September 21, 1988: Lazio - Inter 1-1, Coppa Italia
Lightning start for decent draw
Lazio score after one minute and then take a point to keep nose in front in table
Season 1988-89
The season so far
The previous year Lazio had finally won promotion back to Serie A. In a packed Olimpico, already under renovation for Italia '90, Lazio had beaten Taranto 3-1 to book their place back in the big time.
The new season started with a new manager. The -9 point deduction and promotion hero Eugenio Fascetti had left and in had come Giuseppe Materazzi.
Lazio’s promotion top scorer Paolo Monelli (13 goals) had also gone (Bari) along with midfielders Vincenzo Esposito (Atalanta) and Domenico Caso (Latina) while loaned forward Giuseppe Galderisi had returned to his original club (Milan) after a disappointing spell at Lazio.
Lazio fans were very sad to see Fascetti leave and he would never be forgotten but they also had reasons to be optimistic. Lazio were out of the purgatory of Serie B and had bought some interesting players.
Three South-Americans for a start; relatively unknown (pre-internet days) defender Nelson Gutierrez (River Plate) and Abel Dezotti (Newell's Old Boys) plus better known and promising forward Ruben Sosa (Real Zaragoza). Lazio had also signed some Italians; defender Marco Monti (Virescit Bergamo) plus midfielders Andrea Icardi (Atalanta) and Claudio Sclosa (Pisa).
Lazio’s objective this season was to enjoy their new elite status and hopefully not have to suffer excessively to maintain it.
Lazio's Serie A campaign would start on October 9 at Cesena.
In Coppa Italia, in August and early September, Lazio had qualified for the second round group phase. In the first group stage Lazio had won 3 (Licata 3-0, Campobasso 2-0 and Messina 4-3) and lost 2 (Pescara 1-2 and Milan 1-2). In the first game of the second round group stage, Lazio had surprisingly beaten Fiorentina 1-0 at home. Now came an even sterner test against Inter (Udinese completed the group). So far Abel Dezotti had 5 cup goals, Ruben Sosa 3 and Antonio Rizzolo 2.
Inter had finished 5th the previous season under Giovanni Trapattoni. The top scorer was Alessandro "Spillo" Altobelli with 16 goals (9 in A). The squad included Lazio connections; Astutillo Malgioglio (1985-86), Fabio Calcaterra (1985-86) and briefly Paolo Mandelli (1986-87).
This season Trapattoni was still the manager. The main new arrivals were; defenders Andreas Brehme (Bayern Munich), Corrado Verdelli (Monza-back from loan), midfielders Nicola Berti (Fiorentina), Lothar Matthäus (Bayern Munich) and Alessandro Bianchi (Cesena) plus forward Ramón Diaz (Fiorentina).
Leaving the Nerazzurri were; defender Daniel Passarella (River Plate), midfielders Adriano Piraccini (Cesena), Giuseppe Minaudo (Udinese), and Vincenzo Scifo (Bordeaux) plus forward Alessandro Altobelli (Juventus- after 11 seasons and 209 goals).
Inter would start Serie A against Ascoli away while they had already started their UEFA Cup campaign defeating Swedes Brage 2-1 at home in the first leg of the round of 64. The return game in Sweden would be on October 5.
In today's competition Inter had passed the first round with 3 wins (Parma 2-1 away, Monopoli 1-0 and Reggina 3-0 at home), 1 draw (Ascoli 0-0 away) and 1 defeat (Brescia 0-2 away). In the second round so far they had drawn 1-1 at Udinese.
A tough game for Lazio this evening but a good chance to put a foot in the quarterfinals.
The match: Wednesday, September 21, 1988, Stadio Flaminio, Rome
A warm evening and 8.45 kick-off saw a full house at the Flaminio with many fans not being able to get in. Giorgio Chinaglia was present in the Grandstand.
Lazio were missing Uruguayan defender Nelson Gutierrez while Inter were without forward Aldo Serena.
Lazio's start could not have been any better. In the 1st minute Andrea Icardi hit a long high ball forward which Gustavo Abel Dezotti domesticated with his head, ran forward a few metres and hit a wonderful strike into the top hand corner, 1-0. A superb goal.
A minute later Ruben Sosa tried a similar shot but it flew high.
In the 6th minute Lazio were brought back to reality. Alessandro Bianchi dribbled his way to the left edge of the area and hit a cross which went over Silvano Martina, who was slightly off his line, and into the net, 1-1.
