Top 11 1970s

Sources Lazio Wiki

The choice of the top eleven for the 1970s is fairly easy. There can be no doubt. We cannot consider anything different from the 1973-74 scudetto team. A bunch of fantastic players and even today it would be difficult to find better. But this would mean that we would close the article fairly quickly so for almost each scudetto winner we have found a valid alternative among those players who appeared for Lazio in the 1970s. A decade which started badly, continued wonderfully and ended dramatically.

Changing times

The 70s was a decade of change. There were substitutions, which had appeared towards the end of the 1960s, the bench increased from three players to five and UEFA were more organised. Compared to the previous decade, there were 98 different players (110 in the 1960s) due to the fact that some stayed the whole decade (Pino Wilson and Vincenzo D’Amico) and most of the scudetto players were with Lazio for many years (Luigi Martini and Renzo Garlaschelli for example).

Football was also different. The emergence of teams like the Dutch where everybody could do everything, changed the way teams were set up and there were also early elements of zonal defence.

The Scudetto 11

Felice Pulici: He was one of the heroes of Lazio’s first scudetto and probably the best keeper the Biancocelesti have ever had. He arrived in Rome, amid much scepticism, in 1973. The start of his career with Lazio was terrible. In Coppa Italia defeat to Napoli, 0-0 at Palermo, defeat to Brindisi (Serie B), home defeat to Taranto (Serie B). Lots of criticism, at one point there were rumours that Lazio would sell him in the November transfer window. But he had the unconditional support of the manager, so he stayed. And Lazio started flying. In the entire 1972-73 season Lazio only conceded 16 goals. Pulici was a very solid keeper and always did the right thing at the right time, instilling tranquillity in the defence. He was also a wonderful person. And despite the fact that he did not grow up in Rome, he was in love with Lazio. He played 200 games for the Biancocelesti.

Sergio Petrelli: He arrived at Lazio from Roma, one of the rare direct transfers between the two clubs. His first year with Lazio was complicated. Tommaso Maestrelli preferred Mario Facco and he appeared only 9 times in the 1972-73 season. He was about to change clubs the following year but Facco got injured and Maestrelli gave him an opportunity. He would no longer sit on the bench and became one of the strongest players of the Lazio team that went on to win the first scudetto. Despite originally being a left-winger, Maestrelli moved him to right back and he became one of the main pieces of that strange puzzle that made up the victorious Lazio 1973-74 squad. In four years at Lazio, Petrelli played 47 games with two goals in Serie A, 12 in Coppa Italia (three goals) and six in the UEFA Cup.

Giancarlo Oddi: For a number of years, he was considered among the best Italian defenders. Expert in man to man marking despite the fact that he was one of those rare defenders who could play well with both feet, he never really had to participate in the building of the game, so all he needed to think about was to annihilate the opposition’s centre forward. He did that exceptionally well throughout his career. Starting from the 1972-73 season he played 90 consecutive league games for Lazio without ever missing a minute. He left in 1975 after 93 games in Serie A, 11 in Serie B, 24 in Coppa Italia and 4 in the UEFA Cup. He came back in 1984 and was assistant coach to a number of managers and also head coach in 1985 taking over from Juan Carlos Lorenzo.

Pino Wilson: He is the Lazio captain, period. Nobody else has ever, since or before him, interpreted the leadership role both on and off the pitch like he did. He was called the “padrino” (godfather) because of how he managed things within the team. Elegant, great vision, ruthless, the best “libero” Italy has even had, perhaps on a par with Franco Baresi. He played 408 games for Lazio with 8 goals. There is no alternative for him in our best 11 also because he played in that role for the entire decade. He was involved in the Totonero and as a consequence was forced to retire.

Luigi Martini: He arrived in the capital in 1971-72 to play for Lazio. The Biancocelesti had been relegated to Serie B but, under fellow Tuscan and new manager Maestrelli, intended to go straight up again. "Il Maestro" transformed Martini from a midfielder into an attacking left full-back. The rest is history. He formed a superb left flank partnership with Luciano Re Cecconi, with whom he was best mates, each covering for the other. Martini was a good, athletic left full-back despite being right footed, who could defend well but also push forward on the wing. He was a dynamic, tireless, hardworking player and extremely reliable. He played 257 games for Lazio with 10 goals over eight seasons.

Luciano Re Cecconi: He arrived at Lazio in 1972. A fantastic player, relentless, powerful, but also a great footballer. He was one of the scudetto heroes and was fundamental, scoring the winning goal against Milan. He made 139 appearances with nine goals for Lazio creating a powerful left flank duo with Gigi Martini. His life ended tragically in 1977 when he was shot by a jeweller who had not recognised him and feeling threatened had opened fire. Re Cecconi was only 28 when he died. He was a blond angel, our blond angel.

