May 9 1982: Pisa-Lazio 1-1

Dag Jenkins
1 day ago
10 min read

Lazio block leaders

A De Nadai freekick gives battling Lazio a point at Pisa

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).

This season Lazio had got off to a sluggish start with 1 point in the first 3 games but then picked up with 3 consecutive wins. After that they had been inconsistent with 4 wins, 5 draws (including Pisa 2-2) and 5 defeats. 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 3 (including most recent game 2-1 away at Pescara), drawn 8 (including 4 consecutive 0-0s) and lost 2. They were currently 8th, on 34 points. The A zone however was still only five points away (Verona 3rd on 39) but the C zone was also only seven the other way (Rimini on 27). Lazio were in between, today's game could decide which battle they would join, the promotion, relegation or possibly neither.

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.

Pisa had finished 7th in Serie B the previous season, under Lauro Toneatto. The Nerazzurri had lost 1-2 in Rome against Lazio and drawn 1-1 in Tuscany. Their best result was a historic 1-0 win against Milan away. The top scorer was former Lazio, Aldo Cantarutti with 12 league goals.

This season the manager was Aldo Agroppi. The main new signings were: defenders Mariano Riva (Como), midfielders Pasquale Casale (Catania) and Roberto Bergamaschi (Inter - on loan via Brescia but already at Pisa in 1979-80) plus forwards Enrico Todesco (Genoa), Attilio Sorbi (Roma) and Luca Birigozzi (Roma).

Leaving Pisa were: defenders Federico Rossi (Avellino) and Leonardo Occhipinti (Como - on loan in the autumn), midfielders Vito Graziani (Brescia), Odoacre Chierico (Roma), Luca Bartolini (Fiorentina) plus forwards Aldo Cantarutti (Catania), Giovanni Quadri (Nocerina) and Paolo Tuttino (Piacenza - on loan).

Pisa were doing extremely well and were currently joint top of the table with Sampdoria on 40 points. The Nerazzurri had won 11 (including recent 3-1 at home to Palermo), drawn 18 (including Lazio 2-2) and only lost 3.

In the Coppa Italia the Pisani were eliminated in the first round like Lazio. They won 1 (Lazio 2-0 at home), drew 1 (Udinese 1-1 at home) and lost 2 (Reggiana 0-2 and Bologna 0-1, both away).

A very tricky game for Lazio today against Pisa who were flying and had already shown what they were capable of in Rome in December.

The match: Sunday, May 9, 1982, Stadio Arena Garibaldi, Pisa

A bright and warm day saw about 20,000 spectators gather in the Arena. A good number had come up from Rome due to the relative vicinity of the venue (including myself).

Lazio came to Tuscany without defender Arcadio Spinozzi and midfielder Alberto Bigon.

Pisa had to do without defender Felice Secondini, midfielder Attilio Sorbi and former Lazio forward Enrico Todesco.

There had been some doubts before the game about Lazio's desire to compete today. To defend the sporting fairness of the competition the authorities from the "Enquiry Office" had even sent a lawyer, a certain Mr.Porceddu to check on the proceedings.

It soon became apparent there was no cause for alarm. For two reasons, the first was that the Laziali remembered how hard the Pisani had fought the previous year when they had nothing to play for and Lazio were in the promotion race and the second was that the Lazio manager was actually from Pisa and had no intention of making a "brutta figura" in his hometown.

Therefore the game was hard-fought from the start (possibly even too much).

There was a scuffle between Vincenzo Chiarenza and Alessandro Bertoni that went unnoticed by the referee who was too busy booking other players.

Pisa took the lead relatively early. In the 15th minute Roberto Bergamaschi crossed into the middle where Bertoni headed onto Pasquale Casale who with another header beat Dario Marigo, 1-0.

Pisa's lead was no surprise but what then surprised was Lazio's reaction. The Biancocelesti inspired by a lively Vincenzo D'Amico started to put the hosts in difficulty. Claudio Vagheggi in particular was unstoppable for Fabio Massimi. Lazio attacked and had two penalty appeals; on the first Dario Sanguin possibly exaggerated the contact but the second seemed like a blatant Casale handball.

Pisa went quiet with the exception of a Bertoni volley just wide minutes before halftime.

Pisa led at the break but Lazio were by no means sparring partners.

The second half started with a Vagheggi shot which clipped the crossbar and went over.

In the 56th minute Lazio equalised. On a freekick from the edge of the box Sanguin touched to Michele De Nadai who drilled a low shot into the corner, 1-1. An excellent strike and under the Lazio fans' end.

