Campioni d’inverno!!

Dag Jenkins
Jan 27, 2023
4 min read

Season 1973-74

Game 15, Serie A

Sunday, January 27, 1974

Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Lazio Bologna 4-0

Lazio overpower Bologna with a Chinaglia brace and reach halfway point top of table

Lazio had played 14 games and won 9 (including derby 2-1), drawn 3 and lost 2 and were top on 21 points, ahead of Juventus on 19 and Napoli on 18. Giorgio Chinaglia had already scored 7 goals. A week earlier the Biancocelesti had beaten Foggia 1-0 away.

Bologna were currently 8th, on 15 points with Cagliari and Foggia. The Rossoblu had won 3 (including Inter 3-0 and Milan 3-2 at home), drawn 9 (including Juventus 0-0 at home) and lost 2. They came from the home win against Milan.

So not an easy game today for Lazio against a solid mid-table side whose only 3 defeats showed they were no pushovers. The Rossoblu had also not lost at the Olimpico for four years. Lazio however with a win could become "Campioni d'inverno" a symbolic title given to the leaders at the halfway mark.

The match: Sunday, January 27, 1974, Stadio Olimpico, Rome

A cloudy day with rain showers saw about 50,000 turn up at the Olimpico.

Lazio were without midfielder Luciano Re Cecconi while Bologna were missing defender Tazio Roversi.

Lazio came out firing and took the lead after only four minutes. A perfectly dosed cross by Franco Nanni was put away from close range on the volley by Renzo Garlaschelli, 1-0.

The visitors were shaken but gradually the game became more balanced.

In the 18th minute Fausto Landini had an attempt saved and caught low by Felice Pulici.

In the 25th minute Chinaglia hit a good volley from a Mario Frustalupi cross but Sergio Buso was well placed.

In the 27th minute Garlaschelli had a one-on-one with Buso but the keeper kept his cool and saved.

In the 32nd minute Roberto Vieri tried his luck from the distance but was off target.

Lazio played good, fluid football and reached halftime deservedly in the lead.

The second half started with another Landini effort comfortably saved by Pulici, but then Lazio took control.

In the 56th minute "Long John" Chinaglia had a powerful low freekick stopped by the keeper and two minutes later Garlaschelli had a goal disallowed as Chinaglia had allegedly pushed the keeper.

The second goal came anyway another two minutes later. In the 60th minute Lazio put on a brilliant move. Frustalupi played in Chinaglia who backheeled to youngster Vincenzo D'Amico who had an open goal and did not miss, 2-0. It was the young lad from Latina's first goal for Lazio and he was unable to hold back tears.

From then on there was only one team on the field. D'Amico hit the outside of the post on the rebound from a Chinaglia freekick. Giorgione then hit the ball straight at the keeper from only five metres out after a deflected Sergio Petrelli cross.

In the 75th minute Lazio were awarded a penalty for Franco Cresci having pulled down Chinaglia. The striker brought up in Wales then placed a well taken low spot kick to Buso's right, 3-0.

Lazio now slowed things down and tried to play with the clock. There was a possible penalty for the Rossoblu when Petrelli seemed to trip Landini but the referee decided differently.

In the penultimate minute D'Amico repaid Chinaglia the previous favour. Vincenzino burst down the right and when he reached the by-line squared a perfect ball that Long John only had to push into the net, 4-0. Chinaglia did not celebrate but instead applauded the younger player's skill and altruism.

A good win for Lazio. The victory had never really been in doubt. Lazio, despite Re Cecconi's absence, had dominated the game in midfield and been creative up front. Giancarlo Oddi had practically cancelled out Bologna's danger man Landini while for the Felsinei the best players were keeper Buso despite the four goals and midfielder Giacomo Bulgarelli. The man of the match however was definitely Vincenzo D'Amico.

At the end of the game the visitors' manager Bruno Pesaola declared that Lazio were by far the best team they had played this season.

The table for the moment seemed to confirm this with Lazio on 23, Fiorentina 20, Juventus 20, Napoli 20, Milan 18.

Meanwhile Bologna were joint 8th, on 15 points with Foggia and Cagliari.

Who played for Lazio

Pulici, Petrelli, Martini, Wilson, Oddi, Nanni, Garlaschelli, Inselvini, Chinaglia, Frustalupi, D'Amico