September 19, 1973: Lazio - Sion 3-0, UEFA Cup
Europe discovers Chinaglia
A hat-trick by Long John gives Lazio comfortable European debut
The season so far
Lazio went close to the scudetto the previous season before finishing 3rd. Lazio had been in contention going into the last match but Roma basically let themselves be beaten by Juventus and Lazio were beaten by overly keen Napoli, among allegations of both teams being "incentivated" by the "Old Lady". Meanwhile the other contender Milan fell apart at "fatal Verona".
This season the charismatic manager Tommaso Maestrelli was still on the bench. There had been no major changes to the squad. Lazio had received plenty of offers for their best players, Luciano Re Cecconi (Torino), Franco Nanni (Fiorentina and Juventus) and Giorgio Chinaglia (Milan, Juventus, Napoli and Inter). The president Umberto Lenzini, however, managed to resist and keep them all.
There had only been some lesser deals; in came midfielders Fausto Inselvini (Brescia in the autumn) and Sergio Borgo (Pro Patria), out went forward Giacomo La Rosa (Palermo) and midfielder Giambattista Moschino (retired).
So basically Lazio were giving the title another go with the same squad. The idea was that they had gone so close the previous season that this year with a little more experience they stood a realistic chance.
Serie A would start on October 7 with an away trip to Vicenza.
In the Coppa Italia Lazio had already played three games in the group stage. The Biancocelesti had won 1 (Varese 1-0), drawn 1 (Roma 0-0) and lost 1 (Brescia 0-2 away). The last game would be against Novara at home on September 23. They had to win by four goals to qualify on goal difference.
Today's game was the first round of the UEFA Cup against Sion from Switzerland. In reality it was the round of 64.
Sion from Switzerland had finished 3rd in the Swiss top flight under Yugoslavian manager Miroslav Blažević. The Rouge et Blanc, formed in 1909, had won one Swiss Cup in 1964-65. This season however they were in the penultimate position.
Lazio should be considered strong favourites if they could get over their nerves for this European debut.
The match: Wednesday, September 19, 1973, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
A fresh evening after morning rain saw 35,000 gather at the Olimpico.
Lazio had no real absences apart from injured defender Mario Facco.
Lazio's objective was to win by at least two goals and after only two minutes were halfway there. Luciano Re Cecconi played Giorgio Chinaglia down the right near the byline and "Long John" tried a scooped shot anyway which took Jean-Claude Donze by surprise and ended up in the roof of the net, 1-0. An ideal start.
Giorgione was on fire and the Swiss had problems containing him. A few minutes after the opener he went past four defenders but this time Donze blocked his strike.
The Swiss then had a foray up front but an Edmond Isoz header went wide.
In the 9th minute Renzo Garlaschelli missed a sitter on a good Pierpaolo Manservisi cross.
In the 22nd minute Lazio were awarded a penalty as Milenko Bajic instinctively punched away a Re Cecconi cross. Chinaglia hit a low shot to Donze's right, 2-0.
Three minutes later Bajic was at fault again as he blatantly tripped Chinaglia in the area. The striker brought up in Wales smashed the spotkick under the crossbar, 3-0.
In the 26th minute Manservisi limped off with a muscular strain and was replaced by Fausto Inselvini.
Sion tried to organise some attacks especially with their more quality players Günther Hermann and Umberto Barberis but never really threatened. Lazio had a few more attempts by Garlaschelli and Franco Nanni. Halftime: Lazio 3 Sion 0.
In the second half Lazio predictably slowed down the pace.
In the 55th minute Nanni teed up Garlaschelli but his cracking strike went just wide.
In the 62nd minute Garlaschelli failed to control an inviting Mario Frustalupi assist and a minute later Re Cecconi tried his luck from long range but was off target.
In the 64th minute came the Swiss' only real shot on goal of the whole game. Jean Yves Valentini crossed and Serge Trinchero hit a good low shot but Felice Pulici was reactive and saved.
