May 10, 1981: Lazio Monza 2-0
- Simon Basten
- 2 hours ago
- 11 min read
Two valuable points despite a dreadful Lazio
One of the worst games of the season so far, but at least Lazio won
The season so far
The previous season had seen Lazio relegated due to the Totonero scandal.
Rumours that there was something wrong in Serie A had begun to circulate earlier in the year. At Cagliari Maurizio Montesi broke his leg and from the hospital spoke to the few journalists who went to see how he was. He was alone, none of the Lazio players had had the decency to drop by. He started talking of match fixing, agreements between clubs over results, and illegal betting.
In Italy one could not legally bet on the result of a single game or on the scores of a series of games. There was just the Totocalcio where one had to guess the results of 13 games. There was however an illegal betting system called Totonero run by illegal bookmakers similar to how legal bets were organised in the UK.
Match fixing had always been a problem in Italy and taken place since the early 1950s. Clubs and/or players would agree to share points during the season in a “you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours” system. But then the players started to bet on these games. It was easy money, they knew what the result would be so why not have a little wager.
Alvaro Trinca was the owner of a restaurant in the centre of Rome where Lazio and Roma players would often go and eat before games. Massimo Cruciani was a fruit seller and was very friendly with a number of players. Both would hear the players talk of match fixing and therefore started to bet and win large sums of money. They teamed up and devised a plan which was to offer money to the players to fix games as well as bet money for them.
Their plan failed miserably and they were hugely indebted with people with whom you do not want to be indebted with. Apparently, they first asked the clubs for money but not all wanted to pay, then they presented their case to the Italian Football Federation but that was not going to solve the debts, so they then tried by resting their case with the law. They were later both arrested and started talking to the magistrates.
On March 23 1980, the Italian police arrested a number of players of Lazio, Milan, Bologna, Avellino, Genoa and Perugia. The scandal had exploded and Lazio were right in the middle of it. Bruno Giordano, Lionello Manfredonia, Massimo Cacciatori and Pino Wilson were among the players arrested.
Once the season finished there was the Sport Justice court case regarding the match fixing. The Lazio players were allegedly involved in the match fixing of Milan Lazio that ended 2-1 for the hosts and Lazio Avellino which finished 1-1.
The first sentencing between May and June gave Cacciatori and Wilson a life ban, Giordano and Manfredonia an 18-month suspension, Maurizio Montesi four months and a 10 million lire fine to Lazio. At the time fans thought that all in all this was acceptable.
Others got even worse sentences. Milan were relegated (there was a direct involvement of the club President), Avellino, Bologna and Perugia given a 5-point docking. Among the various players, Enrico Albertosi got a life ban and Paolo Rossi 3 years.
The Lazio fans looked to the appeal case with optimism. They were wrong. Lazio were relegated to Serie B for the game against Avellino, Giordano and Manfredonia got a three-and-a-half-year suspension, Cacciatori four years and Wilson three years. Paolo Rossi’s suspension was reduced to two years, Albertosi's to four.
Why were Lazio relegated? There was no legal reason since none of the club directors were involved. The only reason was the fact that the initial sentences were considered too lenient and the Sports Justice system wanted to set an example. Hence, Lazio, always everybody’s favourite scapegoat, were relegated because it had a large number of players involved. But others were involved far deeper and got off lightly or with no penalisation at all. Lazio were a sacrificial lamb to keep the media happy.
Were the players guilty? Who knows. Wilson has hardly ever spoken about it. In his official biography though, he admitted having reached an agreement with some Milan players regarding Milan-Lazio. The plan was to let them win in Milan and Lazio in Rome. The Biancocelesti did not have much of a chance in Milan and the points at the end of the season could have been useful in case of a battle to stay in Serie A. He had nothing to do with betting, as also shown in the case files and his name appeared only for the Milan match. But Montesi accused him of being the ring leader, probably because a name had to be given, so to save himself he chose the player that had the least to lose.
These types of agreements had always happened in Italian football, this was no different from other similar agreements like in the last matches of the season when one team needed a point to stay in Serie A and the other maybe a point for a UEFA Cup qualification. The games would practically be non- starters. This is a violation of every Sports Code, and if the agreement is reached between clubs, if found guilty, these should be relegated or given point deductions. And if it is among players, these, if found guilty, should be suspended. If the players take money all that has to be done is to verify and check.
Manfredonia stated in an interview that he paid a rather large price compared to what he actually did. So maybe when Wilson announced that they were going to lose the Milan game, he complied. He did not play the match against Avellino, so he can’t have been guilty for that.
Giordano proclaims his innocence to this day. In his official biography he claims that Trinca and Cruciani tried to blackmail President Umberto Lenzini who refused to pay. When the magistrates asked him if he had got some extra cash Giordano denied it, saying “check my bank statements”. This is probably what they did and as a consequence none of the players were found guilty in the legal court case.
