September 17, 1967: Monza-Lazio 1-1
Governato offers guidance
Lazio suffer for an hour but then hit back and take a point with a goal by "Il Professore"
The season so far
Lazio had been relegated to Serie B the previous season. The Biancocelesti had started with Umberto Mannocci as manager but he had been replaced by Maino Neri from November 7.
This season the manager was Renato Gei. Lazio’s main signings were goalkeeper Rosario Di Vincenzo (Potenza), defender Pierluigi Ronzon (Napoli), midfielders Piero Cucchi (Varese), Bruno Gioia (Varese), Nello Governato (Vicenza-end of loan) plus forwards Costantino Fava (Treviso) and Giuliano Fortunato (Milan). In the autumn Lazio would add defender Carlo Soldo (Inter).
Leaving were defenders Piero Dotti (Inter), midfielders Enrico Burlando (Varese), Aldo Anzuini (Vicenza- on loan), Antonio Maggioni (Juventus- end of loan), Can Bartu (Fenerbahçe) and forward Vito D'Amato (Inter).
Lazio had drawn 1-1 at home to Potenza on their debut. A disappointing start especially as the Rossoblu had equalised in the 90th minute.
The Biancocelesti had qualified for the 2nd round of the Coppa Italia. On September 3 they had drawn 0-0 at home to Perugia but were rewarded by the toss of the coin (no penalties yet in those days). Lazio would travel to Reggio Calabria next to play Reggina on September 27.
Monza were newly promoted. The previous season Monza had won the A group of Serie C under manager Gigi Radice. The top scorer was Claudio Sala with 13 league goals. The squad also included future top goalkeeper Luciano Castellini (Torino and Napoli).
This season Radice stayed on. The main new signings were; Giampiero D'Angiulli (from youth team) and Luigi Maldera (Milan-on loan), midfielder Roberto Caremi (up from youth team) plus forward Aldo Strada (Varese).
Leaving were; defender Alfredo Magni (Como) plus forwards Faustino Goffi (Padova) and Virginio Canzi (Biellese).
The Brianzoli had drawn 0-0 at Verona on their debut.
They had also played the first round of the Coppa Italia beating Novara 4-2 at home. Next up were Livorno at home on September 27.
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Not an easy match for Lazio. They were not particularly on form yet and they faced a newly promoted side on their home league debut.
The match: Sunday, September 17, 1967, Stadio Gino Alfonso Sada, Monza
A bright and sunny day in Brianza brought just under 15,000 to the small ground named after the Monza president of the 1950s and early 60s.
Lazio were without several players; defender Pietro Adorni, midfielders Arrigo Dolso and Giuseppe Massa plus forward Costantino Fava. A consolation to Renato Gei was the return of midfielder Paolo Carosi.
The hosts were missing midfielder Enrico Prato and forward Aldo Strada.
Lazio started the game in nightmarish fashion and after only three minutes they were trailing. Francesco Curatoli sent a free kick into the area where the Lazio defence watched as Claudio Sala headed past Idilio Cei, 1-0.
Monza's pace and style reminded Lazio of what to expect in Serie B, very fast and physical with little time for fancy football.
Lazio were in difficulty, however in the 19th minute went close with Juan Carlos Morrone but his effort was saved well by Santino Ciceri.
In the 20th minute the Biancorossi had a huge chance. Guido Vivarelli set up Franco Donadelli who had only the keeper to beat but Cei rushed off his line and with perfect timing avoided the danger.
In the 37th minute Claudio Sala produced a moment of brilliance as he weaved his way past four opponents but then finished weakly.
Lazio only reappeared up front just before the break but Piero Cucchi shot too centrally. Half time 1-0.
A deserved lead for the "Bagaj" who had played with more energy and intensity.
The second half started as the first had finished with Monza more dangerous. Vivarelli had a one-on-one with Cei but his poor shot missed the target.
The scare seemed to liven Lazio up. The Biancocelesti had a penalty appeal for a foul on Morrone but Barbaresco waved it away. A few minutes later, in the 60th minute, Bruno Gioia had a shot shave the crossbar.
Lazio were growing and in the 66th minute they equalised. Pierluigi Ronzon started the move, Cucchi hit a perfectly dosed through ball to Nello Governato who beat Giancarlo Beltrami and struck a precise low shot to Ciceri's right, 1-1.
Lazio were galvanised and now controlled the game. They believed in a complete turnaround and pushed forward.
Lazio's biggest chances came in the 77th minute with a Morrone volley and in the 82nd when Giuliano Fortunato was denied by a superb Ciceri save.
Lazio tried to win until the end but in the end settled for a decent point. Monza was a difficult place to go so an away point after a problematic first hour was satisfactory.
The pace and physicality of the game also should accustom Lazio to the sort of battles that awaited them on the road this season.
Monza had the upperhand for about 60 minutes but as soon as their energy levels dropped then Lazio's superior quality emerged.
Who played for Monza
Ciceri, Perego, Magaraggia, Ferrero, Fontana, Beltrami, Vivarelli, Maldera, Donadelli, C.Sala, Curatoli
Substitute: Fattori
Manager: Radice
Who played for Lazio
Substitute: Di Vincenzo
Manager: Gei
Referee: Barbaresco
Goals: 3' C.Sala, 66' Governato
What happened next
Lazio finished 11th. The Biancocelesti performed reasonably well at home but not away, where they did not win even once.. In the next 38 games Lazio won 10 (including Monza 3-0), drew 16 and lost 12 (9 away). After 24 games and a 0-2 away defeat at Novara, Gei was replaced by Roberto Lovati. Things did not improve, in fact Lazio did not score a single goal in "Bob's" first five games in charge. A disappointing season for Lazio, in mid-table limbo for much of the campaign. Top scorer was Giuliano Fortunato with 5 league goals (Lazio only scored 27 in 40 league games).
