The Jaguar fends off Eagles

Dag Jenkins
May 1, 2024
3 min read

Season 1976-77

Game 27, Serie A

Sunday, May 1, 1977

Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Lazio-Torino 0-0

Lazio dominate second half but Toro keeper makes crucial saves to give champions a point

In Serie A, Lazio lost the opener (Juventus 2-3 at home) but had since done reasonably well and were now in mid-table, on 22 points. After losing on their debut the Biancocelesti had won 8 (including first derby 1-0, Fiorentina 4-1 and Inter 2-1 at home), drawn 9 (including Inter 1-1 and most recently Milan 2-2 away) and lost 8 (including second derby 0-1).

Torino were reigning champions. In 1975-76 they had won the Scudetto under Gigi Radice. It was their 7th league triumph and first since 1949 and the Superga air crash tragedy.

They were fighting for the title again and coming into the weekend fixture were joint top with Juventus on 43 points. The Bianconeri however had beaten Napoli 2-1 at home on the Saturday so were temporarily solitary leaders. Today was Toro's chance to respond. The Scudetto was a Turin affair this year as 3rd placed Inter were on 31 points. The Granata had won 18 (including first derby 2-0), drawn 7 (including Lazio 3-3 and second derby 1-1) and lost 1 (Roma 0-1 away). They came from three consecutive wins.

A difficult game for both sides today. Lazio on the right day could beat anyone but Toro were defending champions and possibly on course to win it again.

The match

A cloudy but warm day brought just under 50,000 spectators to this May Day clash.

Lazio were without Vincenzo D'Amico while Torino had no absences.

The first half was a cagey affair. Lazio attacked more but were unable to create any serious threats to the defending champions.

In the 23rd minute Gigi Martini was forced off injured and replaced by Pietro Ghedin.

The half slipped by without much excitement.

The second half was a different story. Lazio started to push forward with more conviction and put the Granata in serious difficulty.

The visitors were saved by their keeper, Luciano Castellini, known as the "Giaguaro" (Jaguar).

In the 52nd minute he was superb on a Bruno Giordano effort and in the 67th on a Ghedin header. In the 81st minute Giordano managed to get past Castellini but hesitated a second too long and Patrizio Sala cleared from the goal line. In the dying seconds Ghedin threatened again but Castellini was on top form and saved brilliantly.

And the champions? Forwards Francesco Graziani and Paolino Pulici had a quiet afternoon but between Lazio's chances Toro had a Renato Zaccarelli header go close but Felice Pulici had no intention of being outshone by the Jaguar and a Patrizio Sala shot go just wide. Not enough to win the game against the extremely determined hosts especially in the second half.

Torino were pleased to get away with a point while Lazio rued a missed occasion for a prestigious win.

Lazio were now joint 6th, with Perugia on 26 points. The European UEFA slots were now only three points away (Napoli on 29).

Torino were now 2nd, a point behind Juventus with only three games to go.

On a historic note this was the first match ever shown in colour on national television. The second half was broadcast a few hours after the final whistle with commentary by Nando Martellini.

Who played for Lazio

F.Pulici, Ammoniaci, Martini (23' Ghedin), Wilson, Manfredonia, Cordova, R.Rossi, Agostinelli, Giordano, Viola, Badiani