Lazio come good and grab two crucial points
A Rúben Sosa penalty gives Lazio deserved win
The season so far
The previous year Lazio had finally won promotion back to Serie A. In a packed Olimpico, already under renovation for Italia '90, Lazio had beaten Taranto 3-1 to book their place back in the big time.
The new season started with a new manager. The -9-point deduction and promotion hero Eugenio Fascetti had left and in had come Giuseppe Materazzi.
Lazio’s promotion top scorer Paolo Monelli (13 goals) had also gone (Bari) along with midfielders Vincenzo Esposito (Atalanta) and Domenico Caso (Latina) while loanee forward Giuseppe Galderisi had returned to his original club (Milan) after a disappointing spell at Lazio.
Lazio fans were extremely sad to see Fascetti leave and he would never be forgotten but they also had reasons to be optimistic. Lazio were out of the purgatory of Serie B and had bought some interesting players.
Three South-Americans for a start: relatively unknown (pre-internet days) defender Nelson Gutierrez (River Plate), Abel Dezotti (Newell's Old Boys) plus better known, promising forward Ruben Sosa (Real Zaragoza). Lazio had also signed some Italians: defender Marco Monti (Virescit Bergamo) plus midfielders Andrea Icardi (Atalanta) and Claudio Sclosa (Pisa).
Lazio’s objective this season was to enjoy their re-found elite status and hopefully not have to suffer excessively to maintain it.
The season had started reasonably well with 5 consecutive draws (still only 2 points for a win). This habit of drawing matches would become a prerogative over the season. Lazio had won a derby after ten years in January, with a goal by young homegrown talent Paolo Di Canio. Since then, however, the Biancocelesti had struggled and had not won a match until May 14, a week before today's game, with a 1-0 home win against Pisa. Lazio were on 23 points after 3 wins, 17 draws and 8 defeats. They were involved in the relegation battle and really needed to consolidate on the previous week's win.
In the Coppa Italia Lazio were eliminated in the quarterfinals by Atalanta 4-3 on aggregate.
Fiorentina had arrived 8th the previous season under Sven-Goran Eriksson (officially Technical Director for regulations on foreign managers) and former Roma Sergio Santarini.
This year the Swede stayed on. The Viola had added Brazilian midfielder Carlos Dunga (Pisa) plus veteran striker Roberto Pruzzo (Roma) and Stefano Borgonovo (Como). The Florentines had said goodbye to midfielder Nicola Berti and striker Ramón Díaz (both to Inter).
Fiorentina had 31 points, after 12 wins (including Lazio 3-0, Juventus and Inter), 7 draws and 9 defeats. Roberto Baggio and Borgonovo were scoring regularly; 15 and 13 goals so far. Fiorentina were fighting with Roma and Atalanta for a place in the UEFA Cup.
In the Coppa Italia the Florentines were eliminated in the quarterfinals by Sampdoria 4-1 on aggregate.
So, a team fighting the drop and the other with European ambitions … who would want it more today?
The match: Sunday, May 21, 1989, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Both teams had some important absences today, due to suspension or injury. Lazio were missing Raimondo Marino, Massimo Piscedda, Andrea Icardi and Gabriele Pin. Fiorentina's were less in numbers but maybe more important as they were without Dunga and Borgonovo.
From the word go Lazio seemed more motivated and determined. Sclosa was dominant in midfield, Di Canio and Sosa lively up front. In the 16th minute Lazio appealed for a penalty when Glenn Hysen tripped Di Canio but the referee saw it differently. In the 21st minute a long ball by Ciro Muro found Sosa who, challenged by Hysen, clashed with Giuseppe Pellicanò. The visitor's keeper came out worse for wear with a hand injury and had to be replaced by Marco Landucci.
Lazio continued to attack and accumulated a series of corners. Fiorentina's only chance came in the 43rd minute when Stefano Salvatori slalomed past a few defenders but shot against Valerio Fiori, who had rushed off his line. Half time Lazio 0 Fiorentina 0. The Biancocelesti well on top but no breakthrough yet.
