Theatre or football?

Dag Jenkins
Mar 1, 2024
3 min read

Season 1969-70

Game 22, Serie A

Sunday, March 1, 1970

Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Lazio Roma 1-1

A hard-fought derby with chances for both sides but Roma equalise with controversial penalty

In Serie A Lazio had won 7 (including Milan 1-0 and Fiorentina 5-1, both at home), drawn 3 and lost 10 (including the away derby 1-2). The previous week Lazio had lost 0-2 in Florence. Lazio had 17 points in the table and were 12th (three points above the last relegation slot-Palermo on 14).

Roma were currently 7th on 21 points. The Giallorossi had won 7, drawn 7 and lost 7 (including the most recent game 0-1 at home to Milan).

The Giallorossi were slight favourites today as they were higher in the table and had won the first derby, but the Roman Stracittadine are always open to any result.

The match

A sunny but fresh day saw about 60,000 spectators at the Olimpico.

Lazio were without defender Mario Facco and forward Juan Carlos Morrone while Roma had no absences.

Roma however fielded a nightmare trio for commentators: Cappelli, Cappellini and Capello…

The first chance was for Roma as a Cappellini shot shaved the post. Lazio answered with a Ferruccio Mazzola freekick, but Alberto Ginulfi was well positioned and safe.

In the 6th minute Lazio had a big chance when Nello Governato's long range effort was saved but with a dose of luck by Ginulfi, the ball then fell to Mazzola who looked to score but Aldo Bet deflected the ball behind for a corner.

Roma then had an extremely dangerous opportunity themselves. In the 14th minute Ciccio Cordova went round the keeper Michelangelo Sulfaro, but his shot came back off the post.

After attempts by Lazio's Governato and Giuliano Fortunato the game quietened down for a while.

In the 34th minute Bet seemed to trip Giorgio Chinaglia in the area but not according to the referee.

Just before halftime Renato Cappellini was a fraction late on a Cordova assist. At the break Lazio 0 Roma 0.

Lazio started the second half well. On a good Chinaglia-Ghio-Governato move, the "Professore" found himself with only the keeper to beat but he hesitated and lost the moment. Then Mazzola threatened with a long-range effort which Ginulfi managed to block at the second attempt.

In the 48th minute Lazio scored. Fortunato exchanged a one-two with Governato and sent a left-footed strike into the top hand corner, 1-0.

Roma reacted and pegged Lazio back. In the 60th minute the Giallorossi were awarded a controversial penalty. Cappellini picked up a clearance by the defence and hit the post, the rebound was pounced on by Joaquín Peiró but as he was about to shoot, he collapsed to the ground seemingly not touched by anyone. The referee however pointed to the penalty spot amid furious protests by the Lazio players. The Spaniard was accused of diving, but the referee had fallen for it and was clearly not going to change his mind. Fabio Capello took it and Sulfaro touched his mid-height shot but the ball went in anyway, 1-1.

At this point Roma made a substitution, taking off defender Luciano Spinosi and bringing on Francesco Scaratti.

Lazio were not pleased with the referee and things got worse. Chinaglia and Gian Piero Ghio were attacking two against one with only Sergio Santarini back defending when the referee blew up for a mysterious previous foul. The Curva Nord openly contested the man in black's decisions.

The last chance was for the Biancocelesti. A few minutes from the end Chinaglia anticipated Bet and shot but Ginulfi pulled off an excellent save. Full time Lazio 1 Roma 1.

Lazio had been the better team but had to settle for a draw. Not for the first time in history the Giallorossi had been awarded a dubious penalty in a derby. One of the most ridiculous would be on April 30, 2017, for a theatrical Kevin Strootman dive but then luckily Lazio managed to win anyway. Today the final verdict was a point each.

Lazio were 12th on 18 points (still three above B zone - now Bari on 15). Roma were 7th, on 22 points with Torino.

Who played for Lazio

Sulfaro, Wilson, Polentes, Governato, Papadopulo, Marchesi, Massa, F.Mazzola, Chinaglia, Ghio, Fortunato