Hope for Batista and Lazio

Dag Jenkins
Feb 19, 2023
3 min read

Season 1983-84

Game 20, Serie A

Sunday, February 19, 1984

Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Lazio Sampdoria 2-1

The Biancocelesti with a first goal by the Brazilian and a D'Amico penalty climb out of the drop zone

Serie A so far had predictably not been easy either. Lazio lost on their debut 2-4 away at Verona but young Michael Laudrup had got two late goals, already showing his superior quality. They then beat Inter 3-0 at home maybe deluding on their realistic potential.

Since that, the season had been problematic and Lazio were in the thick of a desperate relegation battle after 3 more wins, 5 draws and 9 defeats. Lazio were 14th, on 13 points with Genoa. The Biancocelesti were only one point from safety but at the moment they would be down. They really needed the two points today against mid-table Sampdoria.

In Serie A the Blucerchiati were currently 8th, on 20 points with Inter (only four from a potential UEFA qualification). They had won 8 (including Inter and Juventus 2-1 away and the derby 2-0), drawn 4 (including Lazio 1-1) and lost 7.

Not an easy game for Lazio against solid mid-table opponents but the Biancocelesti were desperate for a win.

The match

A slightly hazy but sunny day in Rome attracted a crowd of about 40,000 to the Olimpico.

Lazio were without long term injured Bruno Giordano.

Sampdoria had several absences: defender Alessandro Renica, midfielder Francesco Casagrande plus striker Trevor Francis.

Lazio got off to a dream start. In the 4th minute Brazilian midfielder Joāo Batista finally showed his worth, burst past two defenders, flew into the box and beat Ivano Bordon coming off his line with a precise low strike, 1-0.

Sampdoria had problems getting into the game as, despite Liam Brady being busy in midfield, the forwards seemed to be having an off day. On the other hand, the Lazio defenders were solid and concentrated.

Then, just before halftime, out of the blue the visitors equalised. In the 44th minute Brady crossed from the left but no-one got a head to it and it fell to Luca Pellegrini on the right by-line, the Lombard defender put a high looping ball across goal to the far post where Roberto Mancini pounced and scored, 1-1. The Laziali claimed the ball had gone out but the goal stood.

In the second half Lazio continued to look the better side and Sampdoria gradually faded even more. Michael Laudrup in particular was causing hardened defender Pietro Vierchowod all sorts of problems.

In the 63rd minute Lazio were awarded a penalty for a clear foul by Alessandro Scanziani on Giancarlo Marini. The responsibility of the spot kick was taken by Vincenzo D'Amico who blasted a low shot to Bordon's right, 2-1.

Four minutes later the Biancocelesti almost made it three but Laudrup's effort came back off the post.

Sampdoria continued in their apathy and their pressure failed to produce anything remotely dangerous.

In the 83rd minute the Blucerchiati took off forward Alviero Chiorri and introduced midfielder Giovanni Picasso while Lazio in the 89th minute put on Renato Miele for Arcadio Spinozzi to help weather the final aerial attacks. They did so successfully and clinched a crucial and deserved win.

A convincing performance by Lazio while Sampdoria, even taking into acount their absences, had been disappointing. The best news for Lazio apart from the two points was finally the good game by Brazilian midfielder Batista.

Lazio were now 12th, on 15 points with Napoli and one above the drop zone (Avellino on 14).

Sampdoria were 9th, on 20 points with Ascoli.

Next up for Lazio was the derby against Italian champions Roma...

Who played for Lazio

Orsi, Spinozzi (89' Miele), Filisetti, Piscedda, Batista, Podavini, Vinazzani, Manfredonia, D'Amico, Laudrup, Marini