In Coppa Italia they lost 0-1 at Reggina and crashed out.
Luckily new manager Juan Carlos Lorenzo was on his way, the earlier sane version…
Monza finished a decent 8th. After the 25th fixture (W6, D14, L5) Radice was replaced by Bruno Dazzi (W6, D5, L5). The top scorer was Aldo Strada with 14 league goals (Monza had 2nd best attack with 49 goals but conceded 45).
In the Coppa Italia they lost 0-1 at home to Livorno.
Gigi Radice went on to win a Scudetto with Torino in 1975-76 with both Claudio Sala and Luciano Castellini.
The Stadio Sada was used by Monza until 1987-88. The Brianzoli now back in Serie A play in the Stadio Brianteo (U-Power Stadium) built in 1988 while the old Sada hosts Monza Women's games.
The three teams going up to the big time were Palermo, Verona and Pisa. The four leaving on a downwards journey were Venezia, Messina, Novara and Potenza ("U Putenz" have never been back in B since).
Let's talk about Claudio Sala
Claudio Sala was born in Macherio (Monza), on September 8, 1947.
He started with the Monza youth sector and in 1965 joined the first team squad.
He played for Monza for three seasons, making 74 league appearances with 24 goals. The Brianzoli were in Serie B and finished 19th (relegated), 1st (promoted) and 8th. His managers were Vincenzo Rigamonti, Bruno Dazzi, Gigi Radice and Bruno Dazzi again. His teammates included Lazio connection Gian Piero Ghio (1968-70).
In 1968-69 Sala spent a season with Napoli in A. He played 27 games (23 in A) with 3 goals (2 in A, Varese, Pisa). The Partenopei finished 7th under Giuseppe Chiapella who started and finished with a 9-game interlude by Egidio Costanzo. His teammates included future Lazio manager Dino Zoff (1990-94, 1997, 2001).
In 1969 he joined Torino, a love affair which would last eleven seasons. He played 336 games (286 in A) with 55 goals (51 in A) and won a Scudetto in 1975-76 and a Coppa Italia in 1970-71. Torino finished 7th, 8th, 2nd, 6th, 5th, 6th, 1st, 2nd, 2nd, 4th and 3rd. His managers were Giancarlo Cadè, Beniamino Cancian, Gustavo Giagnoni (two and a half seasons), Edmondo Fabbri, Gigi Radice (five seasons) and Ercole Rabitti.
His teammates included Lazio connections; Giambattista Moschino (1962-63, 1971-73), Claudio Garella (1976-78), Aldo Cantarutti (1978-79), Giuseppe Greco (1980-81), Giuliano Terraneo (1986-87), Giancarlo Camolese (1986-88) and Claudio Sclosa (1988-94, 1995).
In 1980 he signed for his last club, Genoa. He stayed two seasons and played 44 games (14 in A). The Rossoblu were in Serie B but won promotion under future Lazio, Gigi Simoni and then came 13th in A. His teammates included Lazio connections; Stefano Di Chiara (1973-76), Enrico Todesco (1979-80), Silvano Martina (1987-89) and Giuseppe Corti (1985-86).
Sala then retired at 34.
He won 18 caps for Italy including 2 games in the 1978 World Cup. He was unlucky that he was the same generation as Franco Causio who played in his same role for Juventus and was part of the "blocco Juve" which was favoured at the time (a consistent number of players from the same club in the national team).
After retiring Sala he had a few coaching experiences.
He returned to Torino as a collaborator from 1984 to 1986 and from 1986 to 1988 was in charge of the "Beretti" age group (15-19).
From December 1988 to May 1989 he was manager of Torino for 20 games (W4, D7, L9). He took over from Gigi Radice and was then replaced by Sergio Vatta for the last 5 games. Torino finished 16th and relegated. His squad included Lazio connections; Paolo Di Sarno(1992), Diego Fuser (1992-98), Luca Marchegiani (1993-2003) and Dino Baggio (2000-03).
In 1999-91 he was Catanzaro manager in C1. He started, was replaced, came back but was then replaced again. He oversaw 25 games (W6, D9, L10) and the Giallorossi were eventually relegated.
From March 2001 to April 2002 he was with Moncalieri (TO) in C2. He was in charge for 5 games but only drew 2 and lost 3. The Biancazzurri were eventually relegated.
Claudio Sala was a winger. He could play on either wing and was a brilliant assist man. He was tireless but also exceptionally inventive. His dribblings and crosses were a joy to watch. His teammates, especially Francesco Graziani (122 goals) and Paolo Pulici (172 goals) have a lot to thank Sala for.
Claudio Sala is a hero at Torino. He spent eleven seasons with Toro and won their 7th Scudetto, the first since the Superga tragedy in 1949 and currently their last. The team was Castellini, Santin, Salvadori, P.Sala, Mozzini, Caporale, C.Sala, Pecci, Graziani, Zaccarelli, Pulici. A legendary team.
Sources
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