All square, even Giordano vs Rossi
A fair draw as Bruno-gol answers future Pablito's penalty
The season so far
Lazio had finished a respectable 8th the previous season, under Roberto "Bob" Lovati. Bruno Giordano had been top Serie A scorer with 19 goals and 21 in total.
This year Lovati had kept his place. There were some changes to the squad. The main new signings were: defender Filippo Citterio (Palermo), midfielders Maurizio Montesi (Avellino- back from loan), Vincenzo Zucchini (Pescara) and young forward Enrico Todesco (Como).
The players leaving were: defenders Paolo Ammoniaci (Palermo), Pietro Ghedin (Pescara-on loan), scudetto legend Gigi Martini (Chicago Sting), Andrea Agostinelli (Napoli-on loan), midfielders Roberto Badiani (Napoli-on loan), Franco Cordova (Avellino), Massimo de Stefanis (Palermo) and forward Aldo Cantarutti (Pisa).
On paper it looked as if Lazio had not come out strengthened by the transfer market, far from it.
So far, the Biancocelesti had played three league games and had won one (Fiorentina 2-0 at home), drawn one (Avellino 0-0 away) and lost one (Inter 1-2 away).
In August and September Lazio had got through the first Coppa Italia group phase against Matera 5-0, Brescia 2-0, Pistoiese 2-1 and Udinese 0-0. They would now play Torino home and away in November and January in the quarter-finals.
Perugia had a fantastic season in 78-79 finishing 2nd behind Milan. They had future Lazio manager Ilario Castagner and had gone the whole season unbeaten in the league.
This year Castagner was confirmed and the "Grifoni" (The Griffins) had added young prolific striker Paolo Rossi from Vicenza.
So far, the Umbri had drawn two (Catanzaro 0-0 at home, Bologna 1-1 away) and won one (the most recent, Udinese 2-0).
In Coppa Italia the Biancorossi were eliminated in a group with: Bari 0-0, Roma 0-1, Ascoli 0-0 and Sampdoria 1-0.
In the UEFA Cup Perugia had got through the first round defeating Dinamo Zagreb 1-0 on aggregate and would play Aris Thessaloniki in October and November.
Today was an open game but it was seen above all as a challenge between up and coming strikers Bruno Giordano and Paolo Rossi.
The match: Sunday, October 7, 1979, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
It was a hot "Ottobrata" in Rome, the famously sunny October days in Rome. The game against the previous season's sensation Perugia attracted a 50,000 crowd.
The game was entertaining and non-tactical from the start. Both teams had chances to go in front. Perugia had a Rossi header go over the bar and another saved into corner by Massimo Cacciatori while Lazio went even closer when a Perugia defender sliced a ball onto his own post and then Giordano headed the close-range header high.
The score line changed in the 40th minute. Perugia set off on a counter attack and the ball reached future "Pablito", on the left side inside the box, pushed the ball towards the by-line but was fouled by Lionello Manfredonia. A penalty which Rossi took and scored, wrong footing Cacciatori with a low shot to the right. Lazio 0 Perugia 1.
Halftime came with the Umbri ahead but it had been an extremely even sided game.
The second half was equally balanced but Lazio attacked more looking to avoid defeat. In the 61st minute a piece of Giordano magic gave them what they needed. He took a throw-in and about 30 metres out and, after receiving the ball back, cut in towards the area from the right, stopped and then let off a powerful right-footed strike which sneaked in on Malizia's near post. The keeper may also have been deceived by Fernando Viola, impairing his view. Lazio 1 Perugia 1.
The game could still have gone either way with more chances. The two goalkeepers were safe and shooting imprecise so in the end both sides had to settle for a draw. Final score Lazio 1 Perugia 1.
A fair result in the end. Lazio played well and held their own against highly rated opposition. Perugia had earned an away point and extended their unbeaten run to 35 games. The duel between Giordano and Rossi had been won by the Roman, at least on points, as he had played better and been more dangerous.
Who played for Lazio
Cacciatori, Tassotti, Citterio, Wilson, Manfredonia, Zucchini, Garlaschelli, Montesi, Giordano, D'Amico, Viola
Substitutes: Avagliano, A. Lopez, Todesco
Manager: Lovati
Who played for Perugia
Malizia, Nappi, Ceccarini, Frosio, Della Martira, Dal Fiume, Goretti, Butti (74' Tacconi), Rossi, Casarsa, Bagni
Substitutes: Mancini, Calloni
Manager: Castagner
Referee: Bergamo
Goals: 41' Rossi (pen.), 61' Giordano
What happened next
There were no signs on this pleasant October day but 1979-80 would turn out to be Lazio's "annus horribilis".
