October 6, 1974: Lazio Cesena 2-1
- Simon Basten
- Oct 6
- 9 min read
Chinaglia Leads Lazio to Winning Start in Scudetto Defence
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Chinaglia strikes as Lazio open with a win.
Also on this day:
The season so far
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The previous season Lazio had triumphantly won the scudetto. A fantastic campionato where once the Biancocelesti reached the top of the table in winter they never let go. It was going to be difficult to repeat the previous year. In the summer transfer window, President Umberto Lenzini refused to sell any of the first eleven players despite attempts from Torino to sign Luciano Re Cecconi and Milan with Giorgio Chinaglia. There were only some minor movements with the arrival of Roberto Badiani from Sampdoria and Pietro Ghedin in the autumn window from Fiorentina. Leaving Lazio were Pierpaolo Manservisi (Mantova), Ferruccio Mazzola (Sant’Angelo), Mario Facco (Avellino), Fausto Inselvini and the loan of Sergio Borgo to Foggia.
The Biancocelesti started the season with the Coppa Italia. But it was a disappointment. They drew first away against Atalanta then at home with Genoa, only to lose the next two matches against Pescara and Roma. Not a good start.
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Today was however the first Serie A fixture. There was hope for a better performance.
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The match: Sunday, October 6, 1974, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio began the defence of their first-ever Scudetto in assured fashion, defeating Cesena 2–1 before a jubilant Stadio Olimpico crowd, the Biancocelesti playing for the first time in their 74-year history with the tricolour badge proudly stitched upon their shirts.
Before the kick-off, skipper Pino Wilson hoisted the championship trophy aloft to warm applause, a reminder of last season’s triumph under Tommaso Maestrelli. The manager retained the backbone of his title-winning side, making only one change — new signing Roberto Badiani stepping in for Vincenzo D’Amico.
The home side were quickly into their stride, though Cesena, far from overawed, met them head-on. In the 20th minute, a swift break saw Giorgio Chinaglia thunder a shot against the crossbar, moments after Martini had grazed the upright with a crisp effort. At the other end, Giuliano Bertarelli — the visitors’ outstanding performer — twice tested Felice Pulici, the Lazio goalkeeper saving smartly on both occasions.
The breakthrough arrived in the 25th minute. Luciano Re Cecconi slipped a low ball into Chinaglia’s path and the centre-forward, having outpaced Paolo Ammoniaci, struck first time beyond Lamberto Boranga. With the lead secured, Lazio began to flow, hemming the Romagnoli side into their own half.
A defensive lapse on 31 minutes almost cost Cesena dearly when a wayward back-pass fell to Renzo Garlaschelli, whose audacious lob from 30 yards crashed against the top of the crossbar. The second goal did come before the interval: Chinaglia’s free kick dropped to Sergio Petrelli, who controlled on his chest and drove the ball home from close range.
At 2–0, the champions looked set to run away with it. But injuries to Wilson and Petrelli early in the second half slowed the tempo, and Cesena seized their chance. In the 51st minute, Giampiero Ceccarelli’s cross from the right was met by Bertarelli’s well-placed header to halve the deficit.
The visitors might have drawn level when Giorgio Rognoni broke free of Wilson’s attentions and bore down on goal, only for Pulici to save bravely at his feet. Battista Festa also came close, but again the Lazio goalkeeper proved equal to the task.
Chinaglia, a constant threat, was denied a third by Boranga late on after being set up by the restored D’Amico, who had replaced Franco Nanni in the 74th minute.
The result keeps Lazio level with the early pace-setters, especially as Juventus and Inter both suffered shock defeats, Milan were held at home, and only Napoli among the heavyweights claimed victory. For the champions, it was a performance that recalled the best of last season — disciplined at the back, inventive in midfield, and always dangerous through Chinaglia’s finishing touch.
Who played for Lazio
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Pulici, Petrelli, Martini, Wilson, Oddi, Nanni (75’ D’Amico), Garlaschelli, Re Cecconi, Chinaglia, Frustalupi, Badiani
Manager: Maestrelli
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Who played for Cesena
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Boranga, Ceccarelli, Ammoniaci, Festa, Danova, Cera, Orlandi (46' Catania), Brignani, Bertarelli, Rognoni, Toschi
Substitues: Moscatelli, Zaniboni
Manager: Bersellini
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Referee: Trono
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Goals: 25’ Chinaglia, 45’ Petrelli, 51’ Bertarelli
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What happened next
In Serie A, the Biancocelesti started well winning the first three games, but then they lost the lead with two points in the next three. By the end of the year they were second, three points behind Juventus. The first match of 1975 was Lazio vs Juve and the Biancocelesti won but the three-point deficit was re-established at the end of the first half of the season with a loss at Ascoli.
