Game 1, Serie B
Sunday, September 26, 1971
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio Brescia 1-0
Thanks to a great game from Nanni and a Chinaglia goal, Lazio start the season with a win
In August, Lazio managed to top their group in the first phase of the Coppa Italia. The first match of the season was the derby, which Lazio won 1-0 with a Chinaglia goal and at least four miraculous saves from Bandoni.
Today was the first game of the campionato.
The match
Lazio and Brescia were considered among the favourites for promotion so the Biancocelesti needed to start well. And they did. In the first minute of the game Giorgio Chinaglia had already sent a missile on a free kick towards the Brescia goal which Ernesto Galli was forced to save into corner. After a wasted opportunity by Gigi Martini, the Biancocelesti scored. In the 20th minute Giuseppe Massa managed to avoid the ball from going out and passed to Franco Nanni who, after having dribbled past Pietro Pittofratti, sent a long cross into the box that Chinaglia with a diving header put into the back of the net.
Brescia reacted but Claudio Bandoni was exceptional to prevent a Virginio De Paoli free kick and a Fausto Inselvini volley from going into the goal. Towards the end of the first half Lazio had numerous chances to score but first a Chinaglia free kick was saved by the keeper, then Long John hit the side of the post, followed by two shots from favourable positions from Mario Facco and Pino Wilson which deserved better luck.
In the second half Lazio slowed down and Brescia took control of the match but were only dangerous in the 58th minute when Pierluigi Cencetti forced Bandoni to make a miraculous save. Chinaglia and Massa had further chances to score but the game ended 1-0. A good start for the Biancocelesti.
Who played for Lazio
Bandoni, Facco, Oddi, Wilson, Papadopulo, Martini, Manservisi, Massa, Chinaglia, Nanni, Fortunato (76’ Gritti)
Substitute: Di Vincenzo
Manager: Maestrelli
Who played for Brescia
E. Galli, Rogora, Cagni, Cencetti, Busi, Gasparini, Tedoldi, Inselvini, De Paoli (33' Damonti), Pittofrati, E. Salvi
Substitute: D. Facchetti
Manager: Bassi
Referee: Panzino
Goal: 20’ Chinaglia
Sources
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