Firstly, three weeks later a Lazio fan, Vincenzo Paparelli, was killed inside the stadium before a local derby. A nautical flare was fired from the Roma end and, after having crossed the entire pitch, entered the Curva Nord tragically hitting 33- year-old and father of two Paparelli, in the eye. He died on the way to hospital. I came into the Curva soon after the event and hearing of the incident and sensing the inevitably sombre, tense atmosphere my father decided to take my brother and I home. A huge tragedy. The game went ahead to avoid further crowd trouble and ended in a 1-1 of convenience.
On the pitch things were not going too badly until another disaster struck. By March Lazio were having an average season despite beating Juventus but then, on March 23, four Lazio players were arrested after a defeat at Pescara. The players were Giordano, Manfredonia, Pino Wilson and Cacciatori and they were accused of being involved in the "Totonero" (betting scandal). Lazio managed to avoid relegation thanks to Vincenzo D'Amico leading a team full of youth players to victory over Catanzaro but then Lazio were punished for their players' alleged involvement in the scandal and relegated anyway, along with Milan. Lazio won 5, drew 15 and lost 10.
In Coppa Italia Lazio were eliminated in the quarters by Torino on penalties. Top scorer was Giordano with 9 league goals.
Giordano and Manfredonia would not play again until 1982 and only because of the World Cup winning armistice. Lazio would spend three years in the purgatory of Serie B and only get promoted in 1982-83 (with the help of Giordano and Manfredonia).
Perugia did not repeat the previous season's miracle. Their unbeaten run ended on October 28 (same day as Paparelli tragedy) against Torino. Then Perugia too were implicated in the "Totonero" with three players: Mauro Della Martira, Luciano Zecchini and Paolo Rossi. They too were banned for five, three and two years respectively. Rossi of course came back in time to become the hero of Italy's 1982 World Cup triumph in Spain with 6 goals. Perugia finished 7th but were docked 5 points for the next season. They won 9 (including Roma 3-1, Juventus 1-0), drew 12 (including Lazio 0-0) and lost 9. There was the feeling however that the Perugia fairy tale was over.
In the UEFA Cup the Biancorossi were eliminated by Aris Thessaloniki 1-4 on aggregate. Top scorer was Rossi with 14 goals (13 in league).
Lazio 1979-80
Competition | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals Scored |
Serie A | 30 | 5 | 15 | 10 | 21 |
Coppa Italia | 6 | 3 | 3 | - | 9 |
Total | 36 | 8 | 18 | 10 | 30 |
Top five appearances
Player | Total | Serie A | Coppa Italia |
Citterio | 36 | 30 | 6 |
D'Amico | 33 | 28 | 5 |
Viola | 33 | 28 | 5 |
Tassotti | 32 | 27 | 5 |
Zucchini | 30 | 25 | 5 |
Cacciatori | 30 | 24 | 6 |
Top goal scorers
Player | Total | Serie A | Coppa Italia |
Giordano | 12 | 9 | 3 |
D'Amico | 5 | 4 | 1 |
Garlaschelli | 5 | 2 | 3 |
Zucchini | 5 | 4 | 1 |
Let's talk about Filippo Citterio
Filippo Citterio was born in Giussano (Monza), on November 17, 1955.
At 14 he joined local Vis Nova Giussano youth teams and stayed with the "Lucertole" (The Lizards) until he was almost 18.
He then joined Seregno (Monza) in Serie C. He stayed one season, the "Spartani" finished 6th and he played 36 league games with one goal.
In 1974-75 he moved to A.C Milan. The manager was Gustavo Giagnoni and Citterio played 1 league game and 4 in Coppa Italia. The Rossoneri finished 5th and were losing finalists in the Coppa Italia (Fiorentina 2-3).
In 1975-76 he moved to Sicily and more specifically Palermo in Serie B. He stayed four seasons with 11th, 12th, 6th and 7th places. His managers were Benigno De Grandi, Antonio De Bellis, Giuseppe Grassotti and Fernando Veneranda for two full seasons. Citterio played 129 games with 2 goals.
