Lazio win but now need a miracle
The Biancocelesti get the win but go into the last game still two points behind Juventus
Also on this day: May 7, 1995, Juventus Lazio 0-3. Juventus totally dominated for 70 minutes but could not beat an inspired Marchegiani and were made to pay by Di Matteo plus two injury time goals. Non Lazio Player of the day: Gianluca Vialli
The season so far
The previous season Lazio had come agonisingly close to winning the title. They were only overtaken by eventual champions Milan in the penultimate game of the season and in controversial circumstances. Lazio were held to a 1-1 draw in Florence with some extremely dubious refereeing decisions by Treossi, including the denial of a clear penalty on Marcelo Salas.
Lazio had however triumphed in Europe winning the last ever Cup Winners Cup in May (2-1 against Mallorca in Birmingham) and then beaten Manchester United 1-0 (Salas) to lift the Supercup in August, in Monte Carlo.
This season there had been some important changes to the squad. Three more Argentinians were signed: defender Nestor Sensini (Parma), midfielders Diego "El Cholo" Simeone (Inter) and Juan Sebastian Veron "La Brujita" (Parma). Another midfielder Dario Marcolin was back from a loan spell (Blackburn) and striker Simone Inzaghi was added (Piacenza). In the summer, big Swedish forward Kennet Andersson had arrived from Bologna, but after the winter market session was already back playing for today's opposition. To replace him Lazio had brought in experienced Fabrizio "Silver Fox" Ravanelli (Olympique Marseille).
Lazio had also lost an important player in striker Christian Vieri who was sold to Inter for a then world record transfer fee of 90 billion Lire (approx 45 million Euros). Spanish midfielder Ivan de la Peña had gone to Olympique Marseille after a disappointing spell at Lazio and Roberto Baronio went to Reggina on loan.
In Serie A this season Lazio were currently in 2nd place, two points behind leaders Juventus. Just six weeks earlier there had been a nine-point gap but with Juve's defeat against Milan, the same weekend Lazio beat Roma, and the consequent Lazio win in the direct clash in Turin had reduced the deficit and now the Biancocelesti were in striking distance. They had won 19, drawn 9 and lost 4. The match this afternoon was possibly the last chance to catch the "Zebras" who had a difficult game at home to 5th place Parma. Anything other than a win would basically end the Biancocelesti's Scudetto hopes.
Lazio's historic debut in the Champions League had started in September with a 1-1 away draw at Bayer Leverkusen. The first group phase also included Dynamo Kiev (2-1, 1-0), Slovenian Maribor (4-0, 4-0) and Leverkusen (1-1, 1-1). The second phase group was made up of Olympique Marseille (2-0, 5-1), Feyenoord (1-2, 0-0) and Chelsea (0-0, 2-1). In the quarter finals they had lost 3-5 on aggregate to a “high flying” Valencia.
In Coppa Italia Lazio were through to the final. Lazio had eliminated Ravenna (1-1, 4-1), Juventus (2-3, 2-1) on away goals rule and Venezia (5-0, 2-2). In the final the Biancocelesti had beaten Inter 2-1 in the first leg at home and would play the Nerazzurri again away on May 18.
Today however was all about the Scudetto hopes. Lazio were in striking distance and sensed Juventus were in difficulty. An exodus of Lazio fans travelled up to Bologna full of optimism.
Bologna had finished 9th the previous season and qualified for the UEFA Cup after a playoff with Inter. The manager was Carlo Mazzone and the Rossoblu had also reached the semi-finals of both the Coppa Italia (Fiorentina 2-4 after extra time) and the UEFA Cup (Olympique Marseille on away goals). Top scorer was former Lazio, Beppe Signori with 15 goals (9 in A).
