Lazio Fight Back to Claim Dramatic Draw in Taranto

Simon Basten
Jan 24, 2024
3 min read

Season 1987-88

Game 19, Serie B

Sunday, January 24, 1988

Stadio Erasmo Iacovone, Taranto

Taranto Lazio 3-3

Muro’s late free kick completes a comeback after Taranto’s early dominance

There was a lot of expectation this season, especially because the slots for promotion were increased to four as Serie A was going to expand the number of teams from 16 to 18, but Lazio started slowly. After the first 10 games Lazio were 12th, not too far away from the promotion zone, but still not in a good position. A couple of wins pushed them back up but then six consecutive draws, the last five goalless, brought them to sixth place together with Catanzaro. Despite the not so great performance they were still within reach of promotion.

The match

Lazio were beginning to find better rhythm and passing combinations to break down a defence anchored by the outstanding sweeper Sergio Paolinelli and the gritty Marco Serra and Rosario Biondo — tasked with marking Paolo Monelli and Giuseppe Galderisi — when Taranto struck first. In the 10th minute, following a corner taken by Stefano Dalla Costa, goalkeeper Silvano Martina could only parry, and Roberto Chierici reacted quickest to fire the loose ball under the crossbar.

Taranto’s lead lasted only moments. With clinical efficiency, Lazio drew level two minutes later: Paolinelli fouled Galderisi on the right, Ciro Muro delivered the free kick, and Gabriele Savino headed home. After 12 minutes, the score was already 1–1 in a match that was lively, open and played at a high tempo, with Taranto showing the sharper edge. Despite not being fully fit, Antonio De Vitis repeatedly caused problems for Angelo Gregucci, who struggled to contain him and resorted to fouls. One such infringement came in the 30th minute: Dalla Costa’s free kick struck the post to Martina’s left, and Giorgio Roselli pounced on the rebound to restore Taranto’s lead.

Six minutes later, another foul by Gregucci on De Vitis proved costly. Paolinelli stepped up and curled a direct free kick into the top corner to make it 3–1. At that point, with greater tactical discipline, Taranto might have closed out the match. Instead, they allowed Lazio back into the game. Before the interval, Muro went close on three occasions (42nd, 43rd and 45th minutes), each effort narrowly missing the target, and Lazio resumed the second half with sustained attacking pressure involving almost all their forwards.

Trailing 3–1, coach Eugenio Fascetti reshuffled his defence, sending Luca Brunetti to the dressing room and introducing Giancarlo Camolese, before later sacrificing Camolese himself in the 78th minute to bring on striker Antonio Rizzolo. Lazio’s all-out attacking approach led to a barrage of shots, and Taranto goalkeeper Gianpaolo Spagnulo distinguished himself with a series of fine saves, emerging as one of the standout performers. Nevertheless, Lazio reduced the deficit in the 49th minute when Savino scored into an empty net after Spagnulo spilled a header following a collision with teammate Serra.

Lazio continued to press as Taranto clung on. Spagnulo denied Paolo Beruatto from close range in the 67th minute, saved again from Savino shortly after, and tipped a Muro free kick over the bar in the 70th. Referee Felicani showed the first yellow card of the match in the 77th minute, booking Gabriele Pin for a heavy challenge on Dalla Costa, with Antonio Elia Acerbis also cautioned later. De Vitis squandered a clear-headed chance in the 80th minute, and three minutes later Lazio completed their comeback. Another foul by Paolinelli on Galderisi gave Muro the opportunity to unleash a powerful free kick that beat Spagnulo and secured a fully deserved equaliser.

Finally, after five consecutive goalless draws, Lazio managed to score. Let’s hope that this game becomes a turning point.

Who played for Taranto

Spagnulo, Biondo, Picci, Donatelli I, Serra, Paolinelli, Paolucci, Roselli, De Vitis, Dalla Costa (52' B.Russo), Chierici

Substitutes: Incontri, Pazzini, Gridelli, Rocca

Manager: Pasinato

Who played for Lazio

Martina, Brunetti (37’ Camolese, 78’ Rizzolo), Beruatto, Pin, Gregucci, Marino, Savino, Muro, Galderisi, Acerbis, Monelli