Where does the truth lie? A few facts are almost certain. Milan-Lazio was fixed by the players. The club had nothing to do with it. The rest is just speculation. Lazio, some Lazio players and Lazio fans paid a very high price for the Italian Football Federation's need to find guilty parties, whether they were actually guilty or not. And unfortunately, it would not be the only time. Claudio Vinazzani’s friendship with a Neapolitan illegal bookie, who was fixing games, translated into a 9-point deduction for the 1986-87 season, despite Lazio not being involved. President Claudio Lotito’s requests for decent referees would cost Lazio a 30-point deduction in the 2005-06 season and 3 points for the following one in the Calciopoli farce. Stefano Mauri’s friendship with a player who fixed games cost him a six-month suspension and jail time, even if he was innocent.
Lazio had invested a lot for the 1980-81 season and even signed Rene Van de Kerkhof, the Dutch star, but he was not eligible to play in Serie B so the deal did not go through.
Other players signed were Alberto Bigon and Stefano Chiodi from Milan (with Mauro Tassotti going the other way), goalkeepers Maurizio Moscatelli (Pistoiese), Aldo Nardin (Lecce) and Dario Marigo (Chieti), defenders Giorgio Mastropasqua and Arcadio Spinozzi (both from Bologna), midfielders Dario Sanguin (Vicenza) and Giuseppe Greco (Torino). Saying goodbye to Lazio, apart from Tassotti, were hero Vincenzo D’Amico (Torino), Antonio Lopez (Palermo) and Vincenzo Zucchini (Vicenza). Andrea Agostinelli and Roberto Badiani were sent on loan to Pistoiese, Stefano Ferretti to Empoli.
The manager was rising star Ilario Castagner who had led Perugia to a historic second place just a couple of seasons earlier.
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. Chiodi had started playing in the beginning of November and had scored three goals.
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. They were currently third as Cesena had recently overtaken them. The table read Milan 43, Cesena 40, Lazio 38, Genoa 37, Sampdoria 36. No need to underline how a win would be important today especially because Monza were last.
The match: Sunday, May 10, 1981, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
A disaster for over an hour. Against Monza, who sat at the bottom of the table, Lazio put on one of the most dismal performances of the season. Lacking physical sharpness, ideas, and competitive spirit, the Biancocelesti were fortunate to face an opponent now devoid of motivation.
From a tactical standpoint as well, Lazio’s shortcomings were alarming. The introduction of Pietro Ghedin at full-back, who was supposed to provide attacking thrust down the flanks from deep, turned out to be a complete failure. In the second half, Ilario Castagner replaced him with Claudio Simoni, but without achieving any noticeable improvement. The return of Alberto Bigon was highly anticipated; in the coach’s plans, he was meant to restore the Roman side’s lost brilliance. Instead, the former Milan player clearly showed the effects of his long absence from competitive play. Only two players managed to partially salvage themselves from the near-total collapse: Paolo Pochesci and Arcadio Spinozzi, who succeeded in neutralizing Monza’s Paolo Monelli and Daniele Massaro.
The young Antonio Acerbis, however, looked far more impressive, repeatedly troubling Lazio’s defence on his own with quick counterattacks.
After Lazio nearly scored with Renzo Garlaschelli in the 2nd minute, at the other end Massaro, with an open goal, astonishingly missed the chance to give his team the lead—later imitated by Nando Viola, who nonetheless was not among the worst performers. Goalkeeper Dario Marigo then had to pull off his most difficult save to prevent an own goal by Carlo Perrone. The fans were losing patience. From the stands there were some boos and whistles of dissatisfaction.
In the second half, the modest Monza again came close to scoring with Acerbis, incr the home side's anxiety.
However, in the 62nd minute, Viola—collecting a poor clearance from Gianfranco Motta—scored with a powerful shot into the top corner, putting an end to what was becoming a nightmare. After a dangerous move by Monelli that nearly brought an equaliser, Lazio secured the decisive second goal ten minutes from the end through Fillipo Citterio who advanced from midfield, reached the edge of the penalty area, and chipped the ball over the goalkeeper Roberto Marconcini. But it would take much more to ignite the enthusiasm of Lazio’s fans, who were rightly concerned. Fortunately the draw in the Genoa derby allowed the Biancocelesti to gain a point over the rivals for promotion, but there were still six games left and Lazio were playing terribly.