The second half started in the same pattern. Lazio aggressive and Fiorentina on the defensive. The key moment came in the 57th minute when the referee gave Lazio a clear penalty for a blatant Davide Pellegrini foul on Antonio Acerbis. Sosa hammered home a mid-height missile to give Lazio the lead. 1-0.
Fiorentina had a few threatening Baggio freekicks but apart from spending more time in Lazio's half did not really threaten. Eriksson looked at his bench and decided against making any changes. Lazio pulled back in protection of the precious two points and despite some tense last minutes brought home an important win. Final score Lazio 1 Fiorentina 0.
Lazio had deserved the win. They had attacked more (11 corners to 1) and played with more intensity and belief. Fiorentina badly missed Dunga, and Baggio at centre forward was not as effective as when he played behind Borgonovo.
Lazio were not safe yet but today was a giant step forward.
Who played for Lazio
Fiori, Monti, Beruatto, Acerbis, Gregucci, Di Canio, Dezotti (75' Di Loreto), Muro, Sclosa, Sosa (89' Rizzolo)
Substitutes: Martina, Di Biagio, Ercoli
Manager: Materazzi
Who played for Fiorentina
Pellicanò (25' Landucci), Calisti, Carobbi, Battistini, C. Pin, Hysen, Salvatori, E.Cucchi, Pellegrini II, Baggio, Di Chiara II
Substitutes: Bosco, Perugi, Secci, Centrone
TD: Eriksson
Manager: Santarini
Referee: Frigerio
Goals: 57' Sosa (pen)
What happened next
A week later Lazio earned a precious point in a 0-0 derby with Roma. Lazio then lost two matches (Inter 1-3 and Juventus 4-2). That led to a decisive home match against Sampdoria. It was played at the Flaminio as the Olimpico was under renovation for Italia '90. Lazio managed to win 1-0 with a goal by Dezotti. The last match was drawn 0-0 at Ascoli and Lazio were safe. They ended up in 10th place, after 5 wins, 19 draws and 10 defeats. Top scorer was Rubén Sosa with 12 goals (8 in the league).
A respectable first season back. Lazio were solid and not easy to beat but had to be more clinical and transform some of the draws into wins. The relegation zone was only two points away but Europe was only five the other way. The season however was to be considered a success, firstly for staying up and secondly for that fantastic derby win in January, giving Lazio the inebriating joy of defeating city rivals after a long ten years.
Fiorentina drew 1-1 away to Juventus a week later. They then lost two and drew two in the last four games. They won 12, drew 10 and lost 12. They came joint 7th with Roma and had to go to a playoff decider for the last UEFA Cup place. The "Gigliati" then defeated Roma 1-0 in Perugia on June 30, with a goal by Roberto Pruzzo of all people. Top scorer was Baggio with 24 goals (15 in the league).
The Scudetto was won by Trapattoni's record breaking Inter. At the other end it was "arrivederci" to Como, Pisa and Pescara.
Lazio 1988-89
Competition | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals scored |
Serie A | 34 | 5 | 19 | 10 | 23 |
Coppa Italia | 10 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 17 |
Total | 44 | 11 | 20 | 13 | 40 |
Top five appearances
Player | Total | Serie A | Coppa Italia |
Ruben Sosa | 43 | 33 | 10 |
Dezotti | 38 | 29 | 9 |
Beruatto | 37 | 28 | 9 |
Di Canio | 37 | 30 | 7 |
Monti | 36 | 29 | 7 |
Pin | 36 | 27 | 9 |
Top five goal scorers
Player | Total | Serie A | Coppa Italia |
Ruben Sosa | 12 | 8 | 4 |
Dezotti | 9 | 3 | 6 |
Gregucci | 5 | 4 | 1 |
Rizzolo | 5 | 3 | 2 |
Pin | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Let's talk about Paolo Beruatto
Paolo Antonello Beruatto was born in Cuorgnè (Turin), on January 2, 1957.
He started playing football with local Vallorco but his first real team was Torino in their youth sector.
In 1973-74 he spent a season with Asti in Serie D, making 2 appearances.
In 1974-75 he was with Ivrea in Serie D, making 20 appearances with 2 goals.
