Abbondanza magic and Long John indicate the way

Dag Jenkins
Mar 19, 2023
3 min read

Season 1971-72

Game 25, Serie B

Sunday, March 19, 1972

Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Lazio Sorrento 2-0

A glorious solo goal by the small Neapolitan and one by Giorgione push Lazio up to joint 2nd

Lazio had a decent start to the season and were up among the frontrunners for the promotion places. They were 4th on 28 points, after 10 wins (including Sorrento 1-0 away), 8 draws and 6 defeats. The week earlier Lazio had drawn 1-1 away at Como.

This was their first time ever in Serie B for Sorrento. They were currently 19th on 14 points (four below safety, Monza on 18). The Costieri had won 4, drawn 6 and lost 14. The previous week they had drawn 0-0 at home to Perugia.

Lazio were expected to win today against struggling opposition. The Biancocelesti however had not won at home since January 23 and Sorrento were unbeaten in the last four games.

The match

A nice and sunny spring-like day attracted about 30,000 spectators to the Olimpico.

Lazio were missing midfielder Franco Nanni while the Campani had no real absences.

It was a problematic start for Lazio as after only two minutes Carlo Facchin collapsed to the ground clutching his collarbone. He continued for the moment but seemed to be in difficulty.

Lazio dominated possession and territory but had trouble creating any clear-cut chances. In fact, the first opportunity was for the visitors but in the 24th minute Paolo Franzoni was off target from a favourable position.

On the half hour Facchin gestured to the bench that he had to come off but at the same moment Giambattista Moschino pulled up with a muscular strain. At this point Moschino went off and was replaced by Sandro Abbondanza while Facchin soldiered on.

It was not until the 44th minute that Lazio were properly dangerous when first Giorgio Chinaglia's attempt was spectacularly cleared off the line by Dante Lodrini and then on the rebound Abbondanza's shot was walled by Edmondo Lorenzini. Halftime Lazio 0 Sorrento 0.

In the second half the situation remained the same. Lazio attacking but without energy and conviction. Meanwhile the radios brought the news that the other promotion rivals were winning.

The deadlock was broken in spectacular style in the 60th minute. The diminutive striker Abbondanza picked up the ball about 35 metres out and glided past four defenders before belting a powerful and precise shot past Antonio Formisano, 1-0. A moment of brilliance, just what was needed.

Lazio were suddenly rampant and could have scored several times.

Sorrento were groggy and in the 71st minute took off Antonio Furlan and brought on Biagio Savarese.

Nevertheless, there was no stopping Lazio now and soon after a dangerous Mario Facco header Lazio doubled their lead. In the 77th minute. Chinaglia, after a one-two with Abbondanza, drilled a low cross goal shot from the left that beat Formisano, 2-0.

Lazio had other chances to add to their lead but the important thing was the win. A well-deserved two points after a difficult first hour. Despite practically playing in ten men, once Lazio had got the breakthrough, with a moment of magic by Abbondanza, there was no contest.

Lazio were now joint 2nd with Reggiana on 30 points. The table read; Palermo 35, Ternana 35, Lazio 30, Reggiana 30, Bari 29, Cesena 28, Perugia 28, Como 28.

The promotion rush was on and Lazio were in the heart of it.

Sorrento were still 19th but now five points adrift from 17th placed Monza.

Who played for Lazio

Bandoni, Facco, Papadopulo, Wilson, Polentes, Martini, Massa, Fortunato, Chinaglia, Moschino (30' Abbondanza), Facchin