This season Sergio Buso had started as manager but was replaced after seven games by Francesco Guidolin. The main new players were keeper Gianluca Pagliuca (Inter), defenders Giulio Falcone (Fiorentina) and Pierre Womé (Roma), midfielder Zé Elias (Inter) and forward Nicola Ventola (Inter-on loan). In the winter session keeper Paolo Orlandoni (Reggina-on loan) and defender Max Tonetto (Milan-on loan) arrived.
Leaving were keeper Francesco Antonioli (Roma) and defender Amedeo Mangone (Roma).
In Serie A, Bologna were in mid-table in 10th place, on 39 points. The Felsinei had won 9 (including Inter 3-0 and Roma 1-0 at home), drawn 12 and lost 11 (including Lazio 1-3 on the Biancocelesti's centenary). A week earlier the Rossoblu had drawn 2-2 away at Cagliari. Top scorer was Signori with 16 goals (12 in A).
In the UEFA Cup Bologna had reached the last 32 but lost to Galatasaray 2-3 on aggregate.
In Coppa Italia they had been eliminated in the last 16 by Inter 2-5 on aggregate.
So, Lazio with far more to play for and surely favourites, but Bologna were a decent team and no side wants to lose the last game in front of their supporters.
The match: Sunday, May 7, 2000, Stadio Renato Dall'Ara, Bologna
A muggy, cloudy day saw about 35,000 spectators present, at least 15,000 from Rome.
Lazio had Sinisa Mihajlovic, Alen Boksic and Simone Inzaghi unavailable while Bologna were without defender Michele Paramatti, midfielders Davide Fontolan and Eriberto.
Lazio started on the attack but the first chance fell to Bologna. In the 2nd minute former Lazio idol Beppe Signori put Andersson through on goal but Luca Marchegiani came out low and saved. In the impact with the big Swede, Marchegiani injured his shoulder and was forced off, replaced by Marco Ballotta.
In the 14th minute Jonatan Binotto fired just wide from the long range following a corner and tried again a minute later but with the same result.
Lazio grew into the game and in the 15th minute Juan Sebastian Veron curled a dangerous freekick round the wall but Gianluca Pagliuca saved well.
Lazio seemed to have quelled Bologna's initial surge and in the 25th minute took the lead. Roberto Mancini beat the offside trap and reached the right by-line where he put in a low cross, the ball was contested by Marcelo Salas and a defender and trickled back to Sergio Conceição who had no difficulty in slotting it in with a low right foot. Bologna 0 Lazio 1.
At the moment Juventus vs Parma was still 0-0 so a playoff would be on the cards.
Bologna were up for a game however, and Alessandro Nesta had to anticipate Signori with a lunging, sliding tackle. In the 39th minute however Beppe-gol was unstoppable. Teed up by Giancarlo Marocchi centrally, he slipped between Fernando Couto and Beppe Pancaro and coolly beat Ballotta with a left-footed strike on the far post. A great goal and Bologna 1 Lazio 1.
Back to square one and no playoff.
Lazio reacted well and had two dangerous Veron shots saved by Pagliuca and then Alessandro Dal Canto almost put the ball in his own net from a Veron corner. Halftime Bologna 1 Lazio 1.
A fair result so far.
For the second half, Lazio replaced midfielder Conceição with a striker Fabrizio Ravanelli as they had no alternative but to win.
Lazio went forward but without creating any real scoring opportunities apart from Ravanelli being anticipated outside the area by Pagliuca.
In the 60th minute bad news came through on the radios, Juventus had scored with a Del Piero goal. The Bianconeri were now four points ahead and had virtually won the scudetto.
A few minutes later hope was revived. In the 63rd minute Veron curled a freekick into the area where Diego Simeone headed past Pagliuca. Bologna 1 Lazio 2.
At this point Lazio were in control. Veron had another low curling freekick saved on the near post and in the 67th shot high from the long range.
In the 70th minute Lazio practically closed the game. Mancini fed Pancaro down the left wing and his perfect cross was met by "El Matador" Salas on the far post where he outjumped Massimo Paganin and beat Pagliuca. Bologna 1 Lazio 3.