After the equaliser it was Inter who continued pushing but Lazio were dangerous on the break. Walter Zenga blocked a Dezotti close range effort and then Beppe Bergomi prevented the Argentine from shooting a few minutes later.
Inter then had a Lothar Matthäus long range shot go just wide. In the 14th minute the Nerazzurri had a big potential chance as Ramon Diaz had only one defender to beat but he wasted the opportunity.
In the 18th minute defender Marco Monti tried his luck from the distance but it went over the bar.
The game then became scrappy and dirty with several rough fouls especially on Sosa.
Just before half time Sosa rushed forward from the left but Zenga came out and saved with his foot and in the 43rd minute the keeper saved low on a Ciro Muro free kick. 0-0 at the break.
The second half continued in the same mould, a lot of heavy challenges and tackles and not much space for elaborated moves.
In the 53rd minute Inter made their first change, bringing on Dario Morello for a subdued Diaz.
In the 55th minute Sosa teed up Muro on the counter attack but the Neapolitan failed to spot unmarked Claudio Sclosa behind him and instead put a ball across the goal mouth that nobody could get to.
In the 59th minute Lazio lost Monti to a recurrent knee injury and he was replaced by Paolo Beruatto and two minutes later took off Muro and introduced Giancarlo Camolese.
In the 64th minute Inter threatened with an Andreas Brehme free kick but it sailed wide of the post.
In the 68th minute the Nerazzurri substituted Beppe Baresi with Salvatore Nobile.
In the 72nd minute Inter scored with a Massimo Ciocci header from a Nicola Berti cross but it was disallowed for offside.
Three minutes later Ciocci was taken off and replaced by Gianfranco Matteoli.
The Sardinian midfielder was immediately dangerous with a perfect cross for Berti who however headed wide.
In the 78th minute Lazio tried to put on some fresh legs in attack by throwing on young Antonio Rizzolo for goalscorer Dezotti.
The last ten minutes were a battle with sturdy and burly clashes on every ball. The scoreline did not change. Final result: Lazio 1 Inter 1.
A decent performance by Lazio who showed they could hold their own against an elite Serie A side.
With one game to go Lazio kept a slight advantage in the table; Lazio 3 (+1), Fiorentina 2 (+2), Inter 2 (0), Udinese 1 (-3).
Next up were Udinese vs Lazio and Inter vs Fiorentina. It was all still very open.
Who played for Lazio
Martina, Monti (59' Beruatto), Piscedda, Pin, Gregucci, Marino, Dezotti (78' Rizzolo), Icardi, Muro (61' Camolese), Sclosa, Sosa
Substitutes: Fiori, Di Canio
Manager: Materazzi
Who played for Inter
Zenga, Bergomi, G.Baresi (68' Nobile), Brehme, Ferri, Mandorlini, Bianchi, Berti, Diaz (53' Morello), Matthäus, Ciocci (75' Matteoli)
Substitutes: Malgioglio, Verdelli
Manager: Trapattoni
Referee: Agnolin
Goals: 1' Dezotti, 6' Bianchi
What happened next
In Serie A predictably Lazio had a difficult first season back in the big time. It would be a season of only 5 wins, 19 draws and 10 defeats. Lazio finished 10th (+ 2 on B zone) on 29 points with Verona, Cesena, Bologna and Ascoli).
The highpoint of the Biancocelesti's season however would come on the 15th January 1989. It was derby day in the capital and Roma were strong favourites to put it mildly. Against all odds however it ended 1-0 to Lazio with a goal by a young local boy and Lazio fan, Paolo Di Canio who to rub salt in the Romanisti's wounds even emulated his hero Giorgio Chinaglia by celebrating under the Roma end. An epic Lazio derby win after almost 10 years, the season would be positive whatever happened next.
In Coppa Italia Lazio then won 1-0 (Sosa) in Udine and qualified for the quarterfinals where they were then eliminated by Atalanta 3-4 on aggregate in January.
All in all a decent first year back in the big time with the long awaited plus of the derby win. The Top scorer was Rubén Sosa with 12 goals (8 in league) while Lazio only scored 23 league goals all season.
Inter had a great season and won the Scudetto with 58 points. They won 26 (including a derby and Lazio twice), drew 6 (including Juventus twice and a derby) and only lost 2 (Fiorentina 3-4 and Torino 0-2 both away). The top scorer was Aldo Serena with 28 goals (22 in A) while Ramon Diaz got 15 (12 in A).
