Still learning

Simon Basten
Aug 14, 2023
4 min read

Season 1976-77

Pre Season Friendly

Saturday, August 14, 1976

Arena Garibaldi, Pisa

Pisa Lazio 0-1

Lazio beat Pisa but struggle as the players are still learning how to play under Vinicio

Lazio were in their pre-season training period at Pievelago near Modena were they would stay until August 23. They had already played a couple of friendlies, today was the third against Pisa who were in Serie C.

The match

In the first half, Lazio struggled to build play with any fluidity. The players tried to find their positioning and rhythm, but this affected both speed and efficiency. A few rare initiatives came from Renzo Garlaschelli, well supported by Luciano Re Cecconi, and from a run by Vincenzo D’Amico, who managed to get past two opponents with skilful dummies and send a precise cross into the box, which Bruno Giordano headed just over the crossbar.

After several counterattacks by Pisa where Felice Pulici saved two dangerous shots by Claudio Di Prete and Marco Ghilardi, in the 19th minute Lazio finally tested the Pisa goalkeeper: D’Amico weaved past a couple of opponents and, upon reaching the edge of the box, tried his luck with his left foot. However, a deflection by Agostino Schiaretta slowed down and softened the shot, making it an easy save for Pietro Tomei.

There were some flashes of good play from Re Cecconi and Pino Wilson, as well as some runs down the wings, particularly from Paolo Ammoniaci’s crosses, though they were almost always off target. Attempting to build an organized attack was difficult, not least because of the tight marking by Pisa’s defenders. Lazio seemed split into two parts, with too much space between defence and attack, leaving the forwards rather isolated. They struggled more than usual to take the initiative, partly because of Pisa’s energy and liveliness. However, the Tuscan side were often stopped by Lazio’s offside traps.

In the 43rd minute, a good move by Nando Viola, who crossed at mid-height, found three Lazio players — Garlaschelli, D’Amico, and Giordano — one after the other but all unprepared to deliver the decisive blow, and the chance went begging. After a rather poor first half — not only for the lack of goals but also for the quality of midfield play — the defence barely earned a passing grade, and the forwards were still searching for a concrete and effective approach. In short, very little was seen apart from individual initiative, while the team play as a whole was a worry for coach Luis Vinicio.

In the second half, both teams made several substitutions: Vinicio brought on Claudio Garella, Lionello Manfredonia, Toto Lopez, and Renzo Rossi in place of Pulici, Luigi Polentes, D’Amico, and Garlaschelli. Lazio appeared to move with more organization and, within four minutes, won three corner kicks. On the second one, Re Cecconi, running in, headed the ball towards goal, but Tomei, with an astonishing reflex, managed to tip it out for another corner. In the 55th minute, a Lopez–Viola–Roberto Badiani combination ended with a fine diagonal shot by the latter, which Tomei again managed to push out for a corner. In the 59th minute, a move down the left flank by Manfredonia and Pietro Ghedin set up Re Cecconi, who crossed perfectly for the incoming Wilson, whose shot grazed the crossbar. In the 61st minute, Re Cecconi sent a long pass to Ghedin, who crossed into the centre for Giordano, but Tomei’s quick exit obstacled the Lazio striker. Giordano, unable to shoot, passed the ball to Garlaschelli, who was in turn anticipated by Francesco Gabrielli.

In the 63rd minute, Andrea Agostinelli replaced Re Cecconi and, in the 66th minute, nearly scored the breakthrough goal: he outran his direct marker and, from the edge of the box, unleashed a powerful shot that Tomei miraculously deflected with one hand before a teammate cleared it away. Lazio were now playing with more cohesion but still could not find the net, despite Wilson and Rossi forcing Tomei into two more difficult saves. Meanwhile, Pisa tried to counterattack, though these attempts were often nullified by offside calls. The game grew rougher, partly due to the poor officiating of referee Pieri.

In the 82nd minute a goal finally came, Viola produced a beautiful solo run, dribbling past three opponents and unleashing a powerful diagonal shot that struck the post. Giordano, quick to react, calmly slotted the rebound into the empty net. Pisa then pressed Lazio’s defence with furious attacks, including a header from Roberto Tosetti and a powerful long-range strike from Renato Colusso, both of which severely tested Garella. After these two missed chances, the game stagnated in midfield until the final whistle.

Overall, Lazio’s second-half performance was impressive, while the first half was saved only by Re Cecconi’s dynamism, Wilson’s generosity, and Viola’s hard work — the latter finally bringing some fluidity to the team’s play in the second half. Although they ultimately managed to clinch the win, Vinicio’s problems remained unresolved, and for now, he had to rely on young players — talented ones like Manfredonia and Agostinelli — to help build the team’s attacking play.

Who played for Pisa

First half: Tomei, Schiaretta, Baiardo, Baldoni, Della Bianchina, Luperini, Cini, Cappanera, Di Prete, Zunino, Ghilardi

Second half: Tomei, Gabrielli, Piccoli, Baldoni, Della Bianchina, Luperini, Tosetto, Rossi, Gabbriellini, Colusso, Vinciarelli

Manager: Landoni

Who played for Lazio

First half: Pulici, Ammoniaci, Ghedin, Wilson, Polentes, Viola, Garlaschelli, Re Cecconi, Giordano, D’Amico, Badiani