Two valuable points despite a dreadful Lazio

Simon Basten
May 10, 2024
3 min read

Season 1980-81

Game 32, Serie B

Sunday, May 10, 1981

Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Lazio Monza 2-0

One of the worst games of the season so far, but at least Lazio won

After 15 games Lazio were top of the table with a one-point lead over Milan and four over third place (the first three were promoted). A long way to go yet but there was optimism. The Biancocelesti had won 7 and drawn 8 and had not lost yet.

Then came Lazio vs Milan, first game of 1981. The Rossoneri easily won 2-0. The shock probably instilled a doubt in the player’s mind and the Biancocelesti started to lose ground. They were currently third as Cesena had recently overtaken them. The table read Milan 43, Cesena 40, Lazio 38, Genoa 37, Sampdoria 36. No need to underline how a win would be important today especially because Monza were last.

The match

Ticket owned by Dag Jenkins, photo by Dag Jenkins

A disaster for over an hour. Against Monza, who sat at the bottom of the table, Lazio put on one of the most dismal performances of the season. Lacking physical sharpness, ideas, and competitive spirit, the Biancocelesti were fortunate to face an opponent now devoid of motivation.

From a tactical standpoint as well, Lazio’s shortcomings were alarming. The introduction of Pietro Ghedin at full-back, who was supposed to provide attacking thrust down the flanks from deep, turned out to be a complete failure. In the second half, Ilario Castagner replaced him with Claudio Simoni, but without achieving any noticeable improvement. The return of Alberto Bigon was highly anticipated; in the coach’s plans, he was meant to restore the Roman side’s lost brilliance. Instead, the former Milan player clearly showed the effects of his long absence from competitive play. Only two players managed to partially salvage themselves from the near-total collapse: Paolo Pochesci and Arcadio Spinozzi, who succeeded in neutralizing Monza’s Paolo Monelli and Daniele Massaro.

The young Antonio Acerbis, however, looked far more impressive, repeatedly troubling Lazio’s defence on his own with quick counterattacks.

After Lazio nearly scored with Renzo Garlaschelli in the 2nd minute, at the other end Massaro, with an open goal, astonishingly missed the chance to give his team the lead—later imitated by Nando Viola, who nonetheless was not among the worst performers. Goalkeeper Dario Marigo then had to pull off his most difficult save to prevent an own goal by Carlo Perrone. The fans were losing patience. From the stands there were some boos and whistles of dissatisfaction.

In the second half, the modest Monza again came close to scoring with Acerbis, incr the home side's anxiety.

However, in the 62nd minute, Viola—collecting a poor clearance from Gianfranco Motta—scored with a powerful shot into the top corner, putting an end to what was becoming a nightmare. After a dangerous move by Monelli that nearly brought an equaliser, Lazio secured the decisive second goal ten minutes from the end through Fillipo Citterio who advanced from midfield, reached the edge of the penalty area, and chipped the ball over the goalkeeper Roberto Marconcini. But it would take much more to ignite the enthusiasm of Lazio’s fans, who were rightly concerned. Fortunately the draw in the Genoa derby allowed the Biancocelesti to gain a point over the rivals for promotion, but there were still six games left and Lazio were playing terribly.

Who played for Lazio

Marigo, Spinozzi, Ghedin (46' Simoni), Perrone, Pochesci, Citterio, Viola, Bigon, Garlaschelli, Mastropasqua, Greco