Very important two points

Season 1987-88

Game 23, Serie B

Sunday, March 6, 1988

Stadio Olimpico, Rome 

Lazio Modena 3-0

Lazio score early and consolidate win in the second half

Source Lazio Museum

Lazio started the season slowly. After the first 10 games they 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 Savino and Muro in the second half allowed the Biancocelesti to draw. This was the turning point for the Biancocelesti. They started to climb up the table. From fifth after the game in Puglia, they were now third on 25 points in the company of Cremonese and Bari. Atalanta, second, were three points away and Bologna, leaders, five.

Lazio needed to win today.

The match

Paolo Monelli on the right crossed into the box, Gabriele Savino was unable to head the ball but in came Raimondo Marino who sent a missile that Marco Ballotta could not stop. It was the 4th minute and Lazio were already ahead.

Modena reacted and in the 18th minute Giorgio Boscolo passed a great ball to Andrea Bergamo who from a favourable position kicked wide. The Biancocelesti following the scare tried to put the game to bed but an acrobatic volley from Monelli shaved the crossbar and towards the end of the first half Massimo Piscedda on a marvellous long ball from Gabriele Pin wasted a sitter.

The second half opened with a close-range attempt from Sauro Frutti in the 47th minute on which Silvano Martina's instincts were put to the test but six minutes later it was 2-0 for the home side. A give and go between Pin and Ciro Muro on the right, the former Juve player crossed and Paolo Beruatto with a splendid diving header beat Ballotta. The Canarini manager sent in a third forward Gian Paolo Montesano in place of defender Sandro Vignini, but from then on, the visitors disappeared from the pitch.

The Biancocelesti had a number of chances to make it three, first with Monelli in the 60th minute after a slalom through the Modena defence but his shot went wide. Three minutes later Muro crossed into the box but Pin was unable to make a decent connection. No problem. In the 65th minute a splendid pass from Muro to Mimmo Caso who, as he was about to shoot, was anticipated by Luciano Bellaspica but the ball went into his own net. Game over, comfortable win for the Biancocelesti.

Who played for Lazio

Martina, Marino, Beruatto, Pin, Gregucci, Piscedda, Caso (78’ Biagioni), Acerbis, Monelli, Muro, Savino (61’ Brunetti)

Substitutes: Salafia, Foschi, Nigro

Manager: Fascetti

Who played for Modena

Ballotta, Bellaspica (85' Montesano), Vignini, I.Ballardini, Cotroneo (80' D'Aloisio), Boscolo, Masolini, Frutti, Bergamo, Sorbello

Substitutes: Garuti, Santini, Rabitti

Manager: Mascalaito

Referee: Dal Forno

Goals: 4’ Marino, 53’ Beruatto, 65’ Bellaspica (og)

Sources

Lazio Wiki