The three-point gap stayed until the end of February. Two points in the next four games meant that Lazio dropped to fourth place, -6 from the Bianconeri.
After winning at Bologna, the team were told that Tommaso Maestrelli had cancer and at that point the players lost interest in Serie A. With three games to the end of the season the Biancocelesti were fifth but they managed to pick up in the final games and reach fourth place which meant a UEFA Cup qualification.
Lazio finished fourth qualifying for the UEFA Cup. The big question was who was going to substitute Tommaso Maestrelli?
Giancarlo Oddi, Giorgio Chinaglia, Pino Wilson and Felice Pulici had the most appearances (34), Chinaglia was the top scorer with 14 goals.
What happened in Serie A 1974-75
After the previous season the top teams went through a number of revolutions to counterbalance the magnificent Lazio of the past couple of years. Milan chose Gustavo Giagnoni as manager and signed Egidio Calloni, Juventus chose Carlo Parola as head coach and acquired the services of Oscar Damiani and young Gaetano Scirea. Inter also changed managers and gave the keys to the team to former glory Luis Suarez, Napoli signed Tarcisio Burnich and Giusppe Massa.
Lazio basically kept the same team with the exception of Roberto Badiani from Sampdoria. They were among the favourites but were they still as hungry after winning the biggest prize of all last year?
August & September
In the first leg of the Cup Winners Cup first round, Bologna lost 2-1 away to Gwardia Warszawa. In the UEFA Cup, Inter drew their first leg with Etar away, Napoli beat Videoton 2-0, Juventus lost away to Vorwarts Frankfurt 2-1 and Torino drew 1-1 at home with Fortuna Dusseldorf.
Lazio were unable to play the European Cup after a year ban.
The Coppa Italia first group phase took place between the end of August and September. The teams that qualified for the second phase were Inter, Napoli, Juventus, Torino, Roma (eliminating Lazio), Milan and Fiorentina. They would be joined by Bologna who won the previous edition.
October
Lazio started well, winning the first three games and then drawing at Terni. Juventus beat Milan at home.
Bologna were eliminated in the Cup Winners Cup. They lost on penalties against Gwardia Warszawa. In the second leg of the first round of the UEFA Cup, Inter crushed Etar 3-0, Napoli drew with Videoton and Juve beat Vorwarts Frankfurt 3-0. All three qualified for the second round. Torino were instead eliminated by Fortuna Dusseldorf 4-2 on aggregate. In the first leg of the second round Juve won 4-2 away to Hibernian, Inter lost at home against F.C Amsterdam and Napoli beat Porto at home 1-0.
Lazio 7, Napoli 6, Fiorentina 6, Juventus 5, Torino 5, Bologna 5, Inter 4, Varese 4, Milan 4, Cagliari 4, Sampdoria 4, Cesena 3, Vicenza 3, Ascoli 2, Roma 1, Ternana 1
November
Lazio lost at home to Inter and were caught up by several teams. Juve and Bologna took the lead but then the Rossoblu were beaten at home by Torino, and Juve, having won at home against Roma, were all alone at the top. The Milan derby ended in a draw.
In the second leg of the UEFA Cup’s second round, Juventus demolished Hibernian 4-0 and Napoli won in Porto 1-0. Both qualified for the third round. Inter were instead eliminated by F.C Amsterdam after a goalless draw away. In the first leg of the third round, Napoli lost at home to Banik Ostrava and Juve beat Ajax 1-0.
Juventus 11, Lazio 10, Torino 10, Napoli 9, Fiorentina 9, Milan 9, Bologna 9, Inter 8, Cagliari 6, Cesena 5, Vicenza 5, Varese 5, Sampdoria 5, Ternana 4, Roma 4, Ascoli 3
December
Juventus consolidated their lead as they beat Inter and Lazio lost the derby. The Bianconeri then drew their clash with Torino as did Lazio.
In the UEFA Cup Juventus eliminated Ajax on away goals thanks to Oscar Damiani’s goal in Amsterdam in the Bianconeri’s 2-1 defeat. Napoli were instead eliminated by Banik Ostrava after drawing 1-1.
Juventus 18, Lazio 15, Milan 14, Torino 14, Napoli 13, Fiorentina 13, Inter 12, Roma 12, Bologna 11, Varese 9, Vicenza 9, Sampdoria 8, Ternana 7, Cesena 7, Cagliari 7, Ascoli 7
January
In the first group of games of the year Lazio won the crucial match against Juventus and moved to within one point but threw everything away in a terrible defeat at Ascoli, last, so the Bianconeri regained the three-point lead.
