Lazio remain in sad limbo

Dag Jenkins
Mar 7, 2024
3 min read

Season 1981-82

Game 24, Serie B

Sunday, March 7, 1982

Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Lazio Brescia 1-1

A disappointing draw against lowly Brescia sums up Lazio's season so far...mediocre

Lazio had got off to a sluggish start with 1 point in the first 3 games but then picked up with 3 consecutive wins. Since then they had been inconsistent with 4 wins, 5 draws and 5 defeats (including Perugia 0-1). The last defeat 0-3 at home to Palermo had cost manager Ilario Castagner his job. The new manager was Roberto Clagluna from the U19s team.

Under Clagluna the Biancocelesti had won 1 (most recent game 1-0 away to Foggia), drawn 2 and lost 1. They were currently 10th, on 24 points. The A zone however was still only three points away (Bari, Verona, Catania and Sampdoria on 27) but the C zone was only five the other way (Reggiana, SPAL and Rimini on 19). Lazio were in between, today's game could decide which battle they would join, the promotion or relegation.

Brescia were struggling this season. The Rondinelle were 19th on 17 points after 5 wins (including most recent 1-0 at home to Pistoiese), 7 draws and 11 defeats (including Lazio 0-1). They were however still only two points from the survival zone (one of the three teams on 19).

Anything other than a win today would possibly put an end to Lazio's slender remaining promotion hopes.

The match

A decent and dry day brought about 20,000 spectators to the Olimpico.

Lazio were missing defender Paolo Pochesci while Brescia were missing defender Viviano Guida and forward Luciano Adami.

After twelve minutes of nothing Lazio scored out of the blue. Giorgio Mastropasqua fed Albertino Bigon who with a first-time touch set up Claudio Vagheggi and the Tuscan forward, with the inside of his foot, placed a low shot past Astutillo Malgioglio, 1-0.

The relatively early goal should have allowed Lazio to play in an ideal tactical situation. This however did not turn out to be the case as Brescia gradually took control.

The game, it must be said, was of very low quality with both sides making a string of passing mistakes and having difficulty to construct anything remotely resembling a team move.

Brescia attacked but Lazio resisted until half time leading 1-0, just before the break the visitors had been forced to replace midfielder Vito Graziani with Vincenzo Tavarilli.

The beginning of second half continued to see the Rondinelle bossing play and they soon equalised. In the 52nd minute, on a Domenico Volpati through ball, Francesco Vincenzi blasted an excellent first time strike past Felice Pulici, 1-1.

The Lombards realised they could do even better and pushed forward. In the 58th minute Vincenzi with a dangerous header was denied by the veteran Lazio keeper.

A minute later Clagluna decided to take off midfielder Nando Viola and bring on forward Walter Speggiorin.

Things did not change and Brescia went close again with a Vincenzi effort in the 68th minute with a blistering shot from the edge of the box but Pulici turned back time and saved.

In the 73rd minute Lazio tried another change and replaced defender Dario Pighin with attacking midfielder Stefano Ferretti. Five minutes later the visitors had to change their first substitute Tavarilli for another Pietro Leali.

At this point Lazio finally started to put some pressure on the Leonessa’s defence but mainly because they pulled back satisfied with a point.

The Biancocelesti however attacked in a confused and sloppy way never really testing Malgioglio and only had a few corners and scrambles in the opponents area. Full time score: Lazio 1 Brescia 1.

A poor-quality game which Brescia would have won on points. This disappointing performance definitely put an end to any promotion ambitions and Lazio would now probably do better to start looking over their shoulders.

Lazio were now 10th on 25 points. The Biancocelesti were four points from the last promotion slot (Bari and Verona on 29) and five from the last relegation slot (Rimini and Reggiana on 20). A classic limbo situation but judging by today Rimini and Reggiana were the more realistic rivals.

Brescia were 19th on 18 points (three from safety, SPAL on 21).

Who played for Lazio

Pulici, Spinozzi, Chiarenza, Mastropasqua, Pighin (73' Ferretti), Badiani, Vagheggi, Bigon, D'Amico, De Nadai, Viola (59' Speggiorin)