Pisa at this point pushed forward to try and clinch two important promotion points. They had two real chances, a crossbar by Bergamaschi and an acrobatic shot by Bertoni well saved by Marigo.

The game then became tense with a lot of stops and starts for fouls and complaints. Pisa made two changes: Ferruccio Mariani for Luca Birigozzi (74') and Filiberto Giannaccini for Walter Viganò (86') while Lazio replaced Leonardo Surro with Nando Viola (78').

If anyone then came close to winning it was Lazio who had several threatening counterattacks.

As mentioned the game became a bit ugly and in added time Roberto Badiani was sent off for simulation after more scuffles between the players. The Pisa manager Aldo Agroppi joined in the fun too and had a confrontation with Lazio's physio Eugenio Marinucci.

The match ended in a draw with no love lost between the two sides.

Pisa had possibly underestimated Lazio and their fighting spirit today. They had gone in front early and thought it would be easy but Lazio struck back and took away a deserved point.

The enquiry office lawyer's notepad no doubt remained empty.

Lazio were now joint 7th, on 35 points with Perugia (who had a game in hand). Serie A was 6 points above while Serie C was 7 points below. A classic limbo situation at the moment.

Pisa were still top, on 41 points with Sampdoria but they had both also been joined by Verona.

Who played for Pisa

Mannini, Riva, Massimi, Vianello, Garuti, Gozzoli, Bergamaschi, Viganò (86' Giannaccini), Bertoni, Casale, Birigozzi (74' Mariani)

Substitutes: Buso, Baldacci, Nannipieri

Manager: Agroppi

Who played for Lazio

Marigo, Pighin, Chiarenza, Mastropasqua, Pochesci, Sanguin, Vagheggi, Badiani, D'Amico, De Nadai, Surro (78' Viola)

Substitutes: Moscatelli, Benini, Montesi, Ferretti

Manager: Clagluna

Referee: Prati

Goals: 15' Casale, 56' De Nadai

Red Card: 91' Badiani

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwrM5W-Wz9k

What happened next

Lazio continued to struggle and finished 11th, on 37 points (only one above drop zone..). The Biancocelesti lost the next three games and seriously risked relegation but a Vincenzo D'Amico hat-trick in a 3-2 home win against Varese in the penultimate game finally 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 shambles at all levels.

Pisa won a historic second promotion to Serie A (the first was in 1967-68, then for one season). The Nerazzurri finished 3rd, on 47 points. In the last 5 games they won 1 and drew 4 (all 0-0!). The top scorer was Casale with 15 league goals.

Pisa went up with champions Verona and 2nd placed Sampdoria. At the opposite end Pescara, SPAL, Brescia and Rimini slipped down to Serie C.

Let's talk about Alessandro Bertoni

Alessandro Bertoni was born in Reggio Emilia, on February 15, 1959.

He started his football in his hometown team of Reggiana and went through the various youth teams before making his debut in '77-78 with 3 appearances in Serie C. The Granata, under manager Guido Mammi, went close to promotion finishing 3rd.

In 1978-79, first under Mammi and then Franco Marini (from 30th fixture onwards), "La Regia" finished 4th but Bertoni played more regularly, 17 league games.

In 1979 he left "La Citta del Tricolore" (The birthplace of the Italian flag) and joined Rondinella Marzocco (Florence) in C2. The "Rondine" (The Swallow) finished 3rd and Bertoni played 29 league games with 8 goals.

In 1980 he stayed in Tuscany but joined Pisa in Serie B. The manager was Lauro Toneatto and the Nerazzurri finished 7th. Bertoni played 22 league games with 6 goals (Cesena, Atalanta, Lecce x2, Lazio, SPAL). He played alongside former Lazio, Aldo Cantarutti and future Lazio, Arturo Vianello. Pisa's biggest result was beating Milan 1-0 at San Siro.

In 1981-82 he stayed under the leaning tower and Pisa were promoted to Serie A. The manager was Aldo Agroppi and Bertoni played 37 league games with 10 goals (Pescara, Catania, Rimini, Perugia, Palermo, Lecce, Pescara, Cremonese, Sampdoria and SPAL).

In 1982 he went up the Arno and joined Fiorentina in Serie A. The Viola came 5th under Giancarlo De Sisti. Bertoni played 24 league games with 2 goals (Catanzaro on debut and Avellino), 5 in Coppa Italia with 1 goal (Nocerina) and made his European debut playing 2 games in the Uefa Cup. He played alongside World Champions Giancarlo Antognoni and Francesco Graziani and briefly future Lazio Paolo Monelli (he left in the autumn - to return the following season).

