Missed penalty condemns Lazio to another year of Serie B

Simon Basten
Jun 14, 2024
3 min read

Updated: Jun 28

Season 1980-81

Game 37, Serie B

Sunday, June 14, 1981

Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Lazio Vicenza 1-1

Chiodi misses a decisive penalty with seconds to go and Lazio probably lose the race to get back into Serie A

Ticket owned by Dag Jenkins, photo by Dag Jenkins

After 15 games Lazio were top of the table with a one-point lead over Milan and four over third place (the first three were promoted). A long way to go yet but there was optimism. The Biancocelesti had won 7 and drawn 8 and had not lost yet.

Then came Lazio vs Milan, first game of 1981. The Rossoneri easily won 2-0. The shock probably instilled a doubt in the player’s mind and the Biancocelesti started to lose ground.

Lazio managed to stay second until mid-April, then Cesena overtook them. In mid-May with five games to the end of the season Lazio were third, two points clear of Genoa. Then, Lazio lost against Sampdoria and Genoa won. Milan first on 46 points, Cesena 42, Lazio and Genoa 41. In the next game Cesena won, Lazio and Genoa drew. With three games to the end came the mother of all games at the Olimpico: Lazio-Cesena. The Biancocelesti needed to win and they did, so with two games to go all three teams were tied on 44 points. Final home game Lazio-Vicenza.

The match: Sunday, June 14, 1981, Stadio Olimpico, Rome

This was the decider. The game of the season. There had been other crucial games in the previous weeks but this was going to be decisive. Considering that Vicenza were in dire straits fighting for survival, many fans thought that there would be no problem.

But there were problems. Many.

The Biancocelesti entered the pitch empty, confused. Ilario Castagner was also to blame for having put rocky defender Dario Pighin on fast Claudio Vagheggi. The only two players who showed some signs of light in the deep mist surrounding the Laziali were Alberto Bigon and Fernando Viola.

But all of this could have been made easier if the referee had given a blatant penalty for a foul on Bigon in the 16th minute, when he was held back unfairly by Plinio Serena. Lazio were in total confusion and Vicenza twice went very close to scoring. First, in the 29th minute, Vagheggi found himself in front of Dario Marigo who made a great save with his foot. Five minutes later, Paolo Rosi with a great shot from outside the box hit the woodwork. The Biancocelesti protested in the 40th minute when Dino Pagliari fouled Giorgio Mastropasqua just inside the box. The referee did give Lazio the foul but instead of a spot kick he moved the ball back out of the penalty area for a free kick.

In the second half things looked promising and in the first five minutes the Biancocelesti had chances with Paolo Pochesci, Bigon, Carlo Perrone and Mastropasqua. But in the 55th minute, Rosi tried his luck again from outside the box, Marigo punched the ball away, and Vagheggi dribbled half of the Lazio defence and scored.

The Biancocelesti reacted confusedly and in the 67th minute Marigo was forced to stop Vincenzo Zucchini who in front of the keeper tried one dribbling too many. In the 69th minute Lazio equalised. Free kick from the left, Viola crossed and Pochesci headed the ball in.

The Biancocelesti went into panic mode and Vicenza had numerous chances to make it two on the counter attack. Enzo Mocellin in the 78th minute hit the crossbar with a shot from outside the box.

Three minutes from time, Mastropasqua was fouled in the box. Penalty. Stefano Chiodi stepped up to take it. He had never before missed a penalty in his career. He did this time.