Franco Nanni: A great dynamic midfielder whose main characteristic was his cracking shot from outside the penalty box which earned the nickname “bombardino” (little bomber). He arrived in Rome in 1969. In the early years with the Biancocelesti he struggled to find space in the team. Things changed with the arrival of Maestrelli in 1971-72 and he was a fundamental protagonist of Lazio’s return to Serie A. His rise to fame took place on November 12, 1972, when his powerful shot from 30 metres gave Lazio a win in the derby. From then on Little Bomber would be in all Lazio fans' hearts. Maestrelli gave him the task of man marking the opponents’ playmaker and he did so brilliantly. He played 89 games for Lazio in Serie A, 27 in Serie B, 25 in Coppa Italia, four in the UEFA Cup, two in the Intercities Fairs Cup, 4 in the Anglo-Italian Cup and 5 in the Cup of the Alps. He scored 15 goals for the Biancocelesti, 12 in Serie A and 3 in Coppa Italia.

Mario Frustalupi: He was a giant despite his height of 1.66. He was a playmaker, pulling the strings in midfield with timing, elegance, calm, positioning and technique. He could play with both feet and had a magnificent footballing brain. One of his managers once phoned Frustalupi’s father to ask if his son was right or left-footed. You could not tell. He won two league titles (Inter '71 and Lazio '74) and played in a European Cup final. He played 102 games for Lazio with 2 goals. He was, along with Chinaglia, the most important member of the team. His departure in 1976 is still considered one of the biggest market mistakes in Lazio's history.

Vincenzo D’Amico: He was one of the greatest talents in Italian football. He is a Lazio legend. Young hero of the 1973-74 scudetto, he was a player who on a good day could be as good as Pelè. He often came to the rescue when Lazio were in difficulty, a true captain. He joined the club in 1970 and, with the exception of a season at Torino, stayed until 1986 playing 336 games with 51 goals. “You know why Lazio did not win the 1973 scudetto? Because I was not there. As soon as I came into the team Lazio won. That was the difference between those two years”, he often said jokingly, but not too much.

Renzo Garlaschelli: He is probably one of the best Lazio players never to have played for Italy, but he certainly played a major role in the 1973-74 league triumph. His ability to open up space and to play for Chinaglia was fundamental but he also contributed with 10 goals of his own. He was an attacking winger with great speed, agility, dribbling skills and had a good cross. He arrived in 1972 and in his 10 seasons at Lazio he made 280 appearances with 67 goals.

Giorgio Chinaglia: He is the Lazio hero, symbol of what being a Biancoceleste supporter is all about. An impressive centre forward, he had everything: the shot, header, speed, and could also dribble. He was a leader, loved passionately by the fans. He arrived in 1969 and stayed until March 1976 when he left for New York Cosmos. With Lazio he scored 140 times in 263 games. He won a scudetto and a promotion to Serie A. In 1983 he came back as President of the club but the adventure did not go well. But this did not affect the deep love the fans still have for him.

Alternatives

Claudio Bandoni: He only stayed at Lazio for a season but the goalkeeper was one of the most important players in Tommaso Maestrelli's first promotion team to Serie A. He played 43 games (36 in Serie B and 7 in Coppa Italia) and it was also thanks to his saves that the Biancocelesti managed to get promotion.

Mauro Tassotti: He must be considered one of the best alternatives to Petrelli. He spent his whole youth career at Lazio and joined the first team in the 1977-78 season but without getting any games. His debut came on November 5, 1978 in an away game at Ascoli. He showed potential and at 18 years old made 14 league appearances that season plus 1 in Coppa Italia. It was in the 1978-79 season that Tassotti became first choice full-back at Lazio. He had a good season as a strong, tenacious man to man marker. He made a total of 47 appearances for Lazio, 41 in Serie A. He was then sold to Milan and became one of the most important players winning 5 scudetti, 3 Champions Leagues (one as captain), 3 UEFA Super Cups, 2 Intercontinental Cups, 4 Italian Supercoppa's and 2 Serie B championships.

Lionello Manfredonia: He is our alternative in defence. He started out there and later in his career moved to midfield. He joined Lazio at 15 and made his first team debut in 1975. He formed a good defensive partnership with captain Pino Wilson. He was also called up for the National team. He was involved in the totonero scandal and stopped playing for a couple of years. When he came back he first started out as libero but soon moved to midfield where he stayed for the rest of his career. He made 234 appearances for the Biancocelesti with 10 goals.

Mario Facco: He deserved to be put somewhere so we placed him as an alternative to Martini, since he did play in that role sometimes. He arrived at Lazio in 1968 and played 179 games for the Biancocelesti with 9 goals. One of the protagonists of the 1968-69 and 1971-72 promotions, he was a reserve in the scudetto year. He could play anywhere in defence, a classic man-to-man marker of the late 60's and 70's. He was a strong defender but clean, good in the air and a solid tackler. He duelled with the best strikers of his generation. He lost his place in the first team and left after the scudetto, but always remained a Lazio supporter.

