologna 2-2

Despite going two goals up Lazio draw with Bologna

In Serie A things were not going well. Lazio only won their first game on December 20 and had only won two all season. The Biancocelesti were joint bottom with Catania, on 11 points. Safety was four points away, Fiorentina on 15.

Today could go either way. Lazio were desperate for points and Bologna in mid-table but still only five points from the drop zone.

The match

It had snowed in Rome on Saturday but today was sunny. The pitch however was surrounded by unmelted snow but the playing field itself was in good condition.

Lazio were still missing Pierpaolo Manservisi, Giuliano Fortunato and Juan Carlos Morrone while Bologna had Francesco Rizzo out suspended.

In the first half Bologna controlled the tempo with more harmonious and better build up while Lazio responded with more isolated and individual moves.

In the 13th minute Giorgio Chinaglia charged forward on the counter attack and passed to Mario Tomy in the middle, but he was just anticipated by defender Tazio Roversi.

Bologna responded a minute later when Bruno Pace went past several players on the wing and put in a cross for Beppe Savoldi but his header shaved the post.

Lazio went just as close in the 35th minute. Ferruccio Mazzola fed Chinaglia who again surged forward beating Franco Janich but his powerful cross goal effort was just wide. Half time Lazio 0 Bologna.

A balanced game, Bologna playing better football but Lazio more dangerous.

The second half started with a bang. In the 49th minute a wonderful touch by Arrigo Dolso found Tomy near the penalty spot, the striker chested the ball down and despite being challenged by two defenders hammered in a left foot. A great goal, Lazio 1 Bologna 0.

Four minutes later Lazio doubled their lead and Tomy was involved again. Following a misunderstanding between Janich and Roversi he shot towards goal, the ball was then touched slightly by Chinaglia who predictably was more than pleased to claim the goal. Lazio 2 Bologna 0.

Lazio were leading by two goals for the first time this season.

Bologna tried to remedy by putting on a forward Giovanni Vastola for a midfielder Pietro Ghetti, who was on his debut in Serie A.

Lazio seemed in control and defended well and tried to strike on the break. In the 75th minute however, things changed when Giorgio Chinellato messed up a backward pass losing possession, the Bolognesi went forward and the linesman put his flag up for offside but the referee incredibly ignored it or did not notice it, allowing Savoldi to get the ball and he was then pulled down by Giuseppe Papadopulo for a penalty. Savoldi himself put it away neatly, Lazio 2 Bologna 1.

The game changed completely and the visitors took control while Lazio were panicky. The Rossoblu almost equalised in the 84th minute but Rosario Di Vincenzo made an excellent save on a lob by Pace. Then Savoldi and Giacomo Bulgarelli were just late on an Adriano Fedele cross.

The goal however came in the 88th minute. Chinaglia had the ball but instead of playing for time he burst forward and lost it to Nevio Scala, it then reached Savoldi who teed up Ivan Gregori unmarked on the left and his shot beat Di Vincenzo. Lazio 2 Bologna 2.

A pity for Lazio who had gone close to a crucial win but let it slip through their fingers. In modern times there would have been endless controversy for the referee's behaviour on Bologna's first goal. Meanwhile, the Lazio fans were not happy but did not have to look far for ammunition as hundreds of snowballs pelted down on the field.

For Lazio this could be the beginning of the end especially psychologically. The Biancocelesti were still four points from safety but were now bottom of the table.

Who played for Lazio

Di Vincenzo, Facco, Legnaro, Wilson, Papadopulo, Chinellato, Massa, Mazzola II, Chinaglia, Tomy, Dolso