In the 70th minute Chinaglia galloped off again leaving opponents behind him, he was eventually tackled by Hermann but the German then inadvertently gave the ball back to Long John who was taken by surprise and missed the opportunity.
The game had gone a bit flat but in the 75th minute Vincenzo D'Amico came on for Nanni. A minute later Sion took off forward Fernand Luisier and brought on Verger.
D'Amico, with fresh legs and keen to try and convince Maestrelli to include him in future starting XI's, livened up the game again.
The Latina-born midfielder set up Luigi Martini who shot wide from a favourable position and then Garlaschelli but his effort was cleared near the goalline by Trinchero with the keeper beaten.
Lazio had more chances with a Chinaglia free kick and Garlaschelli.
In the meantime the Swiss took off Isoz and introduced Spanish midfielder Alvaro López.
In the 90th minute the "Golden Boy" then decided to try and let Chinaglia get his fourth. He jiggled past two opponents and put through a perfect low pass to Giorgione who bolted forward but was hacked down just as he was about to shoot. The referee however incredibly gestured to play on, probably thinking a third penalty was too much, despite the fact it was just as blatant as the first two.
Not to worry, with a three goal lead Lazio could head up to Sion with optimism.
With Chinaglia in this form Lazio could probably have scored more but 3-0 up in 25 minutes they seemed to prefer to control the game and save energy for upcoming games.
Sion were well organised and had some decent players but had been let down by a terrible defence and in particular a nightmarish performance by Yugoslavian Bajic.
The return game was in two weeks time, on October 3.
Who played for Lazio
Pulici, Petrelli, Martini, Wilson, Oddi, Nanni (75' D'Amico), Garlaschelli, Re Cecconi, Chinaglia, Frustalupi, Manservisi (26' Inselvini)
Manager: Maestrelli
Who played for Sion
Donze, Valentini, Trinchero, Bajic, Dayen, Hermann, Barberis, Scheller, Luisier (76' Verger), Quentin, Isoz (84' Lopez)
Substitutes: Korac
Manager: Blažević
Referee: Cassar Naudi (Malta)
Goals: 2' Chinaglia, 22' Chinaglia (pen), 25' Chinaglia (pen)
What happened next
Lazio would go on to win their first historic league title. On May 12 1974 Lazio were proclaimed Campioni d'Italia!!
Lazio were up with the frontrunners from the start. They won 3-0 in Vicenza and later beat Roma 2-1, Napoli and Milan both 1-0 at home.
In February came the crunch game at home to Juventus. It ended in a 3-1 triumph for Lazio (Garlaschelli and twice Chinaglia) and this was a first definite turning point of the season.
On March 31 Lazio also won the return derby, coming from behind to beat Roma 2-1 (Chinaglia, D'Amico).
Another key win came in a home game against Verona on April 14 when, 2-1 down at halftime, Lazio stayed on the pitch waiting eagerly for the second half and ended up 4-2 winners. With five games to go Lazio had a four-point lead on Juventus.
Lazio then earned a good away point against Milan and beat Genoa at home 1-0 with a Garlaschelli winner.
Despite losing to Torino on May 5 (only team to beat Lazio twice that season), a week later, on May 12, Lazio came into the penultimate game of the season knowing a win would give them the scudetto.
The opponents were Foggia, Maestrelli's former team, who were desperately battling against relegation. Fans started arriving at the stadium at 6 o'clock in the morning and the gates were opened at 8.45. The hills above the stadium were also packed as, before the roof was added for the Italia '90 World Cup, it was possible to follow the game up on Monte Mario near the "Madonnina". It was obviously a sell out but many fans also managed to get in for free, swelling the crowd to explosive levels.
It was a tough game with Lazio playing the last half hour with ten men (Garlaschelli sent off) and Luigi Martini out injured but Lazio got the all-important goal with a Chinaglia penalty in the 60th minute. Foggia threw everyone forward but a tired and comprehensively tense Lazio managed to resist the Satanelli's assaults. On a glorious 1974 May day in Rome the Biancocelesti founded in 1900 were finally Italian Champions!