Lazio could have scored again with Salas but first he lost the moment after being set up by Mancini in front of goal and then he had a header go wide from a corner. Salas then scored in the 84th minute but it was disallowed for a dubious offside.
In the 89th minute a hesitant Couto lost his man Signori who blasted a close range left foot into the roof of the net. Signori, as after his first goal, did not celebrate but Lazio now had to be careful, Bologna 2 Lazio 3.
At this moment, just when Lazio were kicking off again, a huge roar came from the Lazio supporters end, news had come that Parma's Fabio Cannavaro had equalised in Turin. The joy was short-lived as the goal, as would be discovered later, was inexplicably disallowed. The defender had headed in from a corner. There was no offside, no foul, the ball had not gone out… an absolute mystery. To this day no-one understands why it was not given. Well there is theory but it has nothing to do with fair play or equal opportunities...
In Bologna, once the illusion had faded, Lazio played out the last five minutes of added time without running any particular risks. Final score Bologna 2 Lazio 3.
In the second half Lazio had deserved the win and their stronger motivations came out. There was satisfaction but also frustration as more details of the events from Turin emerged.
The table read Juventus 71 Lazio 69. There was one game to go, Juventus played Perugia away while Lazio had Reggina at home. Perugia the previous year had put up no resistance whatsoever against Milan so there was not much optimism but you never know sometimes miracles happen....
Who played for Bologna
Pagliuca, Falcone, Bia, Paganin (86' Gamberini), Dal Canto, Binotto (70' Goretti), Ingesson, Marocchi (90' Kolyvanov), Nervo, K.Andersson, Signori
Substitutes: Orlandoni, Wome, Zé Elias, Ventola
Manager: Guidolin
Who played for Lazio
Marchegiani (3' Ballotta), Negro, Nesta, Couto, Pancaro, Conceição (46' Ravanelli), Simeone (86' Sensini), Veron, Nedved, Salas, Mancini
Manager: Eriksson
Referee: Messina
Goals: 25' Conceição, 39' Signori, 63' Simeone, 75' Salas, 89' Signori
What happened next
Then came the drama to end all dramas. In the last match of the season Lazio were at home to Reggina and Juve away to Perugia (both teams were already safe). The most optimistic scenario was maybe forcing a playoff with Juventus if they drew in Perugia and then may the best team win. In Rome it was a gloriously sunny day but up the road in Umbria the weather was different.
At half time Lazio were cruising 2-0 while Juve were still 0-0. Then the heavens opened in Perugia and the pitch became so flooded the game had to be postponed for 75 minutes. Lazio meanwhile cruised to a 3-0 win and what followed was surreal. The players went back to the changing rooms while the game in Perugia restarted despite a waterlogged pitch. The 70,000 Lazio fans stayed in their seats, a few listening to their transistor radios and the others scrutinising their reactions.
At first it was rumoured the game would be shown on the scoreboard but that never materialised. In the 49th minute came the first explosion of joy and thousands invaded the pitch when Alessandro Calori (initially former Roma player Massimiliano Cappioli was attributed the goal) scored for Perugia. The next 40 minutes were agony and became worse when suddenly the stadium tannoy started booming out the final minutes of the game. People reacted in different ways to the metallic echo of the commentary; some prayed, others blocked their ears, others held on to friends, family or even complete strangers meanwhile the transistor radio owners were no longer treated like Hollywood stars.
After an interminable wait and 5 minutes of injury time at 18.04 of the 14th May 2000 Lazio were declared to be champions of Italy for the second time in their history. Twenty-six years after Tommaso Maestrelli, Giorgio Chinaglia and Co, Lazio were "Campioni d'Italia"!! Absolute mayhem broke out in the stadium and in the streets of Rome. A well-deserved title albeit won in unique and unexpected circumstances. The celebrations were unforgettable and went on for weeks.
