Still hope for Europe
- Dag Jenkins
- Apr 7, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: May 8
Game 30, Serie A
Sunday, April 7, 2002
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio-Lecce 1-0
A Fiore goal keeps Lazio's sights on European football
Lazio were currently 7th on 41 points, 5 behind Chievo in the last European UEFA slot. A week earlier Lazio had earned a good away point away to Juventus.
Lecce were currently 16th on 27 points, 6 below the last survival slot (Piacenza on 33). The Salentini had won 6, drawn 9 and lost 14 (including Lazio 1-2 at home). In the previous game however, they had beaten Venezia 2-1 at home.
Lazio had to win today to keep any European football hopes alive but Lecce were desperate for points so it would not be easy.
The match
A 35,000 crowd gathered for this Sunday 8.30 p.m kick-off.
Lazio were without keeper Angelo Peruzzi but had midfielder Diego Pablo "El Cholo" Simeone back on the bench after six months. Lecce were missing defender Bruno Cirillo and midfielder Cristian Ledesma.
The game started at a slow pace and this set the tone for the whole first half. Lazio attacked but were rarely really dangerous. Stefano Fiore had a weak low shot saved, Claudio Lopez and Fernando Couto headers go wide and Dejan Stankovic had the most threatening effort but Antonio Chimenti saved into corner. Halftime came with the match goalless after an uneventful 45 minutes.
In the second half Lazio looked more interested. They immediately orchestrated a good move with Fabio Liverani and Fiore who set up Stankovic running in towards goal from the left but the Serb's shot was deflected over the bar by a last ditch Gheorge Popescu tackle.
In the 57th minute a lovely long ball from Liverani found Lopez in the area but Chimenti snatched the ball away from the Argentine's feet.
In the 58th minute came the first replacement for Lecce, Cristian Silvestri coming on for Phillipe Billy and a minute later an ovation welcomed Simeone when he took Karel Poborsky's place.
In the 62nd minute the Biancocelesti went extremely close. Jaap Stam crossed from the right, Fiore headed but it came back off Popescu, he tried again with a shot but it was blocked by Alessandro Conticchio and then his third attempt shaved the post.
In the 65th minute Lazio scored. Stankovic went down the right and from the by-line put in a high cross to the far post where Fiore volleyed with his left foot, the ball bounced and then Popescu headed clear but already over the line according to the linesman and referee. Lazio 1 Lecce 0.
The Salentini protested furiously but looking at the replays it looked like the right decision (this was before goal line technology).
In the 70th minute the Giallorossi threw on another forward, Axel Konan for midfielder Guillermo Giacomazzi.
In the 73rd minute the visitors had a freekick from the edge of the box and Uruguay's Ernesto Chevanton fired a shot not too far off the left-hand post.
In the 79th minute there was applause for both Lucas Castromán who went off and for Guerino Gottardi who came on. Three minutes later Stankovic went off for Brazilian César.
In the 81st minute a young Montenegrin, Mirko Vučinić replaced Conticchio. Four minutes later he almost scored but his pointed effort from just inside the box went just wide to Luca Marchegiani's right.
In injury time Davor Vugrinec got a second yellow card and was off. There was no time left anyway and Lazio conquered their fourth consecutive positive result. Final score Lazio 1 Lecce 0.
A just about deserved win for Lazio after a lacklustre first half. Lecce had come out of their shell eventually but it was too little too late.
Lazio were still 7th, now on 44 points but only three behind Chievo who had drawn with Milan. Europe was still possible.
Lecce were still 16th on 27 points but now seven points below the last survival slot (Udinese and Brescia on 34).
Who played for Lazio
Marchegiani, Stam, Nesta, F. Couto, Favalli, Poborsky (59' Simeone), Castroman (79' Gottardi), Liverani, Stankovic (82' César), Fiore, C. Lopez
Substitutes: Favazza, Pancaro, Mihajlovic, Evacuo
Manager: Zaccheroni
Who played for Lecce
Chimenti, Juarez, Popescu, Stovini, Billy (58' Silvestri), Conticchio (81' Vucinic), Piangerelli, Giacomazzi (70' Konan), Tonetto, Vugrinec, Chevantón
Substitutes: Colonnello, Savino, Superbi
Manager: D. Rossi
Referee: Farina
Goal: 68' Fiore
Red Card: 91' Vugrinec
Sources
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