October 9, 1988: Cesena-Lazio 0-0

Dag Jenkins
Oct 9
8 min read

A point each to start

A goalless draw which gets the point tally moving on the long road to survival

Also on this day:

October 9, 1983: Sampdoria Lazio 1-1. A goal down after 40 seconds and after hosts having several more chances, Lazio rescue draw with a Giordano penalty.
October 9, 1960: Lazio Napoli 1-1. Lazio score five minutes from time but controversial freekick gives visitors immediate equaliser.

The season so far

The previous year Lazio had finally won promotion back to Serie A. In a packed Olimpico, already under renovation for Italia '90, Lazio had beaten Taranto 3-1 to book their place back in the big time.

The new season started with a new manager. The -9-point deduction and promotion hero Eugenio Fascetti had left and in had come Giuseppe Materazzi.

The Biancocelesti’s promotion top scorer Paolo Monelli (13 goals) had also gone (Bari) along with midfielders Vincenzo Esposito (Atalanta) and Domenico Caso (Latina) while loaned forward Giuseppe Galderisi had returned to his original club (Milan) after a disappointing spell.

Lazio fans were very sad to see Fascetti leave and he would never be forgotten but they also had reasons to be optimistic. Lazio were out of the purgatory of Serie B and had bought some interesting players.

Three South-Americans for a start: relatively unknown (pre-internet days) defender Nelson Gutierrez (River Plate) and Abel Dezotti (Newell's Old Boys) plus better known and promising forward Ruben Sosa (Real Zaragoza). Lazio had also signed some Italians: defender Marco Monti (Virescit Bergamo) plus midfielders Andrea Icardi (Atalanta) and Claudio Sclosa (Pisa).

Lazio’s objective this season was to enjoy their new elite status and hopefully not have to suffer excessively to maintain it.

The season started late this year and this was Lazio's debut and first Serie A game for three and a half years.

Lazio had however already played in the first two rounds of Coppa Italia in August-September. In the first-round group stage they had won 3 (Licata 3-0, Campobasso 2-0 at home and Messina 4-3 away) and lost 2 (Pescara 1-2 on debut and Milan 1-2, both away). They qualified for the second-round group stage where they won 2 (Fiorentina 1-0 at home and Udinese 1-0 away) and drew 1 (Inter 1-1 at home) and were surprisingly through to the quarterfinals to be played in January against Atalanta. A promising start by the Biancocelesti.

Today's opposition Cesena had finished 9th in Serie A the previous season. The manager was former Lazio player Alberto Bigon and top scorer was Ruggiero Rizzitelli with 9 goals (5 in A). The squad also included former Lazio, Dario Sanguin.

This season the manager was still Bigon but the Bianconeri had been quite busy on the transfer market. The new signings included: defenders Enzo Gelain (Empoli), Roberto Chiti (Pisa - on loan), Fabio Calcaterra (Inter), midfielders Sergio Domini (Roma), Bruno Limido (Atalanta via Lecce), Odoacre Chierico (Udinese), Adriano Piraccini (Inter but former Cesena) plus forwards Massimo Agostini (Roma but former Cesena) and Hans Holmqvist (Young Boys).

The main players leaving were: defenders Michele Armenise (Bari) and Giampaolo Ceramicola (Ancona), midfielders Alberto Cavasin (Padova), Dario Sanguin (Modena), Alessandro Bianchi (Inter), Giuseppe Lorenzo (Bologna), Agostino Di Bartolomei (Salernitana) plus forwards Ruggiero Rizzitelli (Roma) and Giuseppe Angelini (Padova - on loan).

In the summer Coppa Italia the Seahorses had been eliminated in the 2nd round. In the first they had won 2 (Udinese 1-0 and Foggia 3-1 at home), drawn 1 (Catanzaro 1-1 away) and lost 2 (Torino and Triestina both 0-1 away) but qualified. In the 2nd round they had won 1 (Modena 4-1 at home), drawn 1 (Lecce 1-1 at home) and lost 1 (Napoli 0-2 away) and were out.

A difficult game to predict today. Cesena had done well the previous season but Lazio were full of enthusiasm following their return to the top flight.

