Game 1, Serie B
Sunday, September 13, 1987
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio Sambenedettese 2-0
Two first half goals by Monelli and Pin kick off promotion dream
Lazio had already started their season in Coppa Italia. They had won 2 (Lecce 1-0 and Casertana 2-0, both at home), drawn 2 (Pisa 0-0 away and Juventus 1-1 at home, then lost on penalties) and lost 1 (Catanzaro 0-5 away) and were eliminated.
Today was more important, the Biancocelesti's league debut for their promotion push.
Lazio at home hoped to get their promotion drive off to a winning start today against opponents expected to end up lower to mid table.
The match
A sweltering September day saw about 40,000 gather for Lazio's league debut.
The team news was that Lazio had midfielder Antonio Elia Acerbis and forward Antonio Rizzolo unavailable while the visitors were without defender Marco Saltarelli, midfielder Massimo Ficcadenti plus forwards Egidio Pirozzi and Paolo Mandelli.
Lazio predictably started out on the attack. Sambenedettese pulled back in their own half hoping to take home the point. This was a tactical approach Lazio would often likely to be faced with this season.
The visitors defended well and in the first hour Lazio only had one chance, albeit a huge one, when Gabriele Pin missed a sitter in the 27th minute. The Biancocelesti had previously had a penalty appeal waved away when Nobili clearly rugby tackled Giuseppe Galderisi.
As often is the case Lazio were then awarded a penalty for a seemingly less obvious foul. In the 32nd minute Gabriele Savino clashed with Ferrari in the area and it was unclear who had gone into who but the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Paolo Monelli did not miss the opportunity; the keeper went the right way but the spot kick was powerful and angled. Lazio 1 Sambenedettese 0.
Having broken the deadlock things became easier. First Monelli had a touch cleared near the goal line by Andreoli and then Ferron brilliantly saved a Ciro Muro freekick. In the 40th minute Lazio scored again. Muro set up Pin who raced towards the area, went round the keeper and slotted in to double Lazio's lead. Lazio 2 Sambenedettese 0.
In the second half, especially in the first 10-15 minutes Sambenedettese tried to give Lazio something to worry about and had a Bronzini left footer go just wide and then Silvano Martina had to dive low at Ginelli's feet after an Angelo Gregucci mistake. Then despite periods of pressure the Rossoblu rarely really threatened again.
Sambenedettese took off Vessella in the 55th minute and Ferrari in the 60th, replaced by Sinigaglia and Luperto. Lazio substituted Muro with Domenico Caso in the 62nd minute. Going off Muro shook manager Fascetti's hand, a peace gesture after some friction in pre-season. Lazio would need everyone on the long nine-month promotion marathon.
From now on it was mainly Lazio. Gregucci headed just over the bar, Caso drilled an effort just wide and Ferron acrobatically denied a Savino header. Lazio also had another penalty appeal, for another foul on "Nanu" Galderisi but the ref ignored it.
The last chance of the game however was for Samb but Paolo Beruatto walled a dangerous shot by former Roma player Paolo Alberto Faccini. Final score Lazio 2 Sambenedettese 0.
A routine but positive win for Lazio. The difference in quality between the two sides had been huge. More severe tests awaited Lazio but the promotion campaign had got off to a promising start.
Who played for Lazio
Martina, Marino, Beruatto, Pin (85' Esposito), Gregucci, Piscedda, Savino, Camolese, Galderisi, Muro (62' Caso), Monelli
Manager: Fascetti
Who played for Sambenedettese
Ferron, Nobile, Andreoli, Ferrari (60' Luperto), Bronzini, Marangon II, Salvioni, Galassi, Ginelli, Vessella (55' Sinigaglia), Faccini
Substitutes: Bonaiuto, Pizzuto, Cardelli
Manager: Domenghini
Referee: Gava
Goals: 32' Monelli (pen), 40' Pin
Sources
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