Who played for Lazio
Marigo, Spinozzi, Ghedin (46' Simoni), Perrone, Pochesci, Citterio, Viola, Bigon, Garlaschelli, Mastropasqua, Greco
Manager: Castagner
Who played for Monza
Marconcini, Motta, P.Viganò, Colombo, Cesario, Pallavicini, Maselli, Acerbis, Monelli, Massaro, Ronco
Substitutes: Cavalieri, Giusto, Scaini, Biffi, Tatti
Manager: Fontana
Referee: Tani
Goals: 62’ Viola, 80’ Citterio
What happened next
In mid-May with five games to the end of the season Lazio were third, two points clear of Genoa. Then, enter referee Alberto Michelotti. In the home game against Sampdoria, there was a corner for Lazio. Mastropasqua crossed, Gianluca De Ponti tried to head the ball but blatantly handballed it. A clear penalty right under the eyes of the linesman. But Michelotti had no intention of listening to him and the linesman no intention of changing the ref’s mind. Lazio lost that game 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 Biancocelesti were very nervous and played terribly. Claudio Vagheggi scored for the Vicentini in the 55th minute, Paolo Pochesci equalised a quarter of an hour later. In the 87th minute, penalty for Lazio. Biancocelesti supporters invaded the pitch in celebration. It took forever to take the spot kick but everybody was sure that Lazio had won, Chiodi had never missed a penalty, not even in training. He did this time. Genoa and Cesena had won, promotion was lost.
The players with most appearances this season were Citterio and Viola with 43 games and the top scorer was Bigon with 10 goals
Let’s talk about Antonio Elia Acerbis
When Antonio Elia Acerbis arrived in Rome, he went to the usual press conference presentation of the new arrivals, spoke a little bit, said the usual things and at the end of the press conference he said “ok folks, this is the last you will hear from me. You know what you need to know about me, I won’t be talking to you any more”. The journalists present could not believe it and didn’t. But Acerbis no longer spoke to the press, he kept to his word, and probably because of this, became a fan favourite. Why did he do this? When he quit football, he explained. “One day, after a match, a journalist friend approached me. “I'd like to ask you some questions”, I accepted and replied. Since he was a friend, I also told him some things that could not be written and I asked him not to publish them. He reassured me. The next day I bought the newspaper and found myself on the front page. I got really angry and from that day I decided that I would never speak to journalists again."
Acerbis was born in Milan on January 31, 1960. He started playing football in the youth teams of Varese and debuted in Serie B in the 1977-78 season. In the 1978-79 season he became a regular player but the club was relegated to Serie C1. He stayed one more year and in 1980 joined Udinese in Serie A. After a couple of games and a decisive goal on his debut (Udinese-Pistoiese 1-1 on September 21) he was sold to Monza in Serie B. He then played for Bari from 1981 to 1984 (two season in Serie B and one in C1) before signing for Pescara, still in Serie B.
Two years later he was called by his former Varese manager, Eugenio Fascetti to Lazio. The start was traumatic. The Biancocelesti were relegated to Serie C for the alleged involvement of Claudio Vinazzani in match fixing. The team was in Gubbio preparing for the upcoming season. “Fascetti was very clear: whoever wants to go, go; whoever stays, stays to fight. You know, at that time, it wasn't a problem to accept Serie B with Lazio, we considered it as an A2. But no one expected Serie C. But it was exciting: neither I nor my teammates had any doubts; we all stayed to give our best”. Lazio managed to avoid relegation thanks to a dramatic Giuliano Fiorini goal seven minutes from time in the last game against Vicenza, taking the Biancocelesti to a playoff. Further drama was resolved by Fabio Poli’s winner against Campobasso.
In 1987-88 Acerbis contributed to Lazio’s return to Serie A and he stayed one more year in Rome. The highlight of the 1988-89 season must be the derby win with a goal from Paolo DI Canio. It was thanks also to Acerbis who went down the left wing, dribbled past a couple of players and passed to Ruben Sosa who immediately crossed into the box. In came Di Canio on the right who put the ball past Franco Tancredi. A fantastic win in a difficult season with Lazio then managing to avoid relegation in the last game.
In 1989 he signed for Verona in Serie A, but the team was relegated. They came back to Serie A immediately after, but Acerbis was sold in the autumn transfer window to Giulianova in Serie C2. At the end of the season, he retired from professional football. But he continued to play at amateur level for another ten years.
Acerbis was a formidable left-wing midfielder. He had speed (I called him the Train), he could dribble, he had stamina and determination. The fans loved him and he always played his heart out. At Lazio he made 113 appearances (29 in Serie A, 70 in Serie B and 14 in Coppa Italia) with three goals (two in Serie B and one in Coppa Italia).
Silence will be forever golden. Grazie.
Lazio Career
Season | Total appearances (goals) | Serie A | Serie B | Coppa Italia |
1986-87 | 44 (3) | - | 39 (2) | 5 (1) |
1987-88 | 34 | - | 31 | 3 |
1988-89 | 35 | 29 | - | 6 |
Total | 113 (3) | 29 | 70 (2) | 14 (1) |
Sources
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