March 7, 1982: Lazio - Brescia 1-1

Dag Jenkins
2 hours ago
9 min read

Lazio remain in sad limbo

A disappointing draw against lowly Brescia sums up Lazio's season so far...mediocre

The season so far

Lazio had an unlucky 80-81 season under Ilario Castagner. They finished 4th narrowly missing out on promotion. A missed penalty in the penultimate game condemned them to at least another season in the "purgatory" of Serie B.

Ilario Castagner had been confirmed as manager, but several new players had come in, as well as some back from loan periods. Fan favourite Vincenzo D'Amico had returned from his year at Torino, as had Stefano Ferretti from Empoli and Roberto Badiani from Pistoiese. Lazio had also bought defender Vincenzo Chiarenza (Taranto), midfielder Michele De Nadai (a rare signing from rivals Roma) and forwards Walter Speggiorin (Napoli) and Claudio Vagheggi (L.R Vicenza).

Leaving Lazio were defenders Filippo Citterio (Napoli) and Pietro Ghedin (Pistoiese), midfielder Giuseppe Greco (Ascoli) and forward Stefano Chiodi (Bologna on loan).

Lazio had got off to a sluggish start with 1 point in the first 3 games but then picked up with 3 consecutive wins. Since then they had been inconsistent with 4 wins, 5 draws and 5 defeats (including Perugia 0-1). The last defeat 0-3 at home to Palermo had cost Castagner his job. The new manager was Roberto Clagluna from the U19s team.

Under Clagluna the Biancocelesti had won 1 (most recent game 1-0 away to Foggia), drawn 2 and lost 1. They were currently 10th, on 24 points. The A zone however was still only three points away (Bari, Verona, Catania and Sampdoria on 27) but the C zone was only five the other way (Reggiana, SPAL and Rimini on 19). Lazio were in between, today's game could decide which battle they would join, the promotion or relegation.

In Coppa Italia, in August-September, the Biancocelesti had lost 3 (Reggina 1-1 but then 0-2 for an object hitting a visiting player, Udinese 1-2 and Pisa 0-2, both away) and drawn 1 (Bologna 1-1 at home) and were out.

Brescia had finished 14th in Serie A and been relegated under Alfredo Magni. The Lombards had only won 4 games, drawn 17 and lost 9. The top scorer was Domenico Penzo with 4 league goals (out of a total of 19 in 30 games).

This season the manager was initially Alfredo Magni again but he had been replaced by Marino Perani after 14 games. The main new players were defenders Pasquale Fanesi (Udinese) and Renato Sali (Bologna), midfielders Vito Graziani (Pisa), Giovanni Lorini (Genoa), Alessandro Quaggiotto (up from youth team), Vincenzo Tavarilli (Bari) and Domenico Volpati (Torino) plus forwards Luciano Adami (Lonato), Vittorio Cozzella (Treviso), Gabriele Messina (Atalanta) and Francesco Vincenzi (Milan).

Leaving Brescia were defenders Giuliano Groppi (Mestre) and Dino Galparoli (Udinese), midfielders Pietro Biagini (Cavese), Pasquale Iachini (Genoa) and Marco Torresani (Pistoiese) plus forwards Domenico Penzo (Verona), Ezio Sella (Sampdoria) and Angelo Crialesi (Catania).

Brescia were struggling this season. The Rondinelle were 19th on 17 points after 5 wins (including most recent 1-0 at home to Pistoiese), 7 draws and 11 defeats (including Lazio 0-1). They were however still only two points from the survival zone (one of the three teams on 19).

In the Coppa Italia the Biancazzurri had gone out immediately after 1 win (Foggia 2-1 at home) and 3 defeats (Fiorentina 0-1 at home and Genoa 0-1 and Varese 2-3 away).

Anything other than a win today would possibly put an end to Lazio's slender remaining promotion hopes.

The match: Sunday, March 7, 1982, Stadio Olimpico, Rome

A decent and dry day brought about 20,000 spectators to the Olimpico.

Lazio were missing defender Paolo Pochesci while Brescia were missing defender Viviano Guida and forward Luciano Adami.

After twelve minutes of nothing Lazio scored out of the blue. Giorgio Mastropasqua fed Albertino Bigon who with a first-time touch set up Claudio Vagheggi and the Tuscan forward, with the inside of his foot, placed a low shot past Astutillo Malgioglio, 1-0.

The relatively early goal should have allowed Lazio to play in an ideal tactical situation. This however did not turn out to be the case as Brescia gradually took control.

The game, it must be said, was of very low quality with both sides making a string of passing mistakes and having difficulty to construct anything remotely resembling a team move.

Brescia attacked but Lazio resisted until half time leading 1-0, just before the break the visitors had been forced to replace midfielder Vito Graziani with Vincenzo Tavarilli.

