Sassaroli debut goal not enough

Season 1966-67

Game 8, Serie A

Sunday, November 13, 1966

Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Lazio Spal 1-1

Lazio give everything but have to settle for a draw

Source Lazio Wiki

The season started with a 1-5 away defeat to Fiorentina. A sign of things to come. Since then, Lazio had won 1 (Lecco 1-0 away), drawn 2 (including Milan 2-2 away) and lost 3 (including derby 0-1). Lazio were currently joint 14th, with Vicenza on 4 points, just off the last relegation slot. The main problem and not a minor one was scoring goals, only 5 in 7 games. On November 7 manager Umberto Mannocci had been replaced by Maino Neri.

A balanced game was expected today between two teams of similar level. It was not Maino Neri's official debut as mid-week Lazio had beaten Red Star Belgrade 3-0 in the Mitropa Cup.

The match

A sunny but windy day saw a crowd of about 25,000 at the Olimpico.

Lazio were without defender Pietro Dotti who was suspended and forward Romano Bagatti who had recently lost his father. In attack Gianni Sassaroli got his debut.

SPAL chose Enrico Muzzio and Orlando Rozzoni up front while only one of the three future managers was playing, Osvaldo Bagnoli.

In the early stages Lazio pushed forward. Debutant Sassaroli was lively with a shot blocked by Ernesto Galli and then had an acrobatic header but it was well wide.

SPAL responded with counter foot attempts with Muzzio's pace.

In the 15th minute Lazio suffered a setback when Turkish midfielder Can Bartu strained a thigh muscle and had to be heavily strapped up. He continued but with limited mobility in central midfield.

In the 19th minute Lazio went close with a Vito D'Amato header but it was just over the bar.

In the 29th minute the Romagnoli missed a good chance when Ivano Bosdaves miskicked from a favourable position.

The last attempt was a Juan Carlos Morrone effort in the 36th minute but it was too weak to cause Galli any problems. Halftime Lazio 0 SPAL 0.

Lazio had tried hard enough but not had not created much in proportion to their effort.

In the second half injured Bartu was placed out on the left wing while Morrone came back to central midfield.

In the 52nd minute Lazio went in front. Morrone crossed low from the right, Paolo Carosi shot and it was parried by Galli but only as far as Sassaroli who had an easy tap-in. Lazio 1 SPAL 0 and a dream debut for the young striker from Jesi but adopted Roman.

Lazio insisted and tried to get a second. A thundering shot by Diego Zanetti forced Galli into an acrobatic save and in the 61st minute the keeper dived low and stole the ball from D'Amato who had hesitated too long before shooting.

SPAL started to threaten on the break. Muzzio had a lame header in the 63rd minute and in the 67th Oscar Massei went close with a low cross goal shot.

The visitors then equalised in the 72nd minute with an excellent goal. Muzzio danced past three defenders and from a seemingly impossible angle put the ball in on the far post. Lazio 1 SPAL 1.

Lazio tried to take back the lead but apart from a Morrone effort towards the end were never really dangerous again. Final score 1-1.

A decent performance by Lazio. The Biancocelesti had worked hard and shown courage going forward even after going in front. They had been unlucky with Bartu's injury but continued to struggle in the last twenty metres.

Lazio were still 14th but now had four teams behind them. SPAL were still joint 9th with Fiorentina and Torino.

Who played for Lazio

Cei, Zanetti, Castelletti, Marchesi, Pagni, Carosi, Burlando, Sassaroli, Bartu, D'Amato, Morrone

Manager: Neri

Who played for SPAL

E. Galli, Tomasin, Bozzao, Pasetti, Bertuccioli, Bagnoli, Bosdaves, Moretti, Rozzoni, Massei, Muzzio

Manager: Petagna

Referee: Righi

Goals: 52' Sassaroli, 72' Muzzio

Sources

Lazio Wiki