Three-horse race

Dag Jenkins
Jun 7, 2024
3 min read

Season 1980-81

Game 36, Serie B

Sunday, June 7, 1981

Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Lazio Cesena 2-0

Lazio win crucial promotion clash and join Cesena and Genoa in second place

Ticket owned by Dag Jenkins, photo by Dag Jenkins

Lazio had promotion ambitions and had started well with 7 wins and 8 draws in the first 15 games but then slowed down. Lazio were currently joint 3rd, on 42 points with Genoa.

Cesena were currently in 2nd place on 44 points.

There were three promotion slots available, the table read: Milan 47, Cesena 44, Lazio and Genoa 42, Sampdoria 40.

Today was a crucial promotion clash for both sides. With a win Lazio could reach 2nd place while Cesena could put more than a foot in Serie A.

The match

A summery day brought about 40,000 to the Olimpico for this big match.

Lazio had several absences; defenders Carlo Perrone, Paolo Pochesci, and Arcadio Spinozzi plus forward Giuseppe Greco were all suspended. In addition, striker Stefano Chiodi was also unavailable.

Cesena were missing defender Giampiero Ceccarelli and had top scorer Antonio Bordon on the bench.

The fans warmly welcomed back Scudetto legend Giancarlo Oddi before kick-off.

Despite missing five first team players Lazio started with confidence while Cesena had clearly come to the capital for a point.

The Romagnoli's line-up and their defensive tactics made it difficult for Lazio to create many clear-cut chances.

In the 19th minute the Bianconeri were forced to replace an injured forward Ferdinando Bozzi with midfielder Luciano Fusini.

Lazio attacked and had a few chances to score. First Raoul Albani was denied by Angelo Recchi diving low at his feet. In the 34th minute Fernando Viola was beaten to the ball by a fraction of a second by the keeper after an excellent through ball by Alberto Bigon.

In the 35th minute the Laziali appealed for a penalty when Massimo Bonini fouled Dario Sanguin but Barbaresco claimed it was just outside the area.

The visitors, after defending for the whole half, had a chance right at the end. In the 43rd minute Daniele Arrigoni hit a low shot towards the left corner but Dario Marigo got down well to his right and saved. Halftime came with the game still goalless.

The news from the radios was not comforting as Genoa were leading Catania.

For the second half Bagnoli decided to field top scorer Bordon instead of Fabrizio Lucchi.

Lazio continued to be on the front foot and now played with even more determination seeing the current league table situation.

Cesena pulled even further back possibly by choice or forced by Lazio. Viola had a good effort from outside the box but his shot was just off target. Lazio's biggest chance came in the 67th minute but Bigon's header from a Filippo Citterio cross went agonisingly wide.

Castagner then took off Albani and put on a more dynamic Lorenzo Marronaro.

Just as it seemed the Seahorses had weathered the storm the Eagles swooped. In the 73rd minute Giovanni Mei pulled down Bigon at the edge of the area for a freekick. Sanguin rolled it to Citterio who stopped it and in came Viola who hammered a mid-height shot past Recchi. After the game Bigon claimed to have got a touch with his chest in the wall but the goal was given to Viola. Lazio 1 Cesena 0 and wild celebrations in the Olimpico.

Lazio realised it was a favourable moment and insisted. In the 79th minute Sanguin hit a low shot in a crowded area where veteran Renzo Garlaschelli got a touch, the keeper and defender Mei clashed and the ball rolled slowly into the net. Lazio 2 Cesena 0.

Cesena who had planned their game around defending the point had nothing to give after this double blow. Final score Lazio 2 Cesena 0.

Lazio thoroughly deserved to win this promotion clash. A positive performance full of heart and desire.

With two games to go the table now read; Milan 48, Lazio 44, Genoa 44, Cesena 44, Sampdoria 41, for three places in Serie A.

Who played for Lazio

Marigo, Pighin, Simoni, Mastropasqua, Ghedin, Citterio, Sanguin, Bigon, Albani (69' Marronaro), Viola, Garlaschelli