In 1979 he joined Lazio. The manager was Bob Lovati and Citterio had a good season playing every league game (30) with 1 goal (winner against Torino) and 6 in Coppa Italia. The same could not be said for Lazio who narrowly avoided relegation on the pitch but then were sent down for some of their players' involvement in the "Totonero" betting scandal. It was also the season of Vincenzo Paparelli's death, the Lazio fan killed by a flare shot from the Roma end before a derby.
Citterio stayed on in Serie B under new manager Ilario Castagner. Lazio just missed out on promotion finishing 4th, also due to a crucial penalty miss by Roberto Chiodi (who had never missed a penalty). Citterio had another positive season playing 38 league games with 6 goals (Catania, Varese, Atalanta, Monza, Pisa, Taranto) and 5 in Coppa Italia with 1 goal (Varese).
In 1981 Citterio moved down to Naples but back up to Serie A. The manager was former Lazio player Rino Marchesi and the Partenopei finished 4th. He played 21 league games with 2 goals (Como and winner vs Roma), 6 in Coppa Italia and 2 in the UEFA Cup. He played with future Lazio, Raimondo Marino, Claudio Vinazzani and Oscar Damiani.
The following year former Lazio player Massimo Giacomini was manager but was replaced in November by the duo Bruno Pesaola - Gennaro Rambone. The Azzurri finished 10th and Citterio played 24 league games, 7 in Coppa Italia and 3 in the UEFA Cup.
In 1983 he moved to Le Marche and signed for Ascoli in Serie A. The first year went well under Carlo Mazzone, the "Picchio" (The Woodpecker) finished 10th. Citterio played 18 league games and 6 in Coppa Italia. In the squad were Paolo Pochesci, Carlo Perrone and Giuseppe Greco, all former Lazio.
The second season was difficult. Mazzone was sacked after seven matches and replaced by Mario Colautti (with Vujadin Boskov as TD). The Piceni finished 14th and were relegated, winning only 4 league games all season. Citterio only played 8 league games. One of his teammates was former Lazio Aldo Cantarutti.
In 1985 he joined Cremonese in Serie B. He stayed five seasons under Emiliano Mondonico, Bruno Mazzia for three seasons and finally Tarcisio Burgnich. The" Violini" (The Violins) finished 9th, 5th, 6th, 4th (promoted to A after playoff) and 17th (relegated). Citterio played 165 league games with 6 goals. He played alongside many future Laziali; Attilio Lombardo, Giuseppe Favalli, Mauro Bonomi, Dario Marcolin and former player Gustavo Dezotti
His last team was still in Lombardy but was Brescia in Serie B. The managers were Bruno Mazzia (1-3) and Bruno Bolchi (4-38) and the "Leonessa" finished 9th. Citterio played 30 league games. He was in squad with Lazio connections Luca Luzardi, Luciano De Paola and Marco Piovanelli.
The final professional year, under Adelio Moro (Mircea Lucescu TD), ended on a high and the "Rondinelle" (Little Swallows) won the league and were promoted to Serie A. Citterio however, despite being in the squad, made no appearances.
He retired at 36 and went straight into coaching. He spent three years in the Cremonese youth sector, a year with his original home club Vis Nova, a short spell with SüdTirol-Alto Adige, two years with Mariano (Como), a year with Seregno (Bergamo), another season with Vis Nova, three years with Molinello (Monza) and a year with Nibionno (Lecco).
Since 2010 he has concentrated more on running Sports Academies (Mariano Comense) and in 2015 he opened a new Football Academy called Palaextra Sport Academy in Mariano Comense (Como) where he is Technical Director. A grass roots man rather than in top professional football.
As a player he was a left fullback. He is 1.88 and 80 kilos, so was a strong defender. He was particularly good going forward, often helping the offensive moves. He had good athleticism and technique. He played 129 games in Serie A
He played 79 games for Lazio. He was a popular player and the fans were sad to see him leave. He was unlucky with his timing at Lazio, arriving at one of the many difficult periods in their history.
Lazio Career
Season | Total appearances (goals) | Serie A | Serie B | Coppa Italia |
1979-80 | 36 (1) | 30 (1) | - | 6 |
1980-81 | 43 (7) | - | 38 (6) | 5 (1) |
Total | 79 (8) | 30 (1) | 38 (6) | 11 (1) |
Sources