Two goals, but not enough

Simon Basten

Sep 4, 2023

4 min read

Season 1985-86

Game 5, Group Stage, Coppa Italia

Wednesday, September 4, 1985

Stadio Flaminio, Rome

Lazio Monopoli 2-0

Lazio beat Monopoli 2–0 at the Flaminio, but the result was insufficient to send them through to the Coppa Italia knockout stages

The season started with the Coppa Italia group stage. Lazio were paired with Atalanta, Sampdoria, Monopoli, Taranto and Catania. After having beaten Catania in the first game, they drew 2-2 in Bergamo coming from two down, drew at Taranto and at home with Samp. Coming into the final game against Monopoli at the Olimpico the table read: Atalanta 6 points, Sampdoria 6, Lazio 5, Monopoli 4, Catania 2, Taranto 1, the top two teams would go forward. Last decisive games: Samp-Atalanta and Lazio-Monopoli. The goal difference would probably be fundamental: Samp and Atalanta were on +4, Lazio on +1.

The match

Lazio completed their Coppa Italia group campaign with a convincing 2–0 victory over Monopoli at the Stadio Olimpico but once again found themselves cruelly denied qualification. Gigi Simoni's side needed to win by four goals to be certain of progressing, but despite dominating virtually the entire match and creating a succession of chances, they could only find the net twice. With Sampdoria and Atalanta drawing 2–2 in Genoa, the result left Lazio level on points with both sides but behind on goal difference.

The frustration was all the greater because Lazio had produced an impressive series of performances during the group stage. They had developed a recognisable style under Simoni, combining organisation with attacking football, and had gone into the final match knowing exactly what was required. Yet the four-goal target proved beyond them.

From the opening whistle, Lazio laid siege to the Monopoli goal. Mimmo Caso was particularly dangerous on the right, repeatedly finding space and supplying crosses. After only three minutes he picked out Giuliano Fiorini, whose header flew over the bar. Two minutes later Lazio thought they had taken the lead when Giorgio Magnocavallo headed Caso's delivery into the net, but the goal was disallowed for an alleged offside involving Oliviero Garlini. The decision provoked loud protests from the home crowd.

The chances continued to arrive. On 20 minutes Fiorini produced an excellent pass for Garlini, who was completely unmarked in the area but headed over. Three minutes later Garlini exploited a misunderstanding between goalkeeper Sandro Mancini and defender Amelio Puce, only to hesitate when presented with the opportunity to shoot. The collision between the two Monopoli players was so severe that Puce had to be carried off the pitch on a stretcher.

Lazio finally got their reward after half an hour. Once again Caso was at the heart of the move, taking a free-kick quickly and finding Gabriele Podavini in space on the right. The defender advanced into the area and calmly sent a low shot beyond Mancini to give Lazio a deserved lead.

The pressure continued. Magnocavallo came close when his shot was deflected towards goal, only for a Monopoli defender to make a desperate clearance just before the ball crossed the line. Lazio went into half-time ahead but knowing that three more goals were still required.

The second half proved considerably more frustrating. Lazio's tempo dropped after the huge effort of the opening period, while Monopoli remained camped in front of its own goal. Lazio did find the net again around the hour mark, but this time the officials were correct to disallow it: Caso's shot was heading into the net, but Fiorini, who followed up the effort, was in an offside position. The decision prompted angry reactions in the stands, and Monopoli goalkeeper Mancini briefly collapsed after apparently being struck by an object thrown from the crowd. He was treated and was able to continue.

As the minutes passed, Lazio began to realise that the required four-goal margin was slipping away. Caso, who had been the principal source of attacking inspiration, faded physically, and nobody in midfield was able to replace his creativity. The attacks became increasingly predictable.

There was still time for another surge. With 14 minutes remaining, Francesco Dell'Anno's free-kick was deflected by Caso onto the crossbar. A minute later Monopoli were reduced to ten men when Aldo Finetto, already booked, was sent off for a foul on Magnocavallo. Lazio now had a numerical advantage, and finally found their second goal in the 85th minute.

Magnocavallo launched Dell'Anno down the left, and the substitute reached the area before anticipating Mancini and delivering the ball towards Caso. The winger rose to head the ball into the net and make it 2–0.

Lazio pushed desperately for the third and fourth goals. Mancini denied Fabio Poli and Dell'Anno in quick succession, while Fiorini struck the crossbar with a late header. The final whistle confirmed a 2–0 victory—but also Lazio's elimination.

It was a particularly painful exit. Lazio had won three of their five group matches and remained unbeaten, yet the two draws against Atalanta and Sampdoria ultimately proved decisive. The failure to convert their overwhelming superiority against Monopoli into the necessary goals meant that Simoni's team were left to reflect on what might have been.

For Monopoli, surviving with only a two-goal defeat was enough to play a decisive role in the qualification battle. For Lazio, it was another case of playing well but being punished by the unforgiving mathematics of the Coppa Italia group stage.

Who played for Lazio

Malgioglio, Podavini, Calisti, Galbiati, Calcaterra, Magnocavallo (89' Toti), Poli, Vinazzani (64' Fonte), Fiorini, Caso, Garlini (35' Dell'Anno)