October 12, 1975: Lazio Inter 1-1
- Simon Basten
- Oct 12
- 8 min read
Lacklustre draw
Lazio and Inter draw a game which did not offer much
Also on this day
The season so far
The previous season Lazio had arrived fourth. The team was deeply affected by their manager’s illness. Tommaso Maestrelli had cancer so he could not lead the Biancocelesti for the 1975-76 season. President Umberto Lenzini had waited until the last possible moment, and then he was forced to look elsewhere. The new manager was Giulio Corsini, a young trainer who had done well with Atalanta.
Corsini’s idea was to get rid of some of the players that had been the backbone of the scudetto team. So goodbye Mario Frustalupi and Giancarlo Oddi, who were sold to Cesena in exchange for Paolo Ammoniaci and Francesco Brignani, plus Franco Nanni, sold to Bologna. The other signing of any significance was Antonio Lopez from Pescara.
Giorgio Chinaglia was a problem.
Long John’s family had been forced to return to the US following threats by Roma supporters. Chinaglia really missed his family so in the summer he went to the States. While he was there he was invited to play a game for the Hartford Bicentennials against Poland. His participation was a media event and Chinaglia felt very important.
Pele joined the New York Cosmos and Chinaglia was invited to see the Brazilian champion’s first game with the club. While he was there he asked if Cosmos would want to sign him too. He really missed his family and he felt that life without them, the current difficult situation in Italy, plus Maestrelli’s illness were a sign that his Lazio adventure was over. Lenzini refused any negotiations and threatened Chinaglia with fines and suspension. Long John was forced to come back to Rome but when he arrived he saw that some of his teammates had been sold and that the new manager wanted to rule. Chinaglia demanded to play in Coppa Italia as soon as he returned, the manager said no. War had begun.
In Coppa Italia Lazio did rather well, qualifying for the second phase, which would be played at the end of the campionato. They won their two matches at home and drew the two away games.
In the UEFA Cup Lazio faced Chernomorets Odessa in the first round. After losing 1-0 away in the first leg, Lazio managed to take the tie to extra time thanks to a Chinaglia penalty with one minute to go. Long John then scored another two goals and the Biancocelesti went through.
So far, the Biancocelesti had played one Serie A fixture away to Sampdoria winning 1-0 thanks to young debutant Bruno Giordano who scored in the dying seconds of the match. Today game two at the Olimpico against Inter.
The match: Sunday, October 12, 1975, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
In the sixth minute, Giuseppe Pavone delivered a golden opportunity to Roberto Boninsegna, but the centre-forward hesitated as he tried to control the ball, wasting the moment for a shot. Moments later, Felice Pulici was called into action again to deny Boninsegna, who had been released in front of goal after a clever exchange between Pavone and Sandro Mazzola.
Then, against the run of play, Lazio took a surprising lead in the 16th minute. Giacinto Facchetti was forced to stop a surging Giorgio Chinaglia, who had broken free from Graziano Bini’s marking. The foul came right on the edge of the box, in a central position. Chinaglia struck low, the ball glided past a poorly positioned wall, caught Lido Vieri off guard, and nestled in the net.
Inter responded with authority, urged forward by the ever-influential Mazzola. Bruno Giordano dropped deep to help in defence and was booked for a foul in the 17th minute. Soon after came the equaliser: Mazzola was fouled by Paolo Ammoniaci near the by-line, barely three metres from the area. From the ensuing free kick, Mazzola found Mario Bertini, whose shot was deflected into the net by Facchetti’s right foot. Pulici had no chance — 1–1 in the 22nd minute.
The match then drifted without much rhythm or creativity. Lazio pressed but lacked imagination and flair. Bini received a yellow card in the 37th minute for a foul on Chinaglia, and shortly afterward Giordano, limping from an ankle knock, was replaced by Toto Lopez — a technically refined player, though less dynamic than the man he replaced.
Just before halftime, Lazio nearly reclaimed the lead. Once again from a free kick, Chinaglia forced a fine save from Vieri, who punched the ball clear. Francesco Brignani followed up and shot on goal, but Vieri reacted superbly to parry again.
The second half brought more of the same — flashes of promise, but little precision. Boninsegna squandered two clear chances in the 50th and 51st minutes, while Brignani missed the best of Lazio’s opportunities, failing to convert a perfect pass from Luciano Re Cecconi in the 67th.
The game ended even — 1–1 — and, for once, without controversy.
Who played for Lazio
Pulici, Ammoniaci, Martini, Wilson, Ghedin, Re Cecconi, Garlaschelli, Brignani, Chinaglia, Badiani, Giordano (39’ Lopez)
Manager: Corsini
Who played for Inter
Vieri, Fedele, Giubertoni, Oriali, Bini. Facchetti, Pavone, Marini, Boninsegna, Mazzola, Bertini
Substitutes: Bordon, Galbiati, Mutti
Manager: Chiappella
Referee: Menicucci
Goals: 16’ Chinaglia, 22 Facchetti
What happened next
Lenzini had then granted Chinaglia the possibility of going to the US once a month to see his family. Corsini did not agree and told the Lazio centre forward that “until I am the Lazio manager you will never be going to the States”. The situation reached its pinnacle in the interval of the first derby of the season. Chinaglia and Corsini clashed, the old Lazio guard was with their leader and all hell broke loose. Long John scored Lazio’s equaliser and that night flew to the US. The next Sunday Lazio lost and Corsini was sacked. Lazio were 13th, in the relegation zone with just 5 points.
