March 19, 1972: Lazio - Sorrento 2-0

Dag Jenkins
10 hours ago
8 min read

Abbondanza magic and Long John indicate the way

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

The season so far

The 1970/71 season had been disastrous for Lazio. There had been ongoing divergences between president Lenzini and manager Juan Carlos Lorenzo over various issues, including market strategies. The Argentine was sacked a few times only to be brought back following protests by a particularly loyal group of fans. The problems on the field and off had resulted in relegation to Serie B with only 4 wins in 30 matches. The initial shock would however later result to be a blessing in disguise.

This year the manager problem had been resolved with the appointment of Tommaso Maestrelli, who had impressed in charge of Foggia.

The new manager had also brought some novelties to the squad. In the summer, Lazio had signed three new players: goalkeeper Claudio Bandoni (Fiorentina) plus defenders Luigi Martini (Livorno) and Giancarlo Oddi (Massese). In the autumn session another three had arrived: midfielder Giambattista Moschino (Verona) plus forwards Alessandro Abbondanza (Napoli) and Carlo Facchin (Almas).

Five players left Lazio in the summer: goalkeeper Michelangelo Sulfaro (Fiorentina-loan), midfielders Nello Governato (Savona), Rino Marchesi (Prato), Ferruccio Mazzola (Fiorentina-loan) and forward Juan Carlos Morrone (Foggia). In November two more midfielders left: Arrigo Dolso (Varese - loan) and Pierpaolo Manservisi (Napoli - loan).

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. Giorgio Chinaglia had already scored 13 goals. The week earlier Lazio had drawn 1-1 away at Como.

In the Coppa Italia, in August and early September, Lazio had got through the first group phase by winning 3 (including Roma 1-0) and drawing 1. The next group phase would not be until the end of May and June 1972.

Sorrento were newly promoted. In 1970-71 the Rossoneri had won the Group C of Serie C, under manager Giancarlo Vitali. The top scorers were Gennaro Sportiello and Paolino Bozza with 8 league goals each. The squad included former Lazio Gilberto Noletti (1961-62) and a young Giuseppe Bruscolotti who would play 511 games for Napoli and win a Scudetto with Diego Maradona.

This was their first time ever in Serie B. The manager was initially Nicola D'Alessio and then Pasquale Atripaldi. The main new players were defender Dante Lodrini (Avellino), former Lazio midfielder Graziano Landoni (Piacenza) plus future Lazio forward, Paolo Franzoni (Piacenza), Fernando Scarpa (Potenza) and Giovanni Vastola (Toronto FC).

Leaving was defender Antonio Fiorile (Crotone, after 224 league games but he would return the following year and play another 208 games).

Sorrento 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.

Sorrento had been eliminated in the first summer phase of Coppa Italia after 2 wins (Napoli 1-0 away, Palermo 2-1 at home) and 2 defeats (Verona 0-4 at home and Catanzaro 0-1 away). Eliminated but with the historic satisfaction of beating nearby big city club Napoli.

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: Sunday, March 19, 1972, Stadio Olimpico, Rome

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

Substitutes: Di Vincenzo

Manager: Maestrelli

Who played for Sorrento

Formisano, Bruscolotti, Noletti, Furlan (71' Savarese), Lodrini, Lorenzini, Franzoni, Angrisani, Vastola, Landoni, Bozza

Substitutes: Gridelli

Manager: Atripaldi

Referee: Moretto

Goals: 60' Abbondanza, 77' Chinaglia

What happened next

Lazio would be successful in their promotion chase. They came in second on 49 points, one behind champions Ternana. On June the 18th, with a 0-0 away draw against Bari, Maestrelli's boys clinched their ticket back to Serie A.

A week after today's win Lazio would beat Arezzo 2-0 at home. Then in the following 12 games they won 6, drew 5 and lost 1. In the season overall Chinaglia got a total of 26 goals and Massa 13 (plus several assists for Long John).

In Coppa Italia Lazio were eliminated in the second phase after 2 wins (Fiorentina 1-0 and Napoli 3-0 at home), 1 draw (Fiorentina 1-1 away) and 3 defeats (Bologna home and away 0-1, 1-2 and Napoli 1-5 away). Lazio had had the satisfaction of knocking out Roma (1-0) and the main thing was to return to the top flight. Lazio were back.

