March 24 1974: Lazio Cagliari 2-0
- Simon Basten
- Mar 23
- 4 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Complicated, but victorious
Lazio beat Cagliari in a difficult match and now have a three point lead
Also on this day:
The season so far
The previous season Lazio had gone agonisingly close to winning the scudetto. With 45 minutes to go to the end of the campionato, Lazio were drawing at Napoli and had a potential 44 points, Milan were losing at Verona and had 44 points, Juventus were losing against Roma and were on 43 points. But Napoli fought as if their lives depended on a win and beat Lazio in the final minutes, Juventus overturned the match after the Roma players basically stopped playing and Milan collapsed. Lazio came third.
The feeling was that the ship of glory had set sail leaving Lazio behind and would not come back. The summer transfer window was practically null but in the autumn there would be two signings, midfielder Fausto Inselvini from Brescia, who would go on to play 11 league games and forward Paolo Franzoni from Brindisi who would score in the first derby of the season.
Lazio started slowly, but gained momentum after winning the derby coming from behind and at the end of the first half of the season they were first with a three-point lead over Juventus, Fiorentina and Napoli. They were amazing to watch, a marvellous football team with great players in every position. Nobody thought that they could continue playing as well as the previous season, but they did and went even further.
The Biancocelesti were currently first with a two-point lead on Juventus and three on Napoli. The previous Sunday they had lost in Milan against Inter. Was it to be a minor setback or something more serious?
The match: Sunday, March 24, 1974, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio started ferociously as usual but it was Cagliari who had the first chance. In the 16th minute Luciano Re Cecconi was dispossessed, ball to Desiderio Marchesi who alone in front of Felice Pulici shot over the crossbar. After this initial fright, the Biancocelesti began to siege the Cagliari goal. In the 18th minute Enrico Albertosi was miraculous on a Re Cecconi shot. 60 seconds later Franco Nanni following a splendid back heel pass from Giorgio Chinaglia hit the top of the crossbar. Another minute and Long John on a Mario Frustalupi cross headed a brilliant lob past Albertosi but the ball hit the woodwork. In the 23rd minute Frustalupi to Chinaglia in the box on the right, big whack which Albertosi could not keep out of the goal. 1-0 to Lazio.
All downhill now? No. Cagliari re-organised and slowly took control of the match. In the second half the Biancocelesti disappeared from the game. The Sardinians had a chance in the 48th minute when Pulici saved on a Cesare Poli attempt. In the 52nd minute Poli hit the exterior of the post and in the 63rd Sergio Gori had a shot saved by the Lazio keeper. Immediately after the Cagliari centre forward miskicked a sitter.
The Biancocelesti after the storm slowly took control of the match and ten minutes from time closed the game. Chinaglia passed a high ball to Nanni in the box, as the midfielder was about to shoot, Mario Brugnera held him by his arm and the ref indicated the spot kick. Chinaglia made no mistake and scored his brace.
A very important win in a difficult match. Napoli drew with Roma and Juventus at Verona. Lazio now had a three-point lead.
Who played for Lazio
Pulici, Petrelli (88’ Polentes), Martini, Wilson, Oddi, Nanni, Garlaschelli, Re Cecconi, Chinaglia, Frustalupi, D’Amico
Manager: Maestrelli
Who played for Cagliari
Albertosi, Poletti (46' Brugnera), Mancin, Poli, Valeri, Roffi, Marchesi, Quagliozzi, Gori, Butti, Nobili
Substitutes: Copparoni, Dessì
Manager: Chiappella
Referee: Torelli
Goals: 24’ Chinaglia, 80’ Chinaglia (pen)
What happened next
On May 12, 1974, Lazio beat Foggia with a Chinaglia penalty and won the scudetto. An amazing feat. Lazio played the most exciting football, had a bunch of wild players who were all stars and fitted together perfectly, managed by the "Maestro" Tommaso Maestrelli. Pulici, Petrelli, Martini, Wilson, Oddi, Nanni, Garlaschelli, Re Cecconi, Chinaglia, Frustalupi, D’Amico would all become club legends and have a place in the hearts of all Lazio supporters. But also Inselvini, Franzoni, Facco, Manservisi and Polentes who all lent a hand to reach the final apotheosis and will never be forgotten.
Let's talk about Mario Valeri
Mario Valeri was born on September 13, 1949, in Sorso in Sardinia.
He started playing as a defender in his hometown club in Serie D in 1966 and after three seasons signed for Torres in Serie C. In 1970-71 they were relegated to the fourth tier but immediately got promoted back to Serie C.
In 1972 he was tried out at Lazio. The Biancocelesti used a few players on loan for the Anglo-Italian Cup of 1973. He played the third game which Lazio lost against Crystal Palace. This would be the only time he played for the Biancocelesti.
In 1973 he signed for Cagliari and stayed for five years, three in Serie A and two in Serie B. He then played a couple of years with Salernitana in Serie C1 before closing his career firstly with Castelsardo and then back at Sorso.
He had a good career, playing in all tiers. The highlight was obviously his years with Cagliari.
He died in Sassari on November 27, 2024.
Lazio Career
Season | Appearances Anglo Italian Cup |
1972-73 | 1 |
Sources
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