Game 17, Serie A
Sunday, February 20, 1977
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio Fiorentina 4-1
A Rossi double and goals from D’Amico and Viola demolish Fiorentina
The season was marred by tragedy. On December 4 Tommaso Maestrelli died. The Biancoceleste derby win was the last present his boys were able to give him. Furthermore, on January 18, Luciano Re Cecconi was shot by a jeweller as he walked into his shop. He was only 28 years of age.
On the pitch Lazio had started well and after winning the derby at the end of November they were third. But since then, they had not won a match and were currently 8th.
The match
Lazio had Bruno Giordano and Renzo Garlaschelli suspended plus Gigi Martini who was still in shock over the death of his friend Re Cecconi not fit for the game. So, space for Renzo Rossi and Fernando Viola.
Fiorentina began well and scored in the 10th minute with Gianfranco Casarsa but Viola managed to equalise four minutes later. The visitors lost Sergio Zuccheri due to injury and manager Carlo Mazzone had to re-organise the defence. He did not do a good job judging by the consequent Biancoceleste first half onslaught.
In the 31st minute Rossi took advantage of a complete no show by the Fiorentina defence and Vincenzo D’Amico with a fantastic free kick six minutes later gave Lazio the double advantage, which became 4-1 at the end of the first half again thanks to Rossi.
Nothing much happened in the second 45 minutes. Lazio were content with what they had produced in the first half and Fiorentina lacked the strength to reduce the deficit.
Finally, a win for the Biancocelesti after eight games in which they had only earned five points.
Who played for Lazio
Pulici, Pighin, Ammoniaci, Wilson, Manfredonia, Cordova, Rossi, Agostinelli, Viola, D’Amico (83’ Lopez), Badiani
Manager: Vinicio
Who played for Fiorentina
Mattolini, Tendi, Rossinelli, Pellegrini E., Galdiolo, Zuccheri S. (14' Restelli), Caso, Gola, Casarsa, Antognoni, Bertarelli
Substitutes: Ginulfi, Bagnato
Manager: Mazzone
Referee: Mattei
Goals: 10' Casarsa, 14' Viola, 31' Rossi, 37' D'Amico, 45' Rossi
Sources
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