top of page
Writer's pictureSimon Basten

September 28, 1980: Lazio Catania 4-0

May the quest for Serie A begin

 

Lazio win their first game of the season thrashing Catania




Source Lazio Wiki

The season so far

 

The previous season had seen Lazio relegated due to the Totonero scandal.

 

Rumours that there was something wrong in Serie A had begun to circulate earlier in the year. At Cagliari Maurizio Montesi broke his leg and from the hospital spoke to the few journalists who went to see how he was. He was alone, none of the Lazio players had had the decency to drop by. He started talking of match fixing, agreements between clubs over results, and illegal betting. 

 

In Italy one could not legally bet on the result of a single game or on the scores of a series of games. There was just the Totocalcio where one had to guess the result of 13 games. There was however an illegal betting system called Totonero run by illegal bookmakers similar to how legal bets were organised in the UK.

 

Match fixing had always been a problem in Italy and taken place since the early 1950s. Clubs and/or players would agree to share points during the season in a “you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours” system. But then the players started to bet on these games. It was easy money, they knew what the result would be so why not have a little wager.

 

Alvaro Trinca was the owner of a restaurant in the centre of Rome where Lazio and Roma players would often go and eat before games. Massimo Cruciani was a fruit seller and was very friendly with a number of players. Both would hear the players talk of match fixing and therefore started to bet and win large sums of money. They teamed up and devised a plan which was to offer money to the players to fix games as well as bet money for them.

 

Their plan failed miserably and they were hugely indebted with people with whom you do not want to be indebted with. Apparently, they first asked the clubs for money but not all wanted to pay, then they presented their case to the Italian Football Federation but that was not going to solve the debts, so they then tried by resting their case with the law. They were later both arrested and started talking to the magistrates.

 

On March 23 1980, the Italian police arrested a number of players of Lazio, Milan, Bologna, Avellino, Genoa and Perugia. The scandal had exploded and Lazio were right in the middle of it. Bruno Giordano, Lionello Manfredonia, Massimo Cacciatori and Pino Wilson were among the players arrested.

 

Once the season finished there was the Sport Justice court case regarding the match fixing. The Lazio players were allegedly involved in the match fixing of Milan Lazio that ended 2-1 for the hosts and Lazio Avellino which finished 1-1. 

 

The first sentencing between May and June gave Cacciatori and Wilson a life ban, Giordano and Manfredonia an 18-month suspension, Maurizio Montesi four months and Lazio were fined 10 million lire. At the time fans thought that all in all this was acceptable.

 

Others had even worse sentences. Milan were relegated (there was a direct involvement of the club President), Avellino, Bologna and Perugia given a 5-point penalty. Among the various players, Enrico Albertosi got a life ban and Paolo Rossi 3 years.

 

The Lazio fans looked at the appeal case with optimism. They were wrong. Lazio were relegated to Serie B for the game against Avellino, Giordano and Manfredonia got a three-and-a-half-year suspension, Cacciatori 4 years and Wilson three years. Paolo Rossi’s suspension was reduced to two years, Albertosi's to four.

 

Why were Lazio relegated? There was no legal reason since none of the club managers were involved. The only reason was the fact that first sentences were considered too lenient and the Sports Justice system wanted to set an example. Hence, Lazio, always everybody’s favourite scapegoat, were relegated because it had a large number of players involved. But others were involved far deeper and got off lightly or with no penalisation at all. Lazio were a sacrificial lamb to keep the media happy.

 

Were the players guilty? Who knows. Wilson has hardly ever spoken about it. In his official biography though, he admitted having reached an agreement with some Milan players regarding Milan-Lazio. The plan was to let them win in Milan and Lazio in Rome. The Biancocelesti did not have much of a chance in Milan and the points at the end of the season could have been useful in case of a battle to stay in Serie A. He had nothing to do with betting, as also shown in the case files and his name appeared only for the Milan match. But Montesi accused him of being the ring leader, probably because a name had to be given, so to save himself he chose the player that had less to lose.

 

These types of agreements had always happened in Italian football, this was no different from other similar agreements like in the last matches of the season when one team needed a point to stay in Serie A and the other maybe a point for a UEFA Cup qualification. The games would practically be non- starters. This is a violation of every Sports Code, and if the agreement is reached among clubs, if found guilty, these should be relegated or given point deductions. And if it is between players, these, if found guilty, should be suspended. If the players take money all that has to be done is to verify and check.

