"Manita" to champions

Dag Jenkins

Oct 18, 2023

3 min read

Season 1969-70

Game 6, Serie A

Sunday, October 19, 1969

Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Lazio-Fiorentina 5-1

Despite falling behind early Lazio bury Fiorentina with five goals

In Serie A so far Lazio won 2 (Milan and Sampdoria both 1-0 at home), drawn 1 (Torino 1-1 at home on debut) and lost 2 (Bologna and Cagliari both 0-1 away). The Biancocelesti were joint 6th (with Vicenza, Verona, Bari, Roma and Torino) on 5 points.

Fiorentina were reigning champions. In Serie A they had won 4 (Verona and Sampdoria 1-0 at home, Napoli 1-0 and Vicenza 2-1 away) and lost 1 (Cagliari 0-1 at home recently). The "Gigliati" were joint 2nd (with Inter) on 8 points (behind surprising leaders Cagliari on 9).

The Viola had shown they were beatable a week earlier by losing at home to Cagliari. The Florentines however were unbeaten for 17 months away from home.

The match

A sunny day attracted about 55,000 spectators to the Olimpico.

Lazio were missing defender Giuseppe Papadopulo.

Fiorentina were without midfielders Francesco Rizzo and Claudio Merlo plus forward Amarildo.

The champions started well and after three minutes were already in front. It was however a goal shrouded in controversy. Giorgio Mariani crossed for Mario Maraschi who inadvertently set up Luciano Chiarugi but the Tuscan striker then clearly touched the ball with his arm before beating Rosario Di Vincenzo with a precise left footed strike, 0-1. The Lazio players protested furiously but the goal stood.

Lazio were in disarray and Fiorentina almost doubled with attempts by Salvatore Esposito just wide, Pierluigi Cencetti just high and Chiarugi high again.

After about fifteen minutes Lazio finally entered the fray with shots by Gian Piero Ghio, Piero Cucchi and Giorgio Chinaglia.

Lazio equalised in the 17th minute. Pino Wilson won two challenges on the left and passed to Nello Governato, "Il Professore" battled with Cencetti and Ugo Ferrante and when he reached the byline he hit something between a cross and a shot which surprised Franco Superchi and went in, 1-1.

Lazio were galvanised and four minutes later took the lead. Giuseppe Massa started the move, Carlo Soldo continued it and Cucchi let off a powerful shot which Superchi parried but the ball came back to Cucchi who scored with his second attempt, 2-1.

Fiorentina tried to react but Wilson was at the top of his game and commanded Lazio's defence with authority.

In the 26th minute Lazio got their third. Ghio weaved his way past three defenders and shot, Ferrante got in the way but the ball reached Chinaglia who scored with a low strike, 3-1.

In less than ten minutes Lazio had completely turned the game round.

Late on Lazio had a penalty appeal for a foul by Bernardo Rogora on Ghio but referee Torelli was not interested. Lazio went to the break 3-1 up

In the second half Lazio's defence and midfield continued to dominate and Fiorentina had problems creating any clear cut chances.

It was Lazio who went closer when in the 65th minute Chinaglia crossed and Ghio turned a superb header towards goal but Superchi produced an excellent stop.

A minute later however Lazio struck again. Lorenzo had just told Giuliano Fortunato to warm up to replace a tired Juan Carlos Morrone "El Gaucho" decided to leave his mark before going off. After a one-two with Cucchi he smashed a low shot in near the far post, 4-1.

Ten minutes later Morrone finally went off to a standing ovation.

Fiorentina tried to make the scoreline more respectable but Di Vincenzo was outstanding on a long range Cencetti drive.

In the 82nd minute "Long John" got his brace. Giorgione beat the offside trap and beat the keeper coming off his line, 5-1. An epic win against Fiorentina who had not conceded so many goals for more than four years.

A triumph for Lazio who had swept the Italian champions off the park.

The whole team had played well. They had pace, determination and organisation in an almost perfect performance. Man of the match was a superlative Wilson.

Lazio were now 4th on 7 points (with Roma, Milan, Vicenza and Bologna). Fiorentina were 3rd on 8 while Cagliari had 10 and Inter 9 (the two had drawn 1-1 in Sardinia)

Next up for Lazio was the derby.

Who played for Lazio

Di Vincenzo, Wilson, Facco, Cucchi, Soldo, Marchesi, Massa, Governato, Chinaglia, Ghio, Morrone (77' Fortunato)