The match: Sunday, October 9, 1988, Stadio Dino Manuzzi, Cesena

A bright and warm day brought just under 20,000 spectators to the Manuzzi, in La Fiorita area of town and named after Dino Manuzzi, the Cesena president from 1964 to 1980. Today was the first game in the renovated stadium.

Cesena were missing midfielder Odoacre Chierico while Lazio were without Uruguayan defender Nelson Gutierrez plus Antonio Elia Acerbis and surprisingly played debutant Marco Monti at full-back rather than Raimondo Marino.

The first chance was for the locals as in the 3rd minute Massimo Agostini hit the side netting following a scramble in the Lazio area.

The game was played mainly in midfield with little goal action. In the 18th minute Rubén Sosa was almost clear on goal but he was anticipated by former Lazio, Fabio Calcaterra. Two minutes later Sosa had a free kick comfortably saved by Sebastiano Rossi.

Hans Holmqvist had a shot deflected into corner and then in the 38th minute the Bianconeri appealed for a penalty when Angelo Gregucci tackled Agostini from behind just as the "Condor" was about to shoot. The referee however waved for the striker to get up and continue.

Towards the end of the half Lazio had two good chances to take the lead. In the 43rd minute Abel Dezotti was put in front of goal by a Sosa high cross but blasted his volley over the bar. One minute later Paolo Di Canio had a double opportunity but his first attempt was walled by Agatino Cuttone and on the rebound the lad from Quarticciolo fired high. Half time Cesena Lazio 0-0.

A balanced 45 minutes with Lazio slightly superior and with the better chances.

The first twenty minutes after the break were very blocked with neither side getting the upper hand.

In the 69th minute Pasquale Traini, who had literally just come on for a disappointing Holmqvist, found an inviting ball near the penalty spot but was unable to hit the target.

In the 72nd minute it was Lazio's turn to request a penalty when Gregucci was seemingly pulled down by Jovic but this time too, the man in black was not convinced.

Lazio appeared pleased with a point and in the 82nd minute replaced midfielder Claudio Sclosa with defender Marino.

The Seahorses however had one more opportunity to snatch both points but in the 85th minute Traini, perfectly teed up by Sergio Domini after a defensive error, hammered over the bar from a very favourable position.

There was still time for one last substitution as in the 88th minute Lazio changed forward from Dezotti to Tonino Rizzolo, probably more to let precious seconds pass than for tactical reasons. Final score Cesena 0 Lazio 0.

A fair result in the end. By no means a spectacular game but both sides could be satisfied with a draw to get the point tally rolling on the long and winding road to survival.

Who played for Cesena

S.Rossi, Cuttone, Limido, Bordin, Calcaterra, Jozić, Agostini, Leoni, Piraccini, Domini, Holmqvist (69' Traini)

Substitutes: Albioni, Flamigni, Chiti, Masolini

Manager: Bigon

Who played for Lazio

Martina, Monti, Beruatto, Pin, Gregucci, Piscedda, Dezotti (88' Rizzolo), Icardi, Di Canio, Sclosa (82' Marino), Sosa

Substitutes: Fiori, Muro, Greco

Manager: Materazzi

Referee: Amendolia

What happened next

Lazio finished 11th on 29 points. This habit of drawing matches would become a prerogative over the season. They were unbeaten until the 4^th of December (Atalanta) but with only one win. In the end the Biancocelesti won 5, drew 19 and lost 10. The highlight was defeating Roma on January 15 with a goal by Lazio fan Paolo Di Canio. It was Lazio's first derby win for ten years. The top scorer was Ruben Sosa with 12 goals (8 in A). A decent first year back in A with a memorable "stracittadina" triumph.

In Coppa Italia Lazio were eliminated by Atalanta 3-4 on aggregate.

Cesena finished 10th, also on 29 points. After today the Romagnoli won 8 (including Milan 1-0), drew 12 (including Juventus 2-2, Milan and Lazio 0-0 all away) and lost 13. The top scorer was Agostini with 12 goals (11 in A).

The scudetto was won by Trapattoni's record breaking Inter. The four relegated teams were Como, Pisa, Pescara and Torino. The Coppa Italia was won by Sampdoria for the 3rd time (Napoli 4-1 on aggregate).