The beginning of second half continued to see the Rondinelle bossing play and they soon equalised. In the 52nd minute, on a Domenico Volpati through ball, Francesco Vincenzi blasted an excellent first time strike past Felice Pulici, 1-1.

The Lombards realised they could do even better and pushed forward. In the 58th minute Vincenzi with a dangerous header was denied by the veteran Lazio keeper.

A minute later Clagluna decided to take off midfielder Nando Viola and bring on forward Walter Speggiorin.

Things did not change and Brescia went close again with a Vincenzi effort in the 68th minute with a blistering shot from the edge of the box but Pulici turned back time and saved.

In the 73rd minute Lazio tried another change and replaced defender Dario Pighin with attacking midfielder Stefano Ferretti. Five minutes later the visitors had to change their first substitute Tavarilli for another Pietro Leali.

At this point Lazio finally started to put some pressure on the Leonessa’s defence but mainly because they pulled back satisfied with a point.

The Biancocelesti however attacked in a confused and sloppy way never really testing Malgioglio and only had a few corners and scrambles in the opponents area. Full time score: Lazio 1 Brescia 1.

A poor-quality game which Brescia would have won on points. This disappointing performance definitely put an end to any promotion ambitions and Lazio would now probably do better to start looking over their shoulders.

Lazio were now 10th on 25 points. The Biancocelesti were four points from the last promotion slot (Bari and Verona on 29) and five from the last relegation slot (Rimini and Reggiana on 20). A classic limbo situation but judging by today Rimini and Reggiana were the more realistic rivals.

Brescia were 19th on 18 points (three from safety, SPAL on 21).

Who played for Lazio

Pulici, Spinozzi, Chiarenza, Mastropasqua, Pighin (73' Ferretti), Badiani, Vagheggi, Bigon, D'Amico, De Nadai, Viola (59' Speggiorin)

Substitutes: Marigo, Mirra, Sanguin

Manager: Clagluna

Who played for Brescia

Malgioglio, Podavini, Fanesi, De Biasi, Volpati, Quaggiotto, Salvioni, Bonometti, Vincenzi, Graziani (43' Tavarilli, 78' Leali), Lorini

Substitutes: Pellizzaro, Sali, Messina

Manager: Perani

Referee: Facchin

Goals: 12' Vagheggi, 52' Vincenzi

What happened next

Lazio continued to struggle and finished 11th, on 37 points (only one above drop zone). In the remaining games they won 3, drew 6 and lost 5. Between March 28 and May 2, they went four games without scoring a single goal (in 4 goalless draws). At a certain point they even risked relegation but a Vincenzo D'Amico hat-trick in a 3-2 home win against Varese ultimately got them out of trouble. The top scorer was D'Amico with 10 league goals.

A terrible season but to be fair the club was in financial difficulty and the players went months with unpaid or late wages. A shamble at all levels.

Brescia ended up relegated, 18th on 36 points (five from safety). They then won 3, drew 7 and lost 4. After today they went 8 games unbeaten but then lost 4 out of the last 6 and dropped down to Serie C. The top scorer was Luciano Adami with 7 goals (5 in B).

Of today's squad Astutillo Malgioglio (1985-86) and above all Gabriele Podavini (1982-87) would one day play for Lazio, the latter becoming a club legend. Ivano Bonetti would win two league titles (Juventus 1986 and Sampdoria 1991), Domenico Volpati one (Verona 1986), Francesco Vincenzi would play for Roma (1983-84) while Gianni De Biasi would become a respected manager (amongst others Brescia, Torino, Udinese, Albania, Alavés and Azerbaigian).

The three promoted teams were Verona (champions), Sampdoria and Pisa. Serie C awaited Brescia plus Pescara, SPAL and Rimini, it was a very tight battle with only two points separating 17th placed Rimini and 8th placed Sambenedettese.

Let's talk about Claudio Vagheggi

Claudio Vagheggi was born in Lucignano (Arezzo), on October 4 1956.

He started his professional career at 18 with Montevarchi in Serie C. He played two seasons with the Rossoblu with a 14th and 18th place (relegated on goal difference). He played 35 league games with 3 goals.

In 1976 he joined Varese in Serie B. The Bosini finished 8th under Pietro Maroso and Vagheggi played 3 league games. One of his teammates was a young Giorgio Magnocavallo.

In 1977 he moved to Piedmont and signed for Alessandria in Serie C. The Grigi, under first Mario Trebbi and then Romano Mattė, finished 11th. Vagheggi played 35 league games and was top scorer with 9 goals.

