October 12, 1980: Lazio Varese 2-1
Two goals in two minutes were enough for Lazio
Lazio score twice in two minutes but are made to work hard for victory by a stubborn Varese side
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 result 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 Lazio were fined 10 million lire. At the time fans thought that all in all this was acceptable.
Others had even worse sentences. Milan were relegated (there was a direct involvement of the club President), Avellino, Bologna and Perugia given a 5-point penalty. Among the various players, Enrico Albertosi got a life ban and Paolo Rossi 3 years.
The Lazio fans looked at 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 4 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 managers were involved. The only reason was the fact that first 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 less 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 among clubs, if found guilty, these should be relegated or given point deductions. And if it is between 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 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 could not 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 guided Perugia to an historic second place just a couple of seasons earlier.
Lazio started 1980-81 with the Coppa Italia. In the group stage they were paired with Pescara, Varese, Verona and Ascoli. They won all of the games with the exception of a draw with Ascoli, hence winning their group.
In the first four games of Serie B Lazio had drawn three and beaten Catania. Today was game five.
The match: Sunday, October 12, 1980, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio did what was expected of them at the Olimpico, beating Varese 2–1 and collecting another two points in their attempt to return to Serie A. It was, however, far from an impressive performance.
On a wet and heavy pitch, the game was played at a remarkably slow tempo, with neither side appearing particularly eager to take control.
Varese, coached by Eugenio Fascetti, were happy to sit back and allow Lazio to have the ball. The Biancocelesti duly dominated possession, but there was little urgency or imagination in their attacking play. Alberto Bigon tried to organise his teammates and set an example with his work rate, but too many Lazio attacks broke down through misplaced passes or unnecessary individualism.
There was an early warning when Bigon met Nando Viola's free-kick from the left with a diving header that struck the post after only five minutes. Lazio continued to press, but Varese remained compact and looked reasonably comfortable.
The hosts thought they should have had a penalty in the 19th minute when Renzo Garlaschelli went down under a challenge from Giuliano Vincenzi, but referee Rosario Lo Bello waved play on.
Then, almost out of nowhere, Lazio finally broke through. In the 40th minute Viola's corner was punched away by goalkeeper Antonio Rigamonti, even if he could have caught the ball.
Filippo Citterio returned it into the danger area and, after Marco Cecilli and Aldo Cerantola collided, Giuseppe Greco was left with a simple finish from close range.
Lazio struck again just two minutes later. Citterio found a perfect opening for Bigon, who was brought down by Cecilli inside the area.
Citterio took responsibility for the penalty, but Rigamonti guessed correctly and saved his initial effort. The rebound, however, fell straight back to the Lazio defender, who made no mistake at the second attempt to make it 2–0.
The double blow left Varese facing an uphill battle, and Lazio seemed to believe the match was effectively over. The second half became a rather subdued affair, with Castagner's side increasingly content to control the game rather than search for a third goal.
That complacency nearly cost them. Varese began to attack with greater confidence as Lazio's midfield lost some of its earlier authority. The visitors did not create a great deal, but the Biancocelesti defence looked increasingly vulnerable whenever they were put under pressure.
The warning became reality in the 81st minute. Cecilli beat Mauro Manzoni on the right and sent the ball back into the area, where Carlo Tresoldi had been left completely unmarked. He struck a powerful shot beyond Maurizio Moscatelli to reduce the deficit to 2–1.
Suddenly Lazio were no longer comfortable. Varese sensed an opportunity to snatch an unlikely equaliser, while Lazio were forced to defend their slender advantage. Greco hit the post for the second time in the match, although he had clearly started his run from an offside position.
There was one final scare in stoppage time when Maurizio Braghin's free-kick narrowly cleared the crossbar.
Lazio held on for the victory, but it was a performance that offered little to excite the spectators at the Olimpico. Two goals in two minutes had done the damage in the first half, but the Biancocelesti's complacency after the interval almost allowed Varese to snatch a point.
