Game 2, Serie A
Sunday, September 23, 1979
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio-Fiorentina 2-0
Goals by Garlaschelli and Giordano give Lazio a good win
So far, the Biancocelesti had played one league game and drawn 0-0 away at Avellino. Today was their home debut.
On their debut Fiorentina had drawn 1-1 at home to Udinese.
A difficult game to predict between two similar level teams today.
The match
Torrential rain fell on the capital all day and the pitch was heavy. About 35,000 fans turned up for Lazio's home league debut.
Before the game Bruno Giordano was given the "Chevron" award for being Serie A top scorer the previous season. Maurizio Montesi was also given an award, the "Enzo Petrucci" trophy as best Roman player from the youth sector.
Lazio had everyone available while Fiorentina could not choose defender Giovanni Guerrini or forward Claudio Desolati.
The game got under way in pouring rain.
In the 12th minute Lazio took the lead. Filippo Citterio burst down the wing, beat a defender, stumbled but regained his balance and crossed into the middle where the keeper dived but missed it and it bounced and reached Giordano on the far post who twisted his body and sent a low header back towards and into the goal. Lazio 1 Fiorentina 0.
Fiorentina had chances to equalise but a Dino Pagliari header went wide and one by Ezio Sella was excellently saved by Massimo Cacciatori. The game was balanced, Lazio had a central Vincenzo Zucchini shot blocked by Giovanni Galli and Pagliari had another header just out again. Halftime Lazio 1 Fiorentina 0.
In the second half Fiorentina pushed forward constantly but the best chances were for Lazio. Renzo Garlaschelli had a powerful shot saved and Zucchini fired wide from a favourable position after a clever back heel by Giordano.
Fiorentina forced Cacciatori to a flying save on a Giancarlo Antognoni shot and tried for an equaliser until the end.
In the 90th minute one of their last desperate attempts to get the ball into the area was intercepted by the Lazio defence. The ball reached Montesi who took it 30 metres forward and with a brilliant through pass with the outside of his foot set up Garlaschelli in front of goal, the forward took the ball on for a few metres and from edge of the area blasted a right foot into the roof of the net to Galli's left. Lazio 2 Fiorentina 0.
Lazio then scored again but Garlaschelli's close range header was disallowed for offside. Final score Lazio 2 Fiorentina 0.
An even game but the quality of Lazio's strikers had made the difference. For Fiorentina, Antognoni had confirmed to be by far their best player. Lazio were momentarily top of the table, albeit with another five teams.
Who played for Lazio
Cacciatori, Tassotti, Citterio, Wilson, Manfredonia, Zucchini, Garlaschelli, Montesi, Giordano, D'Amico (85' Lopez), Viola
Manager: Lovati
Who played for Fiorentina
Galli, Lelj (63' Ferroni), Tendi, Galbiati, Zagano, Orlandini, Sacchetti, Restelli, Sella, Antognoni, Pagliari
Substitutes: Pellicanò, Ricciarelli
Manager: Carosi
Referee: Casarin
Goals: 12' Giordano, 90' Garlaschelli
Sources
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