The following year Bertoni stayed in Florence and the Gigliati finished 3rd (UEFA Cup). Bertoni played less, 9 league games and 3 in Coppa Italia with 1 goal (Ascoli). He played alongside two more World Champions; Gabriele Oriali and Daniel Passarella.

In 1984, still in Tuscany, he joined Arezzo in Serie B. The Amaranto got through three managers: Enzo Riccomini (1-23), Giuseppe Chiappella (24-32) and Mario Rossi (33-38) and finished 14th. Bertoni played 36 league games with only 1 goal. Two of his team-mates were future Lazio, Fabrizio Di Mauro and Giuseppe Corti plus future Roma, Amedeo Carboni.

In 1985 Bertoni left Tuscany for Campania and joined Avellino in Serie A. The Irpini had a good season under Enzo Robotti and finished 11th . Bertoni played 30 league games with 1 goal (Pisa) and 5 in Coppa Italia with 2 goals (Ancona, Inter). The squad included former Lazio Andrea Agostinelli and Joāo Batista. Avellino's best results were beating Roma and Inter, both 1-0 at home.

In 1986-87 he stayed in Irpinia. The manager was former Lazio Luís ioVinicio and the Biancoverdi finished a record high 8th. They beat Milan, Roma and Fiorentina at home and drew with Juventus while away they beat Udinese 6-2. Bertoni played 27 league games with 3 goals (Juventus, Udinese, Sampdoria).

In 1987-88 still at Avellino the fairytale faded and the "Lupi" were relegated, under first Vinicio and then, after six games, Eugenio Bersellini. The Irpini's best result was beating Juventus 1-0 at home with a Bertoni winner. They also drew at Inter 1-1 and Roma 0-0 away and 0-0 at home against Milan. The Biancoverdi reached the quarterfinals of the Coppa Italia but were knocked out by Juventus 1-2 on aggregate. Bertoni played 30 league games with 2 goals (Torino Juventus) plus 9 games in Coppa Italia with 2 goals (Cremonese, Parma). This year one of his team-mates was former Lazio, Massimo Storgato.

In 1988-89 he stayed with Avellino in Serie B. The manager was first Enzo Ferrari (1-13) and then former Lazio, Eugenio Fascetti (14-38) and Avellino went no further than 7th place. Bertoni played 36 league games with 2 goals (Taranto, Barletta). The squad included former Lazio, Carlo Perrone.

In 1989 he left Irpinia and came to the capital, joining Lazio. The manager was Beppe Materazzi and Lazio finished 9th. Bertoni played 26 league games with 2 goals (Roma, Genoa) plus 2 games in Coppa Italia. So Bertoni got into Lazio’s history books scoring in the derby, it ended up 1-1 with Giannini equalising seven minutes from time. Lazio’s biggest wins were 1-0 away to Milan, 3-0 at home to eventual champions Napoli and 2-1 at home to Inter.

The next season Italian legend Dino Zoff arrived as manager. Lazio also signed German forward Karl-Heinz Riedle and Armando Madonna so Bertoni played less, 8 league games and 1 in Coppa Italia. Lazio finished 11th, their best results being defeating Juventus 1-0 at home while both derbies were draws.

In 1991 Bertoni left Lazio and returned home to Reggiana in Serie B. Under manager Giuseppe Marchioro, the Granata finished 7th and Bertoni played 35 league games with 2 goals (Modena, Bologna) and 4 games in Coppa Italia. He chose his two goals well, both in local derbies. His teammates included former Lazio defender Mario Monti and a young but already silver-haired Fabrizio Ravanelli.

The following year went better for Reggiana who topped Serie B and won promotion but not so well for Bertoni who never played and in January joined nearby Carpi in C1. He played 6 league games, first under Giorgio Ciaschini and then Domenico Fornaciari. The "Falconi" finished 17th but avoided relegation due to Ternana and Taranto's financial difficulties.

Bertoni then retired at 34.

Since retiring he has lived in his hometown of Reggio Emilia. He has remained in the football world and trains kids at Polisportiva Falk, a satellite club of Reggiana.

Bertoni was a forward. He was not overly physical at 1.76 and 72 kilos but he was very athletic and mobile, opening spaces and pairing up well with the real centre-forwards. He had a good club career, playing 134 games in Serie A with 12 goals including two against Juventus and one against Roma. He also won a promotion with Pisa in 1981-82.

At Lazio he had a positive first season with the satisfaction of scoring in a Roman derby. He played 35 games for the Biancocelesti with 2 goals but the goal against the Giallorossi counts as many more.