A few days later, still smelling of champagne and sporting celebratory blonde and tricolour hairstyles, Lazio also won the Coppa Italia. Having beaten Inter 2-1 in the first leg of the final in Rome, a 0-0 draw in Milan proved enough to win a historic double. A season to remember and tell future generations about.
Lazio's top scorer in the league was Marcelo Salas with 12 goals while Simone Inzaghi got 19 in all competitions.
Bologna drew the last game 1-1 at Bari and finished 12th. Top scorer was Beppe Signori with 19 goals (15 in A).
With Lazio champions at the other end Torino, Venezia, Piacenza and Cagliari slumped down to Serie B. The first three would bounce straight up again.
Lazio 1999-2000
Competition | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals scored |
Serie A | 34 | 21 | 9 | 4 | 64 |
Coppa Italia | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 18 |
Champions League | 14 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 26 |
UEFA Super Cup | 1 | 1 | - | - | 1 |
Total | 57 | 32 | 18 | 7 | 109 |
Top five appearances
Players | Total | Serie A | Coppa Italia | Champions League | UEFA Super Cup |
Nedved | 47 | 28 | 6 | 12 | 1 |
Simeone | 47 | 28 | 7 | 11 | 1 |
Veron | 47 | 31 | 4 | 11 | 1 |
Mihajlovic | 46 | 26 | 7 | 12 | 1 |
Pancaro | 45 | 28 | 5 | 11 | 1 |
Top five goal scorers
Players | Total | Serie A | Coppa Italia | Champions League | UEFA Super Cup |
Inzaghi | 19 | 7 | 3 | 9 | - |
Salas | 17 | 12 | - | 4 | 1 |
Mihajlovic | 13 | 6 | 4 | 3 | - |
Veron | 10 | 8 | - | 2 | - |
Boksic | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | - |
Let's talk about Paolo Orlandoni
Paolo Orlandoni was born in Bolzano on August 12, 1972.
He started his football in the Inter academy in 1986. In 1987 he and the Nerazzurri won the U17's league title and in 1989 the U19's.
In 1990-91 he joined the Inter first squad but did not make any appearances. The manager was Giovanni Trapattoni and Inter finished 3rd and won the UEFA Cup. The main keeper was Walter Zenga.
In 1991-92 he spent a season with Mantova in C2. The Virgiliani got through three managers: Claudio Tobia (1-8), former Lazio player Gian Piero Ghio (9-19) and Antonio Pasinato (20-38). Mantova finished 4th and Orlandoni played 8 league games. One of his teammates was, an end of career, Paolo Beruatto (1987-1990).
In 1992-93 he played a season with Leffe in C1. He again played 8 league games under Bortolo Mutti and the Seriani finished 4th. One of his teammates was a young Filippo Inzaghi.
In 1993-94 he joined Casarano in C1. He played 22 league games under Roberto Antonelli and the "Serpi" (The Snakes) finished 7th.
In 1994-95 he started with the Pugliesi but then, after playing 1 league game, joined Pro Sesto in C1. He played 25 league games under Roberto Antonelli (1-25) and then former Lazio player, Carlo Soldo (1967-69). The Biancocelesti finished 14th.
In 1995-96 he joined Ancona in Serie B. The manager was first former Lazio keeper Massimo Cacciatori (1-35) and then Marcello Neri and the Dorici finished 19th and relegated. Orlandoni played 14 league games. He played alongside Lazio connection Gigi Corino (1991-1994).
In 1996-97 he spent a season at Foggia in Serie B, but only made one league appearance. The manager was Tarcisio Burgnich and the Satanelli finished 11th. His teammates included Lazio connections Oberdan Biagioni (1987-88) and Francesco Mancini (1995-96) who was the main keeper.
In 1997-98 he moved to Sicily and Acireale in Serie C1. The manager was former Juventus legend Antonello Cuccureddu and the Granata finished 8th. Orlandoni played 28 league games (only conceding 12 goals).