Who played for Lazio
Moscatelli, Spinozzi, Citterio, Perrone, Pochesci, Mastropasqua, Viola, Sanguin (57' Manzoni), Garlaschelli, Bigon, Greco
Manager: Castagner
Who played for Varese
Rigamonti, Vincenzi, Braghin, Brambilla, Cecilli, Cerantola, Turchetta (60' Tresoldi), Tomasoni, Salvadè (38' Doto), Mauti, Di Giovanni
Substitutes: Rampulla, Arrighi, Facchini
Manager: Fascetti
Referee: Lo Bello
Goals: 40’ Greco, 42’ Citterio, 81’ Tresoldi
What happened next
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 Milan, first game of 1981. The Rossoneri easily won 2-0 easily and instilled doubts in the players’ minds. “Perhaps we are not as good as we thought”. After that match they lost at Cesena, drew at Vicenza and at home with Taranto. They were second but with seven teams in four points, it was very tight.
Lazio managed to stay second until mid-April, then Cesena overtook them.
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 top 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.
What happened in Serie B 1980-81
The previous season had seen Como, Pistoiese and Brescia promoted to Serie A and Catanzaro, Udinese and Pescara relegated but the Totonero scandal and the decision of the Sports Court changed things. Going down from Serie A were Pescara plus Milan, who had the president involved in match fixing, and Lazio whose only fault was to have four players allegedly involved in the scandal. Furthermore, Taranto and Palermo were docked five points for this season hence started with -5.
This changed everything for the 1980-81 Serie B. Now there were two greats in Serie B who were obviously hot favourites to go straight back up. Other possible candidates were the Genoese clubs, Verona and Cesena.
September
In the first game in Serie B, Lazio were immediately stopped at home with a draw against Palermo and after the first three games Spal and Milan were leaders. A long way to go though.
Spal 5, Milan 5, Lazio 4, Foggia 4, Pescara 4, Atalanta 4, Sampdoria 4, Vicenza 3, Pisa 3, Genoa 3, Rimini 3, Cesena 2, Monza 2, Verona 2, Bari 2, Varese 2, Catania 2, Lecce 1, Palermo* -2, Taranto* -3
* 5 point docking
October
Lazio began to come to terms with the new reality and went top towards the end of October in the company of Milan. Spal and Sampdoria were only a point behind. Taranto and Palermo overcame their initial deficit.
Lazio 11, Milan 11, Spal 10, Sampdoria 10, Genoa 8, Atalanta 8, Pescara 8, Pisa 8, Bari 7, Foggia 6, Cesena 6, Varese 6, Rimini 6, Verona 5, Taranto* 4, Vicenza 4, Lecce 4, Monza 4, Catania 3, Palermo* 1
* 5 point docking
November
The two rogue clubs went off alone and now led the pack with a four-point lead. They had yet to lose a game.
Lazio 18, Milan 18, Genoa 14, Foggia 14, Sampdoria 14, Cesena 13, Pisa 13, Spal 12, Pescara 12, Rimini 11, Bari 11, Atalanta 11, Lecce 11, Catania 11, Verona 10, Varese 10, Taranto* 8, Vicenza 7, Palermo* 6, Monza 6
* 5 point docking
December
In the first game of the month Milan lost 3-0 at Taranto but Lazio could only muster a 2-2 draw at Monza so now they were solitary leaders but just a point ahead, which became two a week after, when the Biancocelesti beat Pisa and the Rossoneri drew at home with Cesena. Seven days later however Lazio were stopped by Sampdoria and Milan won under the leaning tower, so on the eve of the big match between the top two, the Biancocelesti had a one-point lead.
Lazio 22, Milan 21, Spal 17, Cesena 17, Sampdoria 16, Foggia 16, Genoa 16, Pisa 15, Pescara 14, Atalanta 14, Catania 14, Rimini 13, Verona 13, Bari 13, Lecce 13, Taranto* 12, Palermo* 11, Varese 11, Vicenza 10, Monza 10
* 5 point docking
January
Milan beat Lazio 2-0 at the Olimpico and the Biancocelesti took that defeat badly, losing the next game and then drawing two. The Rossoneri now had a four-point lead. Below there were lots of teams involved in the relegation fight, more than half of Serie B!!!
