Game 21, Serie B
Sunday, February 14, 1988
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio Messina 2-0
Two goals in 9 minutes close the game early
There was a lot of expectation this year for Lazio, especially because the slots for promotion were increased to four as Serie A was going to expand the number of teams from 16 to 18, but the Biancocelesti started slowly. After the first 10 games Lazio were 12th, not too far away from the promotion zone, but still not in a good position. A couple of wins pushed them back up but then four consecutive draws, three of which goalless, did not give them the boost that was needed.
Then came the game at Taranto. Lazio were losing 3-1 after 35 minutes but goals from Gabriele Savino and Ciro Muro in the second half allowed the Biancocelesti to draw and the week after Lazio won at San Benedetto del Tronto. The Biancocelesti were fifth on 23 points together with Lecce, preceded by Cremonese and Bari on 24, Atalanta on 25 and Bologna on 27. Getting closer.
The match: Sunday, February 14, 1988, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
After only two minutes Lazio were already ahead. Freekick from the left from Muro, ball in the box, Massimo Susic tried to anticipate Paolo Monelli but put the ball in his own net.
The Biancocelesti went for the immediate kill and Giuseppe Galderisi in the 8th minute was clearly fouled in the box, but the referee just gave a corner. After the cross several players tried to get hold of the ball but it reached the edge of the area and Savino with a clinical shot made it 2-0 for Lazio.
In the 12th minute Angelo Gregucci on a corner kick headed the ball against the crossbar and two minutes later a Marco De Simone header almost made the own goals two but he was saved by the crossbar. In the 24th minute splendid one-two Domenico Caso-Muro, ball to Monelli unmarked in front of the keeper, but his shot went wide.
Messina did try a comeback but Silvano Martina did well in stopping a Totò Schillaci attempt. In the second half Lazio slowed down and spent the second 45 minutes controlling the game. The Sicilian Giallorossi did have a chance in the 50th minute with a Giusepe Catalano free kick which was parried by Martina and then Savino, in an attempt to clear the area, mis-kicked the ball which almost went in.
Good win for Lazio, now third.
Who played for Lazio
Martina, Marino (42’ Brunetti), Beruatto, Pin, Gregucci, Savino, Caso, Acerbis, Galderisi (73’ Esposito), Muro, Monelli
Substitutes: Salafia, Foschi, Nigro
Manager: Fascetti
Who played for Messina
Nieri, Susic, S. Di Chiara, De Simone, Petitti, Da Mommio (46' Manari), S. Schillaci, Cuccovillo (60' Di Fabio), Lerda, Catalano, Mossini
Substitutes: Paleari, Gobbo, Orati
Manager: Scoglio
Referee: Pucci
Goals: 2' Susic (og), 9' Savino
Sources
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