Let's talk about Alfonso Greco

Alfonso Greco was born in Rome, on May 19, 1969

He grew up in the Lazio academy and in 1987 won the Primavera Scudetto (U19s).

In 1988 he joined the first team squad. Lazio were back in Serie A and the manager was Giuseppe Materazzi. Greco played 11 league games and 2 in Coppa Italia. He made his debut on January 15 1989 in the 1-0 triumph over Roma, coming on in the last minute. His first start came on February 5 in an away game to Sampdoria. Lazio finished 11th.

The following year he signed for Cagliari in Serie B. He stayed three seasons, winning promotion in the first and then 14th and 14th. His managers were Claudio Ranieri for two seasons, then Massimo Giacomini and Carlo Mazzone. His teammates included Lazio connections; Mario Ielpo, Luciano De Paola and Pino Wilson's son James. Greco played 30 league games but almost all in the first year (22) as he then suffered a serious injury towards the end of the season

In 1992-93 Greco spent a season with Catania in Serie C1. The Etnei finished 8th under Salvatore Bianchetti. Greco played 29 league games with 2 goals (Ischia Isolaverde, Barletta). His teammates included former Lazio, Giancarlo Marini.

In 1993-94 he was with Cosenza in Serie B. The Lupi finished 13th under Fausto Silipo but Greco made no appearances. His teammates included a young Stefano Fiore (Lazio 2001-04).

In 1994-95 he played for Turris (Torre del Greco-Napoli) in C1. The Torresi finished 17th under Salvatore Di Somma and he played 31 league games.

In 1995 he signed for SPAL (Ferrara) in Serie C1. He stayed four seasons finishing 2nd, 15th (relegated), 1st (promoted) and 7th. In 1999 SPAL won the Serie C Coppa Italia. He made 106 league appearances with 2 goals. The managers included Vincenzo Guerini, Salvatore Bianchetti, Alfredo Magni and Gianni De Biasi (promotion year). His teammates included Lazio connections: Fabio Calcaterra and Eugenio Sgarbossa.

In 1999 he went back to Cosenza but only stayed until January. The Rossoblu were in Serie B and the manager was Bortolo Mutti. He played 3 league games. His teammates included Lazio connections Oberdan Biagioni and Christian Manfredini. Cosenza eventually finished 11th

In the winter market session, he joined Pisa in C1. The Nerazzurri finished 11th under Francesco D'Arrigo but won the Serie C Coppa Italia. Greco played 44 league games with 2 goals and alongside former Lazio Antonio Rizzolo.

In 2001 he joined nearby Carrarese in C1. The Apuani finished 15th and only avoided relegation due to Lecco going bust. Greco played 29 league games with 2 goals under manager Giovanni Pagliari.

In 2002-03 he spent a season with Fano in C2. The Granata finished 16th and avoided relegation after the playouts. Greco played 10 league games with 1 goal.

His last club was Grosseto in C2. He ended on a high winning the league and promotion. He played 21 league games with 1 goal.

At 35 he retired.

He then went into coaching. He started at amateur level in the Rome area with N. Tor Tre Teste, Real Pomezia and Pro Cisterna.

From 2012 to 2014 (4th and 5th places) he coached Sliema Wanderers in Malta, in his third season he was sacked. He stayed in Malta and took over at źebbuģ but was replaced before the end of the season. In February 2016 he returned to Sliema and finished 7th but won the Maltese Cup (Balzan on penalties).

In 2016-17 he was back in Italy and coached Ostia Mare in Serie D for three seasons (4th, 11th, 16th).

In 2019 he returned to Sliema but was replaced in February 2020.

In 2020-21 he was with Lanusei in Serie D and finished 7th.

In 2021 he stayed in Sardinia and joined Torres (Sassari) in Serie D. He was coach for four years (with a brief break) and finished 3rd (promoted via playoffs) and then 15th, 2nd and 3rd in Serie C.

Greco was a midfielder. His career was spent mainly in the third tier but he did play 25 games in Serie B and 19 in Serie A. He played 13 games for Lazio and alongside the likes of Paolo Di Canio, Gabriele Pin and Ruben Sosa.