 

Manfredonia stated in an interview that he paid a rather large price compared to what he actually did. So maybe when Wilson announced that they were going to lose the Milan game, he complied. He did not play the match against Avellino, so he can’t have been guilty for that.

 

Giordano proclaims his innocence to this day. In his official biography he claims that Trinca and Cruciani tried to blackmail President Umberto Lenzini who refused to pay. When the magistrates asked him if he had got some extra cash Giordano denied it, saying “check my bank statements”. This is probably what they did and as a consequence none of the players were found guilty in the legal court case.

 

Where does the truth lie? A few facts are almost certain. Milan- Lazio was fixed by the players. The club had nothing to do with it. The rest is just speculation. Lazio, some Lazio players and Lazio fans paid a very high price for the Italian Football Federation's need to find guilty parties, whether they were actually guilty or not. And unfortunately, it would not be the only time. Claudio Vinazzani’s friendship with a Neapolitan illegal bookie, who was fixing games, translated into a 9-point deduction for the 1986-87 season, despite Lazio not being involved. President Claudio Lotito’s requests for decent referees would cost Lazio a 30-point deduction in the 2005-06 season and 3 for the following one in the Calciopoli farce. Stefano Mauri’s friendship with a player who fixed games cost him a six-month suspension and jail time, even if he was innocent.

 

Lazio had invested a lot for the 1980-81 season and even signed Rene Van de Kerkhof, the Dutch star, but he could not play in Serie B so the deal did not go through. 

 

Other players signed were Alberto Bigon and Stefano Chiodi from Milan (with Mauro Tassotti going the other way), goalkeepers Maurizio Moscatelli (Pistoiese), Aldo Nardin (Lecce) and Dario Marigo (Chieti), defenders Giorgio Mastropasqua and Arcadio Spinozzi (both from Bologna), midfielders Dario Sanguin (Vicenza) and Giuseppe Greco (Torino). Saying goodbye to Lazio, apart from Tassotti, were hero Vincenzo D’Amico (Torino), Antonio Lopez (Palermo) and Vincenzo Zucchini (Vicenza). Andrea Agostinelli and Roberto Badiani were sent on loan to Pistoiese, Stefano Ferretti to Empoli.

 

The manager was rising star Ilario Castagner who had guided Perugia to an historic second place just a couple of seasons earlier.

 

Lazio started 1980-81 with the Coppa Italia. In the group stage they were paired with Pescara, Varese, Verona and Ascoli. They won all of the games with the exception of a draw with Ascoli, hence winning their group. 

 

Today was game three of the season. So far Lazio had drawn twice

 

The match: Sunday, September 28, 1980, Stadio Olimpico, Rome


Ticket owned by Dag Jenkins. Photo by Dag Jenkins

After 15 minutes the game was virtually over. The Catania players had been on strike in the last couple of days and were in no condition, both psychological and physical, to play against such a strong team.

 

In the 3rd minute there was a free kick for Lazio for a foul on Renzo Garlaschelli. Nando Viola touched the ball for Filippo Citterio, big whack, 1-0 to Lazio.

 

In the 8th minute Catania did try a comeback, albeit timid, and Damiano Morra from a distance shaved the crossbar. In the 14th minute Garlaschelli passed to Alberto Bigon who ran forward and did not stop until the ball was in the back of the net. Morra again had a chance in the 39th minute but Carlo Perrone saved on the line. Three minutes later Giorgio Mastropasqua gave a long ball to Citterio who crossed into the box and Bigon made it three.

 

In the second half manager Ilario Castagner gave youngsters Raoul Albani and Guido Valenzi an opportunity and it was the former in the 67th minute who scored a spectacular goal. Dario Sanguin lobbed the ball over the defence and Albani volleyed the ball in.

 

All smiles for Lazio, the quest for Serie A had begun.