Juventus 23, Lazio 20, Roma 19, Napoli 18, Milan 18, Torino 18, Inter 17, Bologna 17, Fiorentina 15, Cesena 13, Sampdoria 12, Cagliari 11, Ternana 10, Vicenza 10, Varese 10, Ascoli 9
February
Still a three-point gap between Juventus and Lazio. The Biancocelesti were unable to grasp the opportunity of a Juve goalless draw at Ascoli since they too were held to a goalless draw at home vs Ternana. The Bianconeri won in Milan. At the bottom, seven teams in four points.
Juventus 29, Lazio 26, Torino 25, Napoli 24, Milan 22, Roma 22, Bologna 22, Inter 21, Fiorentina 19, Cesena 16, Cagliari 16, Ternana 13, Ascoli 13, Vicenza 12, Varese 12, Sampdoria 12
March
Lazio lost in Milan against Inter as well as the derby and were overtaken in second place by Napoli. Juventus however slowed down and were beaten by Torino in their derby. In the relegation battle Varese were in difficulty and now the seven clubs were within six points of each other with six games to the end.
Juventus qualified for the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup. In the quarter finals they beat SV Hamburger 2-0 on aggregate after winning at home and a goalless draw in Germany.
Juventus 34, Napoli 32, Lazio 30, Roma 30, Torino 29, Milan 27, Bologna 26, Fiorentina 24, Inter 24, Cagliari 21, Cesena 20, Ascoli 19, Ternana 18, Sampdoria 18, Vicenza 17, Varese 15
April
Just before the home game against Torino, the Lazio players were told that their beloved manager Tommaso Maestrelli had cancer. The Biancocelesti lost focus and were thrashed. That same Sunday Juve beat Napoli and now the lead was four points. Juve also beat Lazio pushing them further down. Varese were in Serie B, Vicenza and Ternana almost.
No UEFA Cup final for Juventus. They were eliminated by Twente 4-1 on aggregate, losing both games.
Juventus 39, Napoli 36, Roma 34, Torino 33, Lazio 32, Milan 31, Bologna 29, Fiorentina 27, Inter 27, Cagliari 23, Cesena 23, Ascoli 22, Sampdoria 22, Vicenza 19, Ternana 19, Varese 16
May
With two games to the end of the campionato Juve needed just one point to win the scudetto but they lost in Florence and Napoli closed the gap to two points. In the final match against Vicenza the Bianconeri scored 5 securing their 16th title.
Relegation was decided in the penultimate game with Vicenza and Ternana joining Varese in Serie B.
Coming into the final game the only issue to decide was who would play the UEFA Cup the following season. Napoli and Roma had secured their qualification, Lazio were on 35 points, Milan and Torino on 34. The Biancocelesti and Rossoneri won their last game, Torino did not. The only change could come if Milan, Napoli or Roma were to win the Coppa Italia.
Paolo Pulici (Torino) was top scorer with 18 goals.
Perugia, Como and Verona were promoted to Serie A.
The Coppa Italia second group phase took place between the end of May and June. In the first group, made up of Fiorentina, Torino, Napoli and Roma, after the first two games Napoli were first with three points, Torino and Fiorentina second on 2 and Roma last on 1. In the second group, which included Milan, Juventus, Inter and Bologna, the Rossoneri were first on 4 points having beaten both Inter and Juventus who were on two points whereas Bologna had lost both games. The top two teams would go on to play the final.
Final Table: Juventus 43, Napoli 41, Roma 39, Lazio 37, Milan 36, Torino 35, Bologna 32, Fiorentina 31, Inter 30, Cagliari 26, Cesena 25, Ascoli 24, Sampdoria 24, Vicenza 21, Ternana 19, Varese 17
June
Coming into the final game of Group A of the Coppa Italia second group phase, Torino were leading with 7 points having just beaten Fiorentina who were at 6. Roma, on 4 and Napoli, on 3, were out of contention. However, the Neapolitans in the final game beat Torino allowing Fiorentina, who drew 2-2 in Rome, to reach the final.
In Group B Milan continued to dominate after beating Juve 1-0 and drawing the return derby. The win in Bologna allowed them to reach the final with one game to spare.
The final took place in Rome on June 25. Fiorentina won 3-2 despite Milan equalising twice. It was their fourth Coppa Italia win.
As a consequence, the Viola would be playing the Cup Winners Cup next season and no changes for the teams that qualified for the UEFA Cup.
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