Signori penalty saves Lazio's blushes

Dag Jenkins
Apr 25, 2023
4 min read

Season 1992-93

Game 29, Serie A

Sunday, April 25, 1993

Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Lazio-Pescara 2-1

A last-minute penalty gives Lazio useful two points after poor performance

So far, Lazio had played 28 league games. The Biancocelesti were in joint 3rd position, with Parma and Juventus 32 on points.

Pescara were struggling despite a fantastic debut. They only had 12 points, were bottom of the table (12 points from safety) and came from 6 consecutive defeats. Things were not looking good for the Dolphins, to put it mildly.

So, Lazio were overwhelming favourites today to continue their push for a place in Europe. Nothing more than a win could prolong Pescara's agony and even that might not be enough.

The match

A grey day in the capital attracted about 40,000 spectators to see Lazio play bottom of the table opposition.

Lazio had some important absences in Paul Gascoigne, Aron Winter and Thomas Doll. Pescara were without defenders Salvatore Alfieri, Ubaldo Righetti and forward Frederic Massara.

The game followed the expected pattern with Lazio forward and managing to create chances to take the lead. Beppe Signori was hypnotised by the keeper and Karl-Heinz Riedle was off balance on the rebound. Dario Marcolin then had a go from outside the box but he pulled his low left foot wide. Nothing special but Lazio were in control.

The Biancocelesti went in front in the 24th minute. A poor clearance by the Pescara defence fell to Beppe Favalli who scored from the edge of the box. Lazio 1 Pescara 0.

Lazio then inexplicably disappeared from the game, maybe thinking they had done enough to win with the minimum effort.

Pescara and especially Carlos Dunga had other ideas. Just after the half hour mark the Brazilian tried his luck from a distance and Fernando Orsi saved with some difficulty. A few minutes later the Lazio keeper had to repeat himself on Emiliano De Juliis.

In the 42nd minute the Adriatici equalised. A sturdy but not dirty challenge by Luca Luzardi on De Juliis was punished with a spot kick. Massimiliano Allegri put it away, Lazio 1 Pescara 1 at half time.

For the second half the visitors replaced defender Salvator Nobile with the same role player Gianluca Rosone.

Lazio did not improve and Pescara played with increasing confidence. The Biancazzurri from Abruzzo were superior in midfield and created several chances. Fortunately for Lazio, Stefano Borgonovo was late on a couple of Allegri assists. Allegri himself went close with a freekick but Orsi saved.

Lazio had a chance with a good Riedle header but Fabio Marchioro slapped it away from the right post.

In the 67th minute Lazio strengthened the midfield by putting on Claudio Sclosa and taking off Favalli.

Dunga then had a powerful low free kick but Orsi parried and on the rebound Giuseppe Compagno laid it back for an Ottavio Palladini effort but the Roman keeper blocked.

Things went better in the last 20 minutes but Lazio still had huge problems creating anything remotely dangerous.

They did manage to score in the 77th minute when Signori blasted in a left foot on the near post but it was disallowed for a dubious offside.

In the 85th minute Pescara took off their best player of the afternoon, Allegri, replacing him with Massimo Epifani.

Just when it seemed Lazio had thrown away an expected win they were awarded a penalty. In the 90th minute Giovanni Stroppa, fed by Marcolin, found space in the area but was pulled down by former Lazio Stefano Ferretti before he could shoot and referee Racalbuto had no doubts. Signori took his usual penalty with no run-up, almost standing over the ball, hammering it to Marchioro's right. Lazio 2 Pescara 1 and final score.

A scrappy win for Lazio who had not played well at all. They had missed Winter, Gascoigne and Doll more than expected and were fortunate to clinch the win. The two points were the only decent thing to take away from today's performance.

Pescara had battled hard and for prolonged periods had been the better team. They went home with nothing though, just a travel voucher for Serie B.

Lazio were still joint 3rd with Parma (Roma 3-1) and Juventus (Fiorentina 3-1), all on 34 points, with Sampdoria on 33 (Atalanta 2-1 away).

Pescara were still obviously bottom but now 13 points from safety with 6 games to go. This meant the Dolphins were officially relegated.

Who played for Lazio

Orsi, Bergodi, Favalli (67' Sclosa), Bacci, Luzardi, Cravero, Fuser, Marcolin, Riedle, Stroppa, Signori