Good point but regret over two missed penalties

Dag Jenkins
Apr 27, 2023
3 min read

Season 1968-69

Game 29, Serie B

Sunday, April 27, 1969

Stadio Santa Giuliana, Perugia

Perugia-Lazio 1-1

Positive result but Marchesi and Ghio both miss from the spot kick

Lazio were considered one of the favourites for promotion but the start had been slightly hesitant with 4 wins, 4 draws and 2 losses (Livorno and Ternana, both away). They had then picked up with 9 wins, 7 draws and 2 defeats. Lazio came into today's game top of the table, on 37 points. The Biancocelesti were one point ahead of Brescia, two above Reggiana and four above Bari.

Perugia were currently in joint 9th place on 27 points with Livorno, Como and Catania. The Umbri had won 5, drawn 17 (including Lazio) and lost 6 (including the most recent match 1-2 away at Cesena).

Not an easy game for Lazio today against solid mid-table Perugia who were unbeaten at home and had only conceded six goals in 14 games (16 in 28 total games).

The match

A warm and sunny day in the Umbrian capital with a crowd of about 20,000. At least 6,000 had travelled from Rome, taking advantage of the mere 175 kilometres between the two towns.

Lazio had no absences while Perugia were missing midfielder Bruno Mazzia.

The Umbri started aggressively. They placed a solid tackling fullback Panio to follow Ferruccio Mazzola everywhere he went thus suffocating Lazio's creativity.

The Griffins took the lead in the 19th minute. Nello Governato was tackled hard at the edge of the Perugia box and the Biancorossi darted forward, Bruno Piccioni to Angelo Montenovo to Elio Vanara and back to Piccioni who ran into the box and scored with a cross goal shot. All at high speed and Perugia 1 Lazio 0.

Lazio tried to react but Perugia's energetic approach limited their threats and halftime came with the Perugini in front, 1-0.

For the second half Lazio put on forward Juan Carlos "El Gaucho" Morrone and took off Piero Cucchi.

This tactical change invigorated the Biancocelesti who started to improve. The Argentine was immediately dangerous but Giuseppe Valsecchi pulled off a good save.

In the 54th minute Lazio were awarded a penalty. Morrone crossed for Governato whose shot was obstructed by Vasco Dugini's arm. The specialist Rino Marchesi stepped up (he had scored Lazio's only other penalty of the season, curiously against the same opponents). He hit it well but it came back off the post with no-one quick enough for the rebound.

Lazio however kept their heads up and equalised four minutes later. Mazzola floated a free kick into the area, it was cleared and Giuliano Fortunato sent it back in where Gian Piero Ghio coordinated himself for a wonderful bicycle kick. Perugia 1 Lazio 1.

The 6,000 Laziali went wild but there was more excitement to come. The game was now balanced but in the 73rd minute Lazio were awarded another penalty. It was a gift from Vanara who, convinced Fortunato was offside, caught the ball on a cross into the area. The flag never went up but the referee was forced to punish the defender. This time Marchesi left it to Ghio but the result was the same. He sent the keeper the wrong way but the ball shaved the post and he missed.

In the 83rd minute the Umbri took off forward Paolo Ferrario and put on Francesco Rubino. The game however had already seen its main events and both sides seemed to settle for a point apiece. Final score Perugia 1 Lazio 1.

Lazio were moderately satisfied with a draw which they probably would have signed for before the match and even at half time but obviously the two missed penalties were in their minds as they travelled back to Rome.

Lazio were still top but now shared the leadership with Brescia who had beaten Modena 3-0. Lazio had gained a point on Reggiana (0-1 at Catanzaro) but lost a point on Bari (2-1 at home to SPAL). The table read: Lazio and Brescia 38, Reggiana and Bari 35, Reggina 33. With nine games to go and three promotion slots Lazio had things in their own hands.

Perugia were still joint 9th with the same three teams, who had all drawn.

Who played for Perugia

Valsecchi, Panio, Olivieri, Vanara, Polentes, Bacchetta, Piccioni, Montenovo, Fava, Ferrario (83' Rubino), Dugini

Substitutes: Cenci

Manager: Mazzetti

Who played for Lazio

Di Vincenzo, Zanetti, Facco, Governato, Soldo, Marchesi, Massa, F. Mazzola, Fortunato, Ghio, Cucchi (52' Morrone)