In the UEFA Cup they beat Brage 2-1 in the return game too. The Nerazzurri then eliminated Malmö FF 2-1 on aggregate but were later knocked out by Bayern Munich on away goals (2-0 away, 1-3 at home).
In the Coppa Italia they then lost 3-4 at home to Fiorentina.
It was however a memorable season with their 13th title and first since 1979-80.
With Inter champions, at the other end Como, Pisa, Pescara and Torino said goodbye. The Coppa italia was won by Sampdoria (Napoli 4-1 on aggregate) while Napoli won the UEFA Cup (Stuttgart 5-4 on aggregate).
Let's talk about Lothar Matthäus
Lothar Herbert Matthäus was born in Erlangen (Bavaria), on March 21, 1961.
In 1971 he joined the Herzogenaurach youth set up and in 1978-79 played 23 games with 22 goals for the first team.
In 1979 he signed for Borussia Mönchengladbach in the Bundesliga. He stayed five seasons and played 200 games with 51 goals. "Die Fohlen" (Foals) finished 7th, 6th, 7th, 12th and 3rd. In 1980 they reached the UEFA Cup final but lost to Eintracht Frankfurt on away goals. His manager was Juup Heynckes for the whole period.
In 1984 he joined Bayern Munich. He stayed with the Bavarians for four seasons. He played 152 games with 69 goals and won three league titles under Udo Lattek and then finished 2nd under Juup Heynckes. He also won a German Cup and a Super Cup.
In 1988 he moved to Italy and signed for Inter. He stayed four seasons with the Nerazzurri, playing 154 games with 53 goals. He won a Scudetto (1989), then finished 3rd twice and 8th. He also won a UEFA Cup (1991) and Supercoppa (1989). His managers were Giovanni Trapattoni (three seasons), Corrado Orrico and Luis Suarez .The squads included Lazio connections; Astutillo Malgioglio (1985-86), Luca Mondini (1999-2000) and Dino Baggio (2000-03). In 1990 while at Inter he won the Balon d'Or.
In 1992 Matthäus returned to Bayern Munich for almost another eight seasons. He played 257 games with 31 goals. He won 3 more league titles (1994, 1997 and 1999), a German Cup, 3 League Cups and a UEFA Cup (1996). In 1999 they reached the Champions League final but lost 1-2 to Manchester United, to two very late goals. His managers were Erich Ribbeck, Franz Beckenbauer, Giovanni Trapattoni, Otto Rehhagel, Trapattoni again and Ottmar Hitzfeld.
In January 2000 he left Bayern and went to the United States. He played 23 games for the New York MetroStars and then retired at 39.
He earned 84 caps for West Germany with 15 goals. In 1980 he won the European Championship and as captain in 1990 he won the World Cup, both in Italy. With Germany reunited he then won another 66 caps with 8 goals. He was also runner-up at the World Cup twice (1982 and 1986).
After retiring he has had several coaching experiences around the world.
He has had jobs with Rapid Vienna (2001-02), Partizan Belgrade (Dec 2002-03), Hungary (Dec 2003-Dec 05), Atlético Paranense (Brazil, Jan -Mar 2006), Salzburg (assistant, 2006-07), Maccabi Natanya (Israel, 2008-09), Racing Club (Argentina, 2009), Bulgaria (2010-11) and TSV Grünwald (youth sector 2022-24). He won a league title with Partizan (2003) and with Salzburg (2007).
He also worked for German weekly magazine Sports Bild from 2001 to 2009 and in punditry for various broadcasters, including Sky Deutschland, ZDF, Eurosport, Al Jazeera, IRIB and ITV.
He has also been married five times and has four children. A busy man.
Matthäus was a midfielder. He is considered one of the best of his generation. He was dynamic, athletic, versatile and strong. He was an all round midfielder who could defend and attack both with excellent results. He was a good assist man but also possessed a powerful shot. He is ranked as the 31st best player of the 20th century by World Soccer and 15th by IFFHS. FIFA placed him 8th in the list of best number 10s in the history of football. Maradona once described him as the best opponent he had ever played against.
He played 810 games and scored 226 goals. He won his fair share of silverware; a World Cup, a European Championship, 7 league titles, the UEFA Cup twice and 6 domestic cups. He is a German legend but also a hero at Inter where he was the first midfielder to be put in their Hall of Fame.
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