Its not over yet

Dag Jenkins
Apr 11, 2024
3 min read

Season 1970-71

Game 25, Serie A

Sunday, April 11, 1971

Stadio Luigi Ferraris, Genoa

Sampdoria-Lazio 2-3

Lazio give themselves survival hopes by defeating fellow strugglers Sampdoria away

In Serie A things were not going well. Lazio were currently 15th on 17 points, three from safety (Varese, Vicenza, Torino and Sampdoria on 20). A week earlier however Lazio had left the bottom of the table by beating Foggia 2-1 at home. So far Lazio had won 4, drawn 9 (including both derbies) and lost 11. Today was an important clash against fellow strugglers Sampdoria.

Sampdoria were in joint 10th place on 20 points but only two above Fiorentina in the last relegation slot. The Blucerchiati had won 4 (including Juventus 2-0 at home), drawn 12 (including 7 0-0) and lost 8 (including Lazio 0-1). Their last two games had been goalless draws away to Torino and Fiorentina.

A crucial game to avoid relegation for both sides today.

The match

A sunny and mild day in the "Città della Lanterna" saw about 20,000 spectators gather in the Marassi area of the Ligurian capital.

Lazio had to do without defenders Mario Facco and Giuseppe Papadopulo plus forward Juan Carlos Morrone while Sampdoria had no real absences.

Lazio looked sharp and fitter from the start. They played at a higher tempo than the hosts and took the lead in the 21st minute. It came courtesy of a mistake by Marcello Lippi who missed the ball and Giuseppe Massa was quick to set up Giorgio Chinaglia who blasted a right foot past Pietro Battara. Sampdoria 0 Lazio 1.

The Blucerchiati stirred and equalised in the 39th minute. Luisito Suárez floated in a freekick and Giancarlo Salvi rose up and headed in. Sampdoria 1 Lazio 1.

Just before halftime however, Lazio were in front again. In the 44th minute a nice touch by Ferruccio Mazzola reached Giuliano Fortunato who skilfully went past a defender and went for a shot that took a deflection off Giovanni Lodetti and flew past Battara. Sampdoria 1 Lazio 2 at the break.

The second half was balanced with Sampdoria attacking more but Lazio defended well. They absorbed the pressure and struck again in the 74th minute. It was Mazzola again who started the move heading forward to Massa, the Neapolitan then had a quick one-two with Chinaglia and hit a low strike which, although not particularly powerful or angled, beat a hesitant Battara. Sampdoria 1 Lazio 3.

The game seemed under control for the Biancocelesti but two minutes from time Samp pulled one back. Suarez crossed from the right to Ermanno Cristin who chested the ball down and shot towards goal and on its way Salvi pounced and headed past Rosario Di Vincenzo. Sampdoria 2 Lazio 3.

There were a few anxious last minutes, but Lazio's defence cleared a few hopeful high balls into the area and Lazio managed to clinch a precious first away win. Final score Sampdoria 2 Lazio 3.

A good team effort by Lazio. Di Vincenzo had been safe, the defence tight and concentrated, the midfield compact and fluid with a superb Mazzola while Massa, playing further forward, had been a constant threat and Chinaglia had kept the whole Sampdoria defence busy.

Lazio were joint 14th with Fiorentina on 19 points and now only one point from Varese, safe on 20 points. Next up was a crucial Lazio vs Fiorentina.

Sampdoria had to be careful. They were now joint 12th with Varese on 20 points, only one above Lazio and Fiorentina in the last two relegation slots.

Who played for Sampdoria

Battara, Sabadini, Sabatini, Corni, Spanio, Lippi, Salvi, Lodetti, Cristin, Suarez, Fotia

Substitutes: Pellizzaro, Morello

Manager: Bernardini

Who played for Lazio

Di Vincenzo, Wilson, Legnaro, Governato, Polentes, Marchesi, Massa, Chinellato, Chinaglia, F.Mazzola, Fortunato