Maestrelli's crazy gang had done it. A team divided in clans during the week but masterfully brought together by the "Maestro" on match days. They played an entertaining brand of football based on the new Dutch philosophy and thoroughly deserved the title. Like Bologna, Fiorentina and Cagliari before them they had broken the monopoly of the big three (Juve, Milan and Inter). Top scorer had been charismatic Long John Chinaglia with 34 goals in total (24 in Serie A).
In the Coppa Italia, Lazio then beat Novara 6-0 and qualified but the title race took precedence and Lazio went out of the cup in the second group stage, from February to May, with 3 defeats (Palermo 0-2, Juventus 0-3, Cesena 1-2 all away), two draws (Cesena 1-1, Juventus 0-0 both at home) and one win (Palermo 1-0 at home). The Scudetto was more than enough.
Lazio however would never get to take part in the European Cup a year later..
In the UEFA Cup Lazio then lost 1-3 to Sion in the return game but the qualification was never in doubt as Lazio went in front and the third Swiss goal came in the 90th minute.
Lazio then played Ipswich Town….. in the round of 32. They lost the first leg 0-4 (all goals by Trevor Whymark). During the return leg won 4-2 there was trouble on and off the pitch and Lazio were banned from all European competitions for three years, then reduced to one.
The Lazio players had lost their heads with on and off the field scuffles with the opponents and the referee and there had also been crowd trouble, things had got completely out of hand.
In Lazio and their fans defence they had witnessed one of the most scandalous refereeing performances in the history of football by a tipsy Dutchman called Van der Kraft (seeing an English defender save the ball with his hands on the goal line for an unawarded penalty was just one example of the Dutchman's exploits). The punishment was inevitable but it was a pity Lazio were not able to participate in a tournament they had so deserved to be in.
The scudetto celebrations however went on in Rome and the region for months and were enough to help forget the European disappointment. SS. Lazio were Champions of Italy!
So, Lazio Italian Champions for the first time while saying goodbye for now were Verona, Genoa and Foggia.
Sion finished 10th in the league but won their second Swiss Cup (Neuchâtel Xamax 3-2). They have since won two league titles (1992, 1997) and 11 Swiss Cups (1980, 1982, 1986, 1991, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2006, 2009, 2011 and 2015). They have had two Lazio connections as managers, Alberto Bigon was in charge in 1996-97, Feb-May 2007 and 2007-08 (winning 1 league title and 1 Swiss Cup) and Vladimir Petkovic was there briefly in May-June 2012 just before coming to Rome.
The UEFA Cup was won by Feyenoord (Tottenham 4-2 on aggregate) while Zürich won the Swiss league for the 7th time.
Let's talk about Vito Chimenti
Vito Chimenti was born in Bari, on December 9, 1953.
His first professional club was Matera in 1972-73. The Biancazzurri were in Serie C and he played 36 league games with 16 goals. The Bue (Ox) finished 16th, first under Alfredo Mancinelli (1-34) and then the duo Francesco Veneranda-Francesco Benedetto (35-38). He played alongside future Lazio midfielder Luigi Boccolini (1977-78).
In 1973 Chimenti joined Lazio. He only stayed until the autumn and never made his debut, only being an unused substitute a few times. A pity as Lazio went on to win the Scudetto under Tommaso Maestrelli.
In his time at Lazio he played a game for the U23s and scored against Frosinone in a 5-1 win. The U23s went on to win the Scudetto.
In November 1973 he joined Lecco in Serie C. He played 25 league games with 5 goals. The Manzoniani finished 5th, first under Sergio Brighenti and then Francesco Meregalli.
In 1974-75 he was with Salernitana in Serie C. He played 29 league games with 3 goals. The Granata finished 6th, first under Ettore Recagni (1-9) and then Giacomo Losi. His teammates included former Lazio midfielder Bruno Chinellato (1970-71).
In 1975 he returned to Matera and stayed two seasons. The Lucani were in Serie D but won the league promotion and then finished 13th in C. He played 63 league games with 27 goals. His manager for both seasons was Mario Zurlini who also played.
