Chinaglia Leads Lazio to Winning Start in Scudetto Defence

Simon Basten
Oct 5, 2023
3 min read

Season 1974-75

Game 1, Serie A

Sunday, October 6, 1974

Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Lazio Cesena 2-1

Chinaglia strikes as Lazio open with a win.

Today was the first Serie A fixture. There was hope for a better performance compared to the dismal Coppa Italia.

The match

Lazio began the defence of their first-ever Scudetto in assured fashion, defeating Cesena 2–1 before a jubilant Stadio Olimpico crowd, the Biancocelesti playing for the first time in their 74-year history with the tricolour badge proudly stitched upon their shirts.

Before the kick-off, skipper Pino Wilson hoisted the championship trophy aloft to warm applause, a reminder of last season’s triumph under Tommaso Maestrelli. The manager retained the backbone of his title-winning side, making only one change — new signing Roberto Badiani stepping in for Vincenzo D’Amico.

The home side were quickly into their stride, though Cesena, far from overawed, met them head-on. In the 20th minute, a swift break saw Giorgio Chinaglia thunder a shot against the crossbar, moments after Martini had grazed the upright with a crisp effort. At the other end, Giuliano Bertarelli — the visitors’ outstanding performer — twice tested Felice Pulici, the Lazio goalkeeper saving smartly on both occasions.

The breakthrough arrived in the 25th minute. Luciano Re Cecconi slipped a low ball into Chinaglia’s path and the centre-forward, having outpaced Paolo Ammoniaci, struck first time beyond Lamberto Boranga. With the lead secured, Lazio began to flow, hemming the Romagnoli side into their own half.

A defensive lapse on 31 minutes almost cost Cesena dearly when a wayward back-pass fell to Renzo Garlaschelli, whose audacious lob from 30 yards crashed against the top of the crossbar. The second goal did come before the interval: Chinaglia’s free kick dropped to Sergio Petrelli, who controlled on his chest and drove the ball home from close range.

At 2–0, the champions looked set to run away with it. But injuries to Wilson and Petrelli early in the second half slowed the tempo, and Cesena seized their chance. In the 51^st minute, Giampiero Ceccarelli’s cross from the right was met by Bertarelli’s well-placed header to halve the deficit.

The visitors might have drawn level when Giorgio Rognoni broke free of Wilson’s attentions and bore down on goal, only for Pulici to save bravely at his feet. Battista Festa also came close, but again the Lazio goalkeeper proved equal to the task.

Chinaglia, a constant threat, was denied a third by Boranga late on after being set up by the restored D’Amico, who had replaced Franco Nanni in the 74th minute.

The result keeps Lazio level with the early pace-setters, especially as Juventus and Inter both suffered shock defeats, Milan were held at home, and only Napoli among the heavyweights claimed victory. For the champions, it was a performance that recalled the best of last season — disciplined at the back, inventive in midfield, and always dangerous through Chinaglia’s finishing touch.

Who played for Lazio

Pulici, Petrelli, Martini, Wilson, Oddi, Nanni (75’ D’Amico), Garlaschelli, Re Cecconi, Chinaglia, Frustalupi, Badiani