In 1978 he joined Udinese in Serie B and stayed two seasons. In the first, the Bianconeri won the league under former Lazio player Massimo Giacomini and Vagheggi played 28 league games with 6 goals and 4 in Coppa Italia with 1 goal. In Serie A the Friulani survived finishing 13th, first under Corrado Orrico (1-22) and then Dino Alessi (23-30). Vagheggi played 16 league games with 2 goals (Inter, Ascoli) plus 3 games in Coppa Italia with 1 goal (Matera). The Bianconeri also won the Mitropa Cup (Vagheggi got 1 goal -Čelik Zenica). One of his teammates was future Lazio, Angelo Cupini.

In 1980 he signed for Vicenza in Serie B. The manager was first Giulio Savoini (1-7) and then Corrado Viciani but the "Lane" finished 17th and were relegated. Vagheggi played 24 league games and scored 5 goals.

In 1981 he arrived in the capital, to Lazio. The Biancocelesti had just missed out on promotion the previous season and still had Ilario Castagner as manager (he would then be replaced by Roberto Clagluna in February). It was a difficult year for Lazio who struggled and even risked relegation to C1 but ultimately finished 11th. Vagheggi personally had a good year with 34 league games and 9 goals (Verona, Varese, SPAL, Foggia, Brescia, Pescara x2, Verona, Palermo) plus 4 games in Coppa Italia. With the return of Bruno Giordano however he was not kept on.

In 1982 he moved further south to Napoli in Serie A. He was reunited with manager Giacomini until he was sacked and replaced by Gennaro Rambone in late November. The Partenopei finished 10th. Vagheggi did not repeat his Lazio season and played 15 league games without scoring and 3 in Coppa Italia with no goals. He played alongside former Lazio, Filippo Citterio and future Lazio Claudio Vinazzani.

In 1983 he moved on again and joined Cavese in Serie B. The "Aquilotti" (Eagles) from Campania did not repeat the positive previous season and were relegated. They tried three different managers; Maurizio Bruno, Umberto Pinardi and Ottavio Bugatti but finished 19th. Vagheggi played 35 league games with 3 goals (Cesena, Arezzo, Pistoiese) and 5 in Coppa Italia with 2 goals (Bologna, Cosenza). His teammates included former Lazio, Maurizio Moscatelli and future Lazio, Ernesto Calisti (on loan from Lazio) and a very young Raffaele Sergio.

In 1984 he joined Pescara in Serie B. The "Delfini" (Dolphins) finished 7th under Enrico Catuzzi and Vagheggi played 16 league games with 3 goals.

In 1985 he joined Campobasso in Serie B. The Molisani's manager was Bruno Mazzia and they finished 9th. Vagheggi played 17 league games with 5 goals (Genoa, Palermo x2, Arezzo). In 1986 he stayed in Molise and Campobasso started with Swede Tord Grip (1-19) and finished with Giampiero Vitali. Campobasso struggled and finished 17th going to a three-team playoff for the last relegation slot. Vagheggi and Lazio's paths crossed as the decisive game was Lazio vs Campobasso (Taranto were safe). Vagheggi had been out injured but played and the Rossoblu lost 0-1 to a Fabio Poli goal and were relegated. Vagheggi played 26 league games (including the decisive playoff) and scored 10 goals (Catania, Taranto, Vicenza, Triestina, Bari, Lecce x2, Bologna, Cagliari, Pisa) plus 5 games in Coppa Italia. One of his teammates was former Lazio, Paolo Pochesci.

In 1987 he returned to Friuli and Udinese in Serie B. The "Zebrette" finished 10th under three different managers: Massimo Giacomini (1-5), Marino Lombardo (6-14) and Nedo Sonetti (15-38). Vagheggi played 31 league games and scored 10 goals (Piacenza x2, Barletta, Parma, Bologna, Genoa x2, Brescia, Lecce, Sambenedettese) plus 2 games in Coppa Italia. The following year he stayed on and Udinese were promoted under Sonetti. Vagheggi played 10 league games and 7 in Coppa Italia with no goals. One of his teammates was former Lazio keeper, Claudio Garella.

In 1989 he joined his last club, Sambenedettese in serie B. The Rossoblu were relegated under four different managers: Maurizio Simonato, Paolo Beni, Bruno Pace, Cané and Pace again. Vagheggi played 23 league games with 3 goals.

He then retired at almost 34.

Since retiring he has become a player's agent and has followed amongst others; Kwadwo Asamoah, Mehdi Benatia, Mauricio Isla and Luis Muriel.

As a player Vagheggi was a forward. He was extremely dynamic and his speed, especially over long distances, was perhaps his best asset. All this running and movement led to him not being overly prolific. He did however score 58 league goals in his career. He played 31 games in Serie A and 251 in B.

At Lazio he had a good season despite the Biancocelesti's difficulties. He did not score until January but then scored 9 league goals. It was not a great year for Lazio but without Vagheggi it would have been far worse. He was nicknamed "Vaghigno" as in a Brazilian player of talent, maybe slightly exaggerated but it also says a lot about the quality, or lack of, in the team (with the exception of D'Amico of course).