In 1977 he signed for Palermo and stayed two seasons. The Rosanero were in Serie B and finished 6th and 7th. In 1979 they reached the Coppa Italia final but lost to Juventus, despite a Chimenti goal in the 1st minute, 1-2 a.e.t. He played 74 league games with 29 goals. His manager was Francesco Veneranda again. His teammates included Lazio connections; Filippo Citterio (1979-81) and Walter Sabatini (in charge of Lazio youth sector 1992-94). He also played alongside future top manager Gian Piero Gasperini.
In 1979 he signed for Catanzaro in Serie A. He played 29 league games with 1 goal (Pescara). The Giallorossi finished 14th (out of 16) but stayed up due to the "Calcioscommesse" (Milan and Lazio punished with relegation). The manager was first Carlo Mazzone (1-25) and then Saverio Leotta. He also played alongside future manager Sir Claudio Ranieri.
In 1980 Chimenti moved to Pistoiese in Serie A. He played 25 league games with 9 goals (Juventus, Como x2, Catanzaro, Brescia x2, Inter, Juventus again, Cagliari) but the Tuscans finished 16th and relegated under Lido Vieri with Edmondo Fabbri as technical director (7-30). His teammates included several Lazio connections; Mario Frustalupi (1972-75), Sergio Borgo (1973-74, 1975-76), Roberto Badiani (1974-79, 1981-83) and Andrea Agostinelli (1975-79). The squad also included future successful manager Marcello Lippi whose trophies include the 2006 World Cup with Italy.
In 1981 Chimenti joined Avellino in A. He played 30 games (26 in A) with 3 goals (Udinese, Cesena, Catanzaro). The Irpini finished an excellent 8th under first former Luís Vinício and then Claudio Tobia. The squad included future Lazio, Mario Piga (1983-84).
In 1982 he signed for his last club Taranto and stayed three seasons. The Rossoblu were in C1 and finished 4th, 2nd (promoted) and 15th in B. He played 83 league games with 22 goals. His managers were Lauro Toneatto, Antonio Giammarinaro (promotion year) then Bruno Pinna, Angelo Becchetti, Toneatto again and Becchetti again. His teammates included Dario Pighin (1976-82) and Massimo Piscedda (1983-84, 1985-90). In 1985 he was accused of match fixing and suspended for five years so he retired at 32.
After retiring as a player and after his suspension he returned to football as a coach. His experiences were; Avigliano (amateurs, 1992-92), Acri (amateurs, 1992-93, 16th), Altamura (amateurs, 1994-95, 13th), Matera (as assistant, C2, 1995-96, 11th), Rimini (assistant, C2, 1996-97, 8th), Matera (amateur level, 1997-98, 18th and relegated), Casarano (assistant, C2, 1998-99, 17th and relegated), Lanciano (assistant, C2, 1999-2000, 9th), Messina (assistant, C1, 2000-01, 2nd and promoted), Matera (D, 2004-05, 14th), Leonessa Altamura (amateurs, 2005-06), Banzi (amateurs, 2006-07), Foggia (assistant, C1, 2007-Jan 2008), Salernitana (collaborator, B and C, 2009-11), Messina (collaborator, D 2011-12), Matera (U17s, 2018-19), Pomarico (U19s, 2021-23) and Pomarico (goalkeeper coach, 2022-23).
Chimenti was a classic centre-forward. He was 1.70, short and stocky but scored goals. He scored 115 league goals in his career (13 in A). He also became famous for a particular movement he made to lift and carry the ball forward. It became known as the "bicycle" and he was nicknamed "Il bomber della bicicletta".
He was sometimes known as Chimenti II as his brother Francesco also played football. His nephew Antonio later played for Roma and Juventus as a goalkeeper.
Chimenti died in Pomarico (Matera), on January 29, 2023. He collapsed before a game between Pomarico and Real Senise (5th tier).
A life given to football until the end.
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