Sorrento were relegated. They finished 19th on 25 points (three from safety). In the remaining games they won 4, drew 3 and lost 6. The top scorer was Bozza with 7 goals (6 in B). Sorrento have never been back in the 2nd tier and are currently in Serie C.

Lazio went up with champions Ternana and Palermo while Sorrento went down with Livorno and Modena.

Let's talk about Gilberto Noletti

Gilberto Noletti was born in Cusano Milanino (Milan) on May 9, 1941.

He spent his formative years with Milan and won two Viareggio youth tournaments. In 1959-60 he joined the first team squad and in two seasons played 3 league games. His manager was Luigi Bonizzoni in the first season and Paolo Todeschini in the second. The Rossoneri finished 3rd and 2nd.

In 1961-62 he spent a year with Lazio on loan, following manager Todeschini who was then replaced after 21 games by Bob Lovati and finally Carlo Facchini. Lazio were in Serie B for the first time in their history and narrowly missed out on promotion by one point. Things were not helped by having a goal ridiculously disallowed in a potentially crucial game against Napoli in March. Against all evidence the linesman and then the referee claimed Lazio's goal had gone in through a hole in the net, the game ended 0-0 and Napoli were later promoted. Noletti played 23 league games and 2 in Coppa Italia.

In 1962-63 Milan loaned Noletti to Juventus. The Bianconeri had Brazilian Paolo Amaral as manager and finished 2nd in Serie A and won the Alps Cup. Noletti played 14 league games with 1 goal (Genoa).

In 1963 he returned to Milan where he stayed for four seasons. He played 72 league games and scored 2 goals (Roma, Napoli) plus 4 games in Coppa Italia, 1 in the Fairs Cup and 1 in the Mitropa Cup. The Rossoneri finished 3rd, 2nd, 7th and 8th. In 1963 Milan lost the Intercontinental Cup final against Pelé's Santos but in 1967 won the Coppa Italia, defeating Padova 1-0.

His managers were Luis Carniglia and Nils Liedholm the first year, Liedhom the second, Liedholm and then Giovanni Cattozzo in the third and Arturo Silvestri in the fourth. He played alongside future Lazio, Giuliano Fortunato (1967-72) and former Lazio Massimo Giacomini (1963-64) but also some greats such as Gianni Rivera, Giovanni Trapattoni, Pierino Prati, Angelo Sormani, Karl-Heinz Schnellinger, Giovanni Lodetti, Amarildo, Cesare Maldini and José Altafini to name a few.

In January 1967 however, his career took a huge blow. He ruptured his Achilles tendon. In the summer of 1967 he was sold to Sampdoria but never played due to his injury.

He then signed for Lecco in Serie B. In the 1968-69 season the Blucelesti were relegated under former Lazio manager Renato Gei. Noletti played 18 league games.

He then spent three years with Sorrento. The Costieri were initially in Serie C and finished 4th, 1st (promoted) and 19th in B (relegated). In the first year his manager was Paolo Todeschini from his Milan and Lazio days. He played 75 league games with 6 goals. One of his teammates was a young Beppe Bruscolotti who would later win a Scudetto with Napoli in the Maradona years and another was future Lazio, Paolo Franzoni (1973-75).

Noletti's last club was Grosseto. He spent three seasons with the Maremmani in Serie C, finishing 9th, 7th and 10th. He played 63 league games with 5 goals. In his last season one of his teammates was former Lazio, Bruno Chinellato (1970-71).

At 35 Noletti retired.

In his youth he played 16 games for Italy U-21s, winning the Mediterranean Games twice, in 1959 and 1963. He also took part in the Rome 1960 Olympics with Italy finishing 4th.

Noletti was a defender. He was a good club player, as his 76 games for Milan show. His career at top level was cut short by injury at 25, otherwise it is more than likely he would have won several prestigious trophies to add to his Coppa Italia (Milan won a European Cup, a Scudetto, 2 Cup Winners Cups and the Coppa Italia twice between 1968 and 1973).

At Lazio he only spent one season on loan. It was an unlucky one for the Biancocelesti who narrowly missed out on promotion finishing 4th. Noletti however performed well and from Rome moved on to Juventus on loan.

Gilberto Noletti died in Forlì, on April 28, 2024.