Tommaso Maestrelli was feeling much better and had returned almost to a normal life. Lenzini offered him his job back and the Maestro accepted. But there were problems. Lazio did not have a playmaker since Frustalupi had been sold. Lots of runners, but nobody to feed the ball to the forwards.
In the UEFA Cup Lazio were drawn against Johan Cruijff’s Barcelona. A few weeks before the first leg, General Francisco Franco had ordered a few dissidents shot and this had created great indignation in Italy. There was strong pressure from Italian politicians on Lazio to refuse to play against the Spanish team. Lenzini did what he could to get the game played, but in the end gave up. As a consequence, UEFA gave the victory to the Spaniards 3-0. The return game was pointless and the Biancocelesti, packed with reserves, lost 4-0. The stupidity of the decision was blatant: Barcelona and Catalunya had always been against Franco.
The Biancocelesti struggled all season. With four games to the end, Lazio were third from bottom, one point behind Sampdoria and Ascoli. Three teams went down (two points for victory). The Biancocelesti had to play against Torino who were Serie A leaders. Lazio scored in the second half but an unfortunate own goal with 60 seconds to go gave Torino the equaliser. With three games left, Cagliari were doomed on 15 points, Como had 18, Lazio and Sampdoria 20, Ascoli 21 and Verona 22.
The Torino game was Chinaglia’s last ever for Lazio. He left that evening to join New York Cosmos. His last goal had been against Ascoli on March 21.
Lazio lost the next match 4-3 in Florence. So now Como and Lazio were on 20, Ascoli 21, Verona and Sampdoria 22. Lazio needed to beat AC Milan in the last game at home and they did. Not only, they literally destroyed them, scored four goals and could have scored many more.
Como had 20 points, Lazio, Sampdoria and Ascoli 22, Verona 23. Last match at Como. After 17 minutes the Biancocelesti were 2-0 down but then Giordano managed to pull one back. At the end of the first half the situation was Lazio and Como on 22 points, Ascoli, who were winning against Roma, on 24, Sampdoria, who were 1-0 up against Napoli, also on 24, as were Verona who were losing in Florence.
In the second half, Badiani equalised and the Biancocelesti managed to bring back the necessary point that allowed them to reach safety. Lazio and Ascoli were on 23 points but the Biancocelesti had a better goal difference so it was Ascoli who joined Como and Cagliari in Serie B.
Great celebrations and tears of joy at the end of the game. But there was still a problem.
We mentioned that Frustalupi and Oddi had been sold to Cesena in the summer of 1975. Lazio, however, still owed them some money. Furthermore, in the home match, the Cesena goalkeeper Lamberto Boranga had had his car damaged by some Lazio fans (in 1971 Boranga had feigned being hit by Chinaglia during a game and Long John had been sent off) and Lazio had promised to reimburse him. So, when Lazio went to Cesena in April 1976, the club took the opportunity to pay off their debts.
CORRUPTION!!!! Lazio have bribed the Cesena players!!! There was an enquiry and nothing happened but the club and tifosi had to wait until the end of July to be certain.
At the end of a complicated season there was the second phase of the Coppa Italia to play. The eight winners of the first phase groups were divided into two groups of four. Lazio had to play against Verona, Inter and Genoa. In the end they arrived third, just one point behind leaders Verona who qualified for the final (which they lost to Napoli).
Let’s talk about Gabriele Oriali
Gabriele “Lele” Oriali, born on November 25, 1952, in Como, Italy, is a former professional footballer, manager, and sporting director whose career has been defined by discipline, commitment, and tactical intelligence. Best known for his long association with Inter Milan and for his role in Italy’s 1982 FIFA World Cup triumph, Oriali remains one of the most respected figures in Italian football history.
Oriali joined Inter’s youth academy at the age of thirteen, progressing through the ranks to make his senior debut in 1970. A versatile and industrious midfielder, he quickly established himself as a key player. Renowned for his stamina, determination, and ability to recover possession, Oriali was often deployed as a defensive midfielder or right-back. Although not known for technical flair, his intelligence and work ethic made him indispensable to both coaches and teammates.
During his thirteen seasons with Inter, Oriali made 398 appearances with 44 goals and won two Scudetti (1970–71 and 1979–80) as well as two Coppa Italia titles (1977–78 and 1981–82). In 1983, he transferred to Fiorentina, where he played until his retirement in 1987, continuing to exemplify the same professionalism and consistency that had characterized his time at Inter.
His international career with the Italian national team began in 1978. He earned 28 caps and scored one goal for the Azzurri. His most significant achievement came at the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain, where he was a crucial member of the squad that captured Italy’s third world title. Oriali featured in five matches during the tournament, including the final against West Germany, demonstrating his typical reliability and tactical discipline. His performances solidified his reputation as one of Italy’s most selfless and dependable players.
After retiring from playing, Oriali transitioned into management and directorial roles. He served as sporting director of Solbiatese, Bologna and later held significant posts at Parma and Inter Milan, including roles as technical director. He was also team manager for the Italian national team for several years.
As of 2024–2025, Gabriele Oriali holds the position of Sports Coordinator at Napoli, working closely alongside head coach Antonio Conte. In this role, his responsibilities include bridging communication between club management and the first team, overseeing staff coordination, welcoming new players to the squad, and ensuring that the organizational and cultural environment supports performance, discipline, and cohesion.
Throughout his long career in football, Gabriele Oriali has been celebrated for his humility, loyalty, and professionalism. His nickname “Lele” evokes affection among fans and colleagues, while his influence extends far beyond the pitch. In recognition of his contributions to the sport, Oriali has been inducted into the Italian Football Hall of Fame.
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