In 1975 he left Piedmont and joined Monza in Serie C. The Brianzoli got promoted to Serie B and won the Anglo-Italian Cup in his first year. He then played two more full years in Serie B for the Biancorossi. He made a total of 66 appearances with 1 goal for Monza.
In November 1978 he joined Avellino in Serie A. The Irpini earned a positive 10th place under former Lazio player Rino Marchesi. Avellino beat both Milan and Inter at home in a historic season for the "Lupi". Beruatto played 12 league games.
In the 1979-80 season Avellino again stayed up with 12th place. The Biancoverdi beat Napoli away and Juventus at home. Beruatto played 29 league games with 1 goal (Pescara).
In 1980-81 Avellino had a new manager, Brazilian Luis Vinicio. They also started the league with a five-point deduction due to the previous year's Calcio Scommesse scandal (betting scandal). Lazio and Milan were punished with relegation, so the Irpini got off lightly.
Despite the initial handicap the Irpini managed to stay up. Five teams ended up third bottom on 25 points but Avellino saved themselves due to a better record in the direct matches ("classifica avulsa"- a separate table only counting the matches between the teams tied on the same points). Beruatto played a solid 29 league matches.
In 1981 Beruatto returned "home" to Torino. He stayed six seasons, the first under former Lazio player Massimo Giacomini, the second and third with Eugenio Bersellini and the next three with Luigi 'Gigi' Radice. “Il Toro” came 9th, 8th, 5th, 2nd, 5th and 11th. In 1982 they reached the final of Coppa Italia (lost to Inter 2-1 on aggregate) and in 1987 the quarterfinals of the UEFA Cup (lost to Tirol 2-1 on aggregate). Beruatto played 150 league games with 4 goals (Ascoli, Fiorentina x2, Napoli), 44 in Coppa Italia with 1 goal (Sampdoria) and 8 in the UEFA Cup with 1 goal (Nantes).
In 1987 Beruatto joined Lazio in Serie B. The Biancocelesti, with manager Eugenio Fascetti, had avoided relegation the previous season despite a nine-point handicap and this year aimed for promotion. Fascetti stayed on and Lazio were successful in their attempt to return to Serie A. Beruatto played 35 league games with 1 goal (Modena) and 5 in Coppa Italia.
The following year in the top flight Lazio had a new manager, Giuseppe Materazzi. The Biancocelesti finished 11th. Beruatto made 28 league appearances and 9 in Coppa Italia. He was on field and played the full game in Lazio’s first derby win for ten years with a young Paolo Di Canio goal.
The following season was his last at Lazio. The Biancocelesti finished 9th and Beruatto played less, 10 league games and 2 in Coppa Italia. The highlight of the season was a 3-0 win over Maradona's Napoli who would go on to win the Scudetto (Beruatto played the last 6 minutes plus injury time).
He then joined Mantova in Serie C1 for two years where he played another 37 games. At 35 he retired.
On retirement he came back to Lazio and was involved in the youth sector for six years. He then embarked on a coaching career mainly in Serie C1 and C2 (including Triestina, Padova, Arezzo, SPAL). Since 2010 he has been working at youth level (Palermo, Sampdoria, Juventus) and has also collaborated with a couple of teams abroad (Sion and OFI Crete).
Beruatto had a decent career. He is remembered fondly at Avellino, Torino and Lazio. He was a left full-back who covered the whole wing well. He is 1.79 and 75 kilos and was an athletic and untiring player.
At Lazio he played a total of 89 games with 1 goal. He will be remembered as part of the promotion team that finally put and end to Lazio’s tribulations in the "purgatory" of Serie B and as a protagonist of the triumphant "Di Canio" derby of 1989.
His son Pietro is also a left-back and plays in serie B with Pisa. He also won 6 caps for Italy U-20's.
A last non- footballing anecdote is that Paolo Beruatto's daughter took part and got to the final of the 2020 the Miss Italia beauty contest ...well ...anyway.
Lazio Career
Season | Total appearances (goals) | Serie A | Serie B | Coppa Italia |
1987-88 | 40 (1) | - | 35 (1) | 5 |
1988-89 | 34 | 28 | - | 9 |
1989-90 | 12 | 10 | - | 2 |
Total | 86 (1) | 38 | 35 (1) | 16 |
Sources