Ciccio Cordova: He is our first midfield alternative. He was Roma captain but, after a falling out, signed for Lazio in 1976. The fans accepted him immediately and he gave a good contribution in his three years with the Biancocelesti making 107 appearances with 3 goals. An excellent playmaker, perhaps a little slow, but with the three players coming up next, was part of a talented midfield that in his first year helped Lazio obtain a UEFA Cup qualification.

Andrea Agostinelli: The little Re Cecconi. He was part of the Primavera team that along with Bruno Giordano and Lionello Manfredonia won the Championship in 1975-76 under the guidance of Paolo Carosi. He had speed, stamina and could play the ball. He made 96 appearances for the Biancocelesti with three goals.

We were undecided who between Nando Viola and Totò Lopez we would add to this alternative 1970’s top 11, so we put both of them.

Fernando Viola: He was extremely dynamic but also technical. He had good vision and was an inventive player, so good to watch. He could play in various midfield roles and had a powerful shot. He played 141 games for Lazio with 12 goals. A product of the Juventus youth academy, he arrived in 1976 and stayed until 1982 with the exception of a year on loan to Bologna.

Antonio Lopez, better known as Totò: He arrived at Lazio in 1975 and  stayed five years. He played under Giulio Corsini, Tommaso Maestrelli, Luis Vinicio and Bob Lovati. He was a classic number 10 even if at Lazio he often wore the number 8 jersey. He was a skilful player with good feet and had the ability to set up goals even though he was not particularly prolific himself. He was also hardworking and athletic. He went on to make 106 appearances with 1 goal.

Pierpaolo Manservisi: He was unlucky as if it were not for the rise of Vincenzo D’Amico in 1973 he would have been in the first eleven that won the scudetto. He was a slim and agile player. He was nicknamed "Uccellino" (Little Bird) for his physique. He was a very tactically astute and versatile player and could play in several roles. He played mainly on the left wing but could carry out both defensive and attacking tasks. He arrived in 1970 but his main impact was in 1972 when Lazio almost won the scudetto. In the next triumphant season, he played less because it was difficult to keep Vincenzino out. He made a total of 70 appearances for Lazio with 5 goals.

Giuseppe Massa: He was fundamental for the Lazio scudetto even though he only played the 1971-72 season under Tommaso Maestrelli. He joined Lazio in 1966 and after one year in the youth team he was moved up to the first team squad. Massa was a diminutive player at 1.68 but he was extremely mobile. He was what you call a traditional number 7 who could play as a right winger in midfield or as a forward. He was particularly quick with excellent dribbling skills. He was skilful with good technique and scored goals as well as setting them up. At Lazio Massa played for six years, so is an important part of their history. He scored 35 goals in 168 appearances and helped Giorgio Chinaglia get countless more. He won two promotions with Lazio and was part of the build up to Maestrelli's scudetto of 1973/74. He served Lazio well and gained eternal gratitude for coming, playing and even leaving… It was thanks to his sale to Inter that Umberto Lenzini got Frustalupi plus the money to sign Pulici, Re Cecconi and Garlaschelli.

Bruno Giordano:  Technically he was Lazio’s best centre-forward ever. He grew up in the youth team and debuted in Serie A in Chinaglia’s last season. He was practically "Long John's" heir in attack and he did not disappoint. Giordano became one of the best players of his generation and was top Serie A goal scorer in 1979 with 19 goals. In 1980 however, his career suffered a dramatic setback. He was accused of being involved in the “Totonero” match fixing scandal. The punishment was a three-and-a-half-year suspension. Lazio as a club were also penalised for their players' alleged involvement and were relegated to Serie B. Giordano has always proclaimed his innocence. “I had nothing to do with it. The ban was a blatant injustice, a ban based on no proof and none of the accusers mentioned my name”. After Italy's World Cup triumph in 1982, two years were taken off all the bans. Giordano returned for the 1982-83 season with Lazio still languishing in the second division. He took up where he left off however and helped the Biancocelesti back into the big time with 18 goals. The following season saw him experience another blow, breaking his leg at an away match at Ascoli. He was out for much of the second half of the season but did manage to return in time to help Lazio avoid relegation. A fate not even he could prevent a year later when, after a dismal season, Lazio were relegated. Giordano played a total of 260 games for his beloved home team and scored 117 times. He would later go on to win the scudetto in Diego Armando Maradona’s Napoli.

Manager

Tommaso Maestrelli: He is considered Lazio’s best manager ever. He is the most respected and the most loved. He has almost cult status. "Tom", as he was known, will be revered forever, without him Lazio's Scudetto would have been impossible. His greatest virtue was his ability to unite a bunch of crazy characters, divided into clans during the week, into a formidable, compact and spectacular team on match day. He did so with his intelligence, his mellow character, his flexibility, his deep understanding of human psychology, all combined with a superb footballing brain. To Lazio players he was a coach, a father, a friend, a priest and more. He created a family at Lazio. To Lazio fans he is simply "Il Maestro". In his four years he won a scudetto, a promotion, achieved a third place and a miraculous survival from  relegation to Serie B. Never forgotten and no alternative as he is the only possible choice.