Bruno-Gol strikes twice

Dag Jenkins
Apr 3, 2024
4 min read

Updated: May 3

Season 1976-77

Game 23, Serie A

Sunday, April 3, 1977

Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Lazio-Inter 2-1

Two goals by Roman striker give Lazio good win

In Serie A, Lazio lost the opener (Juventus 2-3 at home) and were now in mid-table. After losing their debut the Biancocelesti had won 6 (including first derby 1-0), drawn 8 (including Inter 1-1) and lost 7 (including recent second derby 0-1). Lazio were currently 10th on 20 points.

It had not been an easy season for Lazio. Tommaso Maestrelli died on December 2 1976.

Yet another tragedy hit Lazio on January 18, 1977. One of their star players Luciano Re Cecconi died tragically at 28. He was shot by a jeweller in a shop in north Rome. Initially it seemed it may have been a prank gone wrong and that Re Cecconi had jokingly simulated a hold up, pretending to have a gun in his coat pocket. This has since been challenged, especially by his teammate Pietro Ghedin who was with him at the time. It emerged that the jeweller just panicked, he had already shot at someone before and was on edge, while the Lazio player had done nothing suspicious at all. It did not help that the jeweller did not follow football and so did not recognise "Cecco" who had even played for the national team. The sad fact remains that Re Cecconi died at 28.

In Serie A, Inter were 3rd on 26 points. They had won 8, drawn 10 (including Lazio 1-1 and both derbies) and lost 4. They were however winless in the last five games (D4, L1). The Nerazzurri were 11 points behind Juventus and 10 Torino, so out of the title race.

A difficult game to predict today. Neither team was particularly on form. Inter had not won since February 21 and Lazio came from a derby defeat.

The match

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

Lazio were without Vincenzo D'Amico while Inter had forward Carlo Muraro unavailable.

Lazio went in front almost immediately. In the 5th minute Renzo Garlaschelli hooked a ball towards goal from outside the area but it came off Giacinto Facchetti's face and fell comfortably to Bruno Giordano who easily beat an already wrong footed Ivano Bordon. Lazio 1 Inter 0.

Inter reacted and forced Lazio on the back foot. In the 18th minute Sandro Mazzola went close but hit the crossbar.

A minute later Lazio had a huge chance to double their lead but Ciccio Cordova with only the keeper to beat managed to miss.

Inter were let off the hook and attacked again. They equalised in the 28th minute but, like Lazio's goal, it was helped by an element of luck. Anastasi went for a shot which did not look particularly dangerous but it then hit Giacomo Libera and sent Felice Pulici the wrong way. Lazio 1 Inter 1.

Lazio felt the blow and faded while Inter were unable to take advantage of the situation. Half time 1-1.

In the second half Lazio reorganised and dominated. It was one-way traffic with Lazio attacking constantly. In the 65th minute the Biancocelesti's pressure seemed about to be rewarded when the referee gave a penalty for a Facchetti handball on a shot by Cordova. Fernando Viola took it but kicked it centrally and straight into Bordon's arms.

This time Lazio reacted well from the setback and continued to push forward looking for a winner.

In the 75th minute the visitors replaced Giorgio Roselli with a more defensive midfielder Giuseppe Pavone.

Inter defended but were increasingly groggy. They finally capitulated in the 82nd minute. Roberto Badiani crossed, Garlaschelli astutely back-heeled and Giordano hammered in from close range. Lazio 2 Inter 1.

Lazio's superiority almost brought a third goal but Lionello Manfredonia was denied by the crossbar. Final score 3-1.

An excellent win for the Biancocelesti. They had deserved the two points. Despite some periods of difficulty Lazio had been more determined and had far more chances. The midfield in particular had played well with Cordova, Andrea Agostinelli and Gigi Martini dominating, especially in the second half. Giordano however with his two goals was obviously man of the match.

Lazio were now on 22 points and moved up to joint 8th with Verona and Genoa, only two points behind Roma.

Inter fell down to 5th on 26 points. The Nerazzurri were overtaken by both Fiorentina and Napoli.

Who played for Lazio

Pulici, Ammoniaci, Martini, Wilson, Manfredonia, Cordova, Garlaschelli, Agostinelli, Giordano, Viola, Badiani