Milan 28, Lazio 24, Cesena 23, Sampdoria** 22, Genoa 21, Spal 20, Pisa 20, Lecce 20, Foggia 19, Pescara 19, Catania 18, Verona 17, Bari 17, Atalanta 16, Taranto* 15, Palermo* 15, Rimini 15**, Varese 14, Monza 13, Vicenza 12
* 5 point docking
** one game in hand
February
Lazio regained some confidence and by the end of the month Milan’s lead was reduced to three points. Cesena and Sampdoria were battling for third place with the others behind.
Milan 32, Lazio 29, Cesena 27, Sampdoria 26, Spal 23, Genoa 23, Pisa 23, Foggia 22, Pescara 22, Bari 21, Lecce 21, Catania 21, Verona 20, Rimini 20, Atalanta 19, Palermo* 17, Varese 17, Taranto* 16, Monza 16, Vicenza 15
* 5 point docking
March
In the first four games of the month Lazio drew 3 and lost one. They had been caught up by Cesena while Milan now had a five-point lead. But in the last game of the month, Milan fell at Palermo and Lazio won at Rimini, narrowing the gap. Genoa and Spal joined the promotion race as they were only four points behind the Biancocelesti. In the fight to avoid Serie C, the -5 start was taking its toll on Taranto and Palermo who had fallen back a bit.
Milan 37, Lazio 34, Cesena 33, Sampdoria 32, Genoa 30, Spal 30, Pisa 27, Pescara 27, Foggia 26, Verona 25, Bari 25, Catania 25, Rimini 24, Atalanta 24, Lecce 24, Varese 23, Vicenza 22, Taranto* 21, Palermo* 21, Monza 20
* 5 point docking
April
Cesena overtook Lazio in April with the Biancocelesti losing at Bari and then drawing with Lecce and Genoa. There were seven games left and Milan with a six-point lead over fourth place had a foot and a half in Serie A. Five teams for the other two places. Below Monza were in trouble but there was still half of Serie B who could potentially be relegated.
Milan 43, Cesena 40, Lazio 38, Genoa 37, Sampdoria 36, Pescara 33, Pisa 32, Spal 31, Catania 30, Verona 29, Rimini 29, Foggia 29, Bari 29, Lecce 27, Vicenza 26, Taranto* 25, Palermo* 25, Atalanta 25, Varese 25, Monza 21
* 5 point docking
May
While Milan and Cesena continued in first and second place, Lazio and Genoa had managed to obtain a slight advantage. Then came Lazio Sampdoria where an incredibly clear penalty was not given to the Biancocelesti. On a corner, Samp forward Gianluca De Ponti dived towards the ball and visibly handballed it. But Lazio were not given the penalty and ended up losing the game. The week later the Biancocelesti drew away with Milan and were caught up by Genoa.
Milan 47, Cesena 44, Lazio 42, Genoa 42, Sampdoria 40, Pisa 37, Pescara 36, Catania 35, Rimini 34, Foggia 34, Spal 33, Verona 32, Bari 32, Lecce 32, Palermo* 30, Varese 30, Vicenza 30, Atalanta 29, Taranto* 28, Monza 23
* 5 point docking
June
Final three games. In the first of the month Lazio beat Cesena at home and Genoa also won hence there were three teams on 44 points in second place with due games left. Milan needed just one point to go back to Serie A and in the penultimate match they beat Monza.
Genoa won away at Atalanta and Cesena did the same at Foggia. Lazio instead struggled at home against Vicenza. They fell behind, managed to equalise and had a penalty in the last second which they missed. With one match to the end Genoa and Cesena were on 46 points, Lazio on 45. In the last match they both won, the Biancocelesti drew at Taranto and were forced to another year of Serie B.
With one game to go, Monza and Taranto were relegated, Atalanta were on 30 points, Vicenza 31 and Varese 32. Varese won their last game against Pisa 4-0 so it was Vicenza and Taranto to go down to Serie C.
Top scorer was Roberto Antonelli (Milan) with 15 goals.
Final Table: Milan 50, Genoa 48, Cesena 48, Lazio 46, Sampdoria 43, Pescara 41, Pisa 39, Bari 37, Rimini 36, Foggia 36, Lecce 36, Spal 35, Catania 35, Palermo* 34, Varese 34, Verona 34, Vicenza 33, Taranto* 30, Atalanta 30, Monza 25
* 5 point docking
Source
Comments