Laudrup shines in first official game of the season

Simon Basten
Aug 21, 2023
2 min read

Season 1984-85

Game 1, Coppa Italia Group 3

Wednesday, August 22, 1984

Stadio Flaminio, Rome

Lazio Padova 2-0

A splendid Laudrup and excellent performances from youngsters Fonte and Marini give Lazio a good win in Coppa Italia

Today was the first official game of the season. In preseason the Biancocelesti had played five friendlies against minor teams, two Serie B clubs and Real Saragozza (2-2 at the Flaminio). Coming up was the national cup where Lazio were grouped with Pistoiese, Varese, Genoa, Roma and Padova.

The match

Paolo Carosi had trouble in picking a team for this game since Claudio Vinazzani, Fortunato Torrisi and Arcadio Spinozzi were out of action injured and Arturo Vianello suspended. He chose youngsters Giancarlo Marini, Francesco Fonte and Ernesto Calisti to substitute them and played Lionello Manfredonia as libero.

After a possible penalty with five minutes gone for a foul on Bruno Giordano, in the 12th came a major blow for the Biancocelesti as Massimo Storgato fell badly on his shoulder and had to be substituted. In came Oliviero Garlini who was hence put on the right wing with Calisti moving back. Eight minutes later Lazio scored. Manfredonia to Michael Laudrup on the left of the Padova half, one-two with Marini and in front of the keeper he made no mistake. A great goal.

Lazio had trouble being dangerous in the first half but in the second they created more chances. In the beginning of the second 45 minutes Fonte put a great low ball into the box for Laudrup who could have tried a volley but instead he stopped it and tried to pass to Giordano, but the plan failed. Padova tried to create something but apart from a few scrums in the Biancoceleste box, nothing much happened.

In the 74th minute Lazio scored again. A splendid assist from Marini into the box for Giordano who was fouled by Fabrizio Salvatori. Bruno-gol took the penalty and made no mistake.

A good win for the Biancocelesti, with an excellent Laudrup and good performances from Marini and Fonte.

Who played for Lazio

Orsi, Storgato (13’ Garlini), Filisetti, Manfredonia, Batista, Podavini, Calisti, Fonte, Giordano (80’ D’Amico), Laudrup, Marini