An angel descends on the Olimpico

Season 1987-88

Game 32, Serie B

Sunday, May 8, 1988

Stadio Olimpico, Rome 

Lazio Genoa 1-0

A last second goal by Angelo Gregucci gives Lazio vital two points

Source Lazio Wiki

Lazio were currently fourth in the company of Catanzaro and Cremonese on 36 points, one point behind Lecce and three from Atalanta. Bologna, six points away, already had more than a foot in Serie A. There were seven games left and the Biancocelesti had to win as many of them as possible.

The match

After just 33 seconds Lazio had a chance. Paolo Beruatto crossed from the left, Paolo Monelli volleyed towards the goal, Attilio Gregori managed to parry. In the 7th minute there was a probable penalty for Genoa when Vincenzo Esposito fouled Antonio Di Carlo in the box, but the referee was not convinced. Lazio continued to press Genoa and had numerous opportunities to score with Monelli, who tried a shot which was too wide, Gabriele Savino, with a shot from out just outside the box but it went too high, Antonio Rizzolo in the 24th with a volley that Gregori saved with his foot, and an Angelo Gregucci header off a Ciro Muro freekick which was just over the bar. Genoa on the counterattack around the half hour, Silvano Martina was forced to come out of the penalty area and head the ball away, Di Carlo tried a volley, but a Lazio defender saved into corner.

The second half was less spectacular as the heat and tiredness set in. Genoa, who appealed for another penalty for a possible Raimondo Marino foul on Luigi Marulla, had a chance with Ferdinando Signorelli who missed the ball from a very favourable position in the 73rd minute. 60 seconds later, Muro tried a shot, Gregori parried, Monelli tried again but  hit the woodwork.

As the game was coming to an end, the Biancocelesti scored. Esposito crossed from the right, in came Gregucci with a diving header and it was victory for Lazio.

A fundamental win with, for once, a little help from the ref.

Who played for Lazio

Martina, Marino, Beruatto, Esposito, Gregucci, Savino (48’ Camolese), Caso, Acerbis, Rizzolo (66’ Galderisi), Muro, Monelli

Substitutes: Salafia, Piscedda, Biagioni

Manager: Fascetti

Who played for Genoa

Gregori, Torrente, Trevisan, Pecoraro, Caricola II, Mastrantonio, Rotella (50' Chiappino), Eranio, Marulla, Di Carlo, Signorelli I (78' A. Agostinelli)

Substitutes: Guazzi, Visca, Briaschi

Manager: Perotti 

Referee: Cornieti

Goal: 90’ Gregucci

Sources

Lazio Wiki