A win was needed and a win it was

Simon Basten
Apr 16, 2023
2 min read

Season 1971-72

Game 29, Serie B

Sunday, April 16, 1972

Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Lazio Reggiana 1-0

Lazio beat Reggiana in the big match of the day and overtake them

Lazio were fourth, just one point behind Reggiana. The top three would be promoted.

It was a big match and the Biancocelesti really needed to win.

The match

The bad weather in Rome over the weekend kept a lot of fans away for this extremely delicate match against a team who in the game at Reggio Emilia had beaten the Biancocelesti but not without controversy. Giorgio Chinaglia had been sent off in the 7th minute after keeper Lamberto Boranga collapsed to the ground after the two players had exchanged words. Long John had not done anything but the ref showed him the red card. As a consequence, today the Lazio fans voiced their "appreciation and admiration" for the Reggiana keeper for the entire match.

Just to prove a point, Giuseppe Papadopulo after just 180 seconds decided to send a message and committed a brutal foul on Gian Pietro Spagnolo. After the first ten minutes Lazio took over control of the game and Giuseppe Massa was dangerous a couple of times before Giuliano Fortunato with a dangerous cross gave Boranga work to do. Shortly after, Alessandro Abbondanza shot a missile which was walled by Roberto Benincasa who then needed the intervention of the medics.

After two minutes in the second half Lazio scored. Gigi Martini crossed from the right, Massa volleyed towards the goal but it was a weak shot. Boranga however, let it go under him and the Biancocelesti were ahead.

At this point Lazio closed Reggiana in their half and had a number of chances to double the score. A Chinaglia header saved by the keeper, a Fortunato shot in the 53rd minute, a bicycle shot from Long John that shaved the crossbar, a powerful strike from Martini which the keeper saved into corner.

At this point Lazio pulled back and Reggiana took control. Giambattista Moschino deflected a shot in the 79th minute forcing Claudio Bandoni to come out of his goal to stop Roberto Stefanello who had another chance shortly after forcing the Biancoceleste keeper to parry a dangerous shot. One minute from time there was a free kick for the visitors and Giorgio Vignando shaved the post.

When referee Gonella closed the game, the fans were able to breathe a sigh of relief. Very important victory for the Biancocelesti now third.

Who played for Lazio

Bandoni, Facco, Papadopulo, Wilson, Polentes, Martini, Massa, Fortunato, Chinaglia, Moschino, Abbondanza (85’ Facchin)