In 1998 he moved across the straits and joined Reggina (Reggio Calabria) in Serie B. The manager was Elio Giustinetti and the Reggini finished 3rd, winning promotion to Serie A. Orlandoni played 34 league games and 1 in Coppa Italia. One of his teammates was future Lazio, Fabio Firmani (2005-09, 2009-11).
In 1999-2000 he stayed in Reggio but only until January. He played 13 league games and 4 in Coppa Italia under new manager Franco Colomba. The Amaranto eventually finished a positive 11th. His teammates included Lazio connections Alessandro Iannuzzi (1995-96, 1998-99) and Roberto Baronio (1996-97, 1998-99, 2000-01, 2005-06, 2006-08, 2009-10) plus Italian great Andrea Pirlo.
In January 2000 he joined Bologna in Serie A. The manager was Francesco Guidolin and the Rossoblu finished 12th. The main keeper was Gianluca Pagliuca and Orlandoni played 3 league games.
In 2000-01 he joined Italian champions Lazio. Lazio had Angelo Peruzzi and Luca Marchegiani so Orlandoni was clearly third choice. The manager was first Sven-Goran Eriksson and then, from January, Dino Zoff. Orlandoni played one league game when Peruzzi was sent off. The Biancocelesti finished 3rd but won the Italian Supercoppa (Inter 4-3).
In 2001 he moved on again and joined Piacenza in Serie A. He stayed four seasons with the "Papaveri" (The Poppies) finishing 12th, 16th (relegated), 8th in B and 9th. He played 64 league games and 10 in Coppa Italia. His managers were Walter Novellino, former Lazio player Andrea Agostinelli (1975-79) and then Luigi Cagni, Cagni again and finally in the fourth season Giuseppe Iachini. His teammates in Emilia included Lazio connections, Marcelino Matuzalém (2008-12) and Dario Marcolin (1992-93, 1995-99, 1999-2000).
In 2005 Orlandoni joined Inter. He stayed seven seasons with the Nerazzurri as reserve keeper to first Francesco Toldo and then Júlio César or both. He only played 4 league games, 1 in Coppa Italia and 1 in the Champions League. It was a winning period for the "Biscione" as they won 5 Scudetti, 3 Coppa Italia's, 4 Supercoppa's, a Champions League and a World Cup for clubs. The managers were former Lazio Roberto Mancini (3 league titles), José Mourinho (2 league titles and a Champions league in the famous "triplete" season of 2010), Rafael Benitez and then Leonardo in one season and finally three in the last season, Gian Piero Gasperini, Claudio Ranieri and Andrea Stramaccioni. In his time with the Nerazzurri his teammates included numerous Lazio connections: Sinisa Mihajlovic (1998-2004), Aparecido César (2001-06), Juan Sebastian Veron (1999-2001), Dejan Stankovic (1998-2004), Hernan Crespo (2000-02), Julio Cruz (2009-10) and Goran Pandev (2004-09).
At almost 40 he then retired.
In his youth he played 5 games for Italy U15's and 2 for Italy U18's.
After retiring he became a goalkeeper's coach. He has had spells with Inter U19's (2012-15), Fenerbahçe (2015-17), Nantes (2017-18), Fulham (2018-19), Inter (2019-20), Cagliari (2020-21) and Sassuolo (2021- present day).
Orlandoni was obviously a goalkeeper. He is 1.86 for 90 kilos and he had a strange career rarely holding down a regular first team place for long. His best years were with Reggina and Piacenza although at Inter he was part of a squad that won everything there was to win.
At Lazio he passed without much trace only playing one official game.
On a personal level he often takes part in charity events in favour of Down syndrome kids and helps out with the Capirsi Down association. This is also because his daughter Emma is affected by the syndrome.
Lazio career
Season | Seria A Appearances |
2000-01 | 1 |
Sources