 

Who played for Lazio

 

Substitutes: Nardin, Ghedin, Manzoni

Manager: Castagner

 

Who played for Catania


Sorrentino, Raimondi, Croci, Casale, Tarallo, Chiavaro, Castagnini, Barlassina, Mastrangioli (28' Bonesso), Morra II, Piga Marco

Substitutes: Papale, Mencacci, Cantone

Manager: De Petrillo (Mazzetti was on the bench for this match)

 

Referee: Angelelli

 

Goals: 3’ Citterio, 14’ Bigon, 42’ Bigon, 67’ Albani

 

What happened next


After 15 games Lazio were top of the table with a one-point lead over Milan and four over third place (the first three were promoted). A long way to go yet but there was optimism. The Biancocelesti had won 7 and drawn 8 and had not lost yet. Chiodi had started playing in the beginning of November and had scored three goals.


Then came Lazio Milan, first game of 1981. The Rossoneri easily won 2-0 easily and instilled doubts in the players’ minds. “Perhaps we are not as good as we thought”. After that match they lost at Cesena, drew at Vicenza and at home with Taranto. They were second but with seven teams in four points, it was very tight.


Lazio managed to stay second until mid-April, then Cesena overtook them.


In mid-May with five games to the end of the season Lazio were third, two points clear of Genoa. Then, enter referee Alberto Michelotti. In the home game against Sampdoria, there was a corner for Lazio. Mastropasqua crossed, Gianluca De Ponti tried to head the ball but blatantly handballed it. A clear penalty right under the eyes of the linesman. But Michelotti had no intention of listening to him and the linesman no intention of changing the ref’s mind. Lazio lost that game and Genoa won. Milan top on 46 points, Cesena 42, Lazio and Genoa 41.

 

In the next game Cesena won, Lazio and Genoa drew. With three games to the end came the mother of all games at the Olimpico: Lazio-Cesena. The Biancocelesti needed to win and they did, so with two games to go all three teams were tied on 44 points. Final home game Lazio-Vicenza.


The Biancocelesti were very nervous and played terribly. Claudio Vagheggi scored for the Vicentini in the 55th minute, Paolo Pochesci equalised a quarter of an hour later. In the 87th minute, penalty for Lazio. Biancocelesti supporters invaded the pitch in celebration. It took forever to take the spot kick but everybody was sure that Lazio had won, Chiodi had never missed a penalty, not even in training. He did this time. Genoa and Cesena had won, promotion was lost.


The players with most appearances this season were Citterio and Viola with 43 games and the top scorer was Bigon with 10 goals.


Lazio 1980-81

Competition

Played

Won

Drawn

Lost

Goals scored

Serie A

38

13

20

5

32

Coppa italia

6

3

1

2

5

Total

44

16

21

7

37

Top five appearances

Player

Total

Serie A

Coppa Italia

Citterio

43

38

5

Viola

43

37

6

Mastropasqua

41

36

5

Perrone

40

34

6

Greco

39

34

5

Top five goal scorers

Player

Total

Serie A

Coppa Italia

Bigon

10

9

1

Greco

8

7

1

Citterio

7

6

1

Viola

7

7

-

Chiodi

6

6

-

Lets talk about Raoul Albani


Source Wikipedia

Raoul Albani was born on February 10, 1957 in Trevignano Romano, on Lake Bracciano near Rome. He began playing at amateur level for Maccarese in 1979, then a Lazio collaborator, Corrado Corradini, suggested signing him and he arrived at Lazio in 1980.

 

Lazio had just been relegated to the totonero scandal and were looking for an immediate return to Serie A. He made eight appearances and two goals, scoring on his debut in Serie B against Catania.

 

In 1981 he signed for Latina in Serie C1 and after a year went to Frosinone in C2.

 

He then stopped playing eleven-a-side football and moved to futsal, where he had a long career starting from 1983 and ending in 1995. He played mainly for Rome based clubs, but also for Bologna and Prato.

 

Once he stopped, he became a futsal manager and coached prestigious clubs like Perugia and Cesena. Between 2005 and 2007 he was head coach of Maran Spoleto winning a promotion to Serie A. Between 2009 and 2015 he was coach of Italy’s under 21.

 

So, all in all, Alban’s career was a successful one, but in 5-a-side football.


Lazio Career

Season

Total appearances (goals)

Serie B

Coppa Italia

1980-81

8 (2)

7 (2)

1

Sources


Comments


bottom of page