Promising debut

Dag Jenkins

Oct 6, 2022

4 min read

Season 1973-74

Game 1, Serie A

Sunday, October 7, 1973

Stadio Romeo Menti, Vicenza

Vicenza Lazio 0-3

Lazio make a strong start to the season on Maestrelli’s birthday, cruising to a convincing win with goals from Chinaglia, Re Cecconi and Garlaschelli.

Today was Lazio's Serie A debut.

In the Coppa Italia Lazio had qualified for the second group stage with 2 wins (Varese 1-0 and Novara 6-0 ), a draw (Roma 0-0) and a defeat (Brescia 0-2 away). They won the group on goal difference and would now play Cesena, Juventus and Palermo home and away from December to May.

In the UEFA Cup they had eliminated Sion 4-3 on aggregate and would now play Ipswich Town on October 24 and November 7.

On paper not a prohibitive game today for Lazio but after the previous seasons performance they would not be underestimated by anyone. Lazio also came from a 1-3 defeat, albeit a harmless one against Sion, and and there had been rumours of friction between various groups of players. Today was Tommaso Maestrelli's birthday so a win would be a nice present for him.

The match: Sunday, October 7, 1973, Stadio Romeo Menti, Vicenza

Torrential rain fell all day on "La Città del Palladio" and the pitch was muddy and heavy. The small Menti ground gathered about 15,000 spectators with about 1,000 from Rome. The crowd included Italy manager Ferruccio Valcareggi (this was World Cup season).

Lazio were without Pierpaolo Manservisi while Vicenza were missing defender Giorgio De Bernardis.

A tactical novelty for Lazio was playing defender Sergio Petrelli at number 11.

Vicenza started on the front foot but looked timid and did not threaten.

In the 7th minute Franco Nanni set up Giorgio Chinaglia on the counter foot, "Long John" raced forward past Fabrizio Berni and Ugo Ferrante and chipped Adriano Bardin, 0-1. An ideal start to the game and season.

Vicenza responded by attacking with more conviction but the heavy pitch did not help their efforts. The Biancorossi had a penalty appeal but Michelotti said Angelo Sormani had simulated.

In the 16th minute Angelo Sormani hit a powerful freekick which Felice Pulici did not risk trying to catch due to the wet ball so simply punched away.

In the 17th minute Renzo Garlaschelli had an insidious left footed strike parried away by Bordin.

In the 27th minute Oscar Damiani dribbled away and passed to Alessandro Vitali whose volley was saved by Pulici.

Lazio however looked better organised and sharper and controlled the game with confidence.

In the 29th minute Chinaglia tried his luck from the distance and the ball skimmed the crossbar.

Lazio defended well and the only scare before halftime was another request for a penalty by the locals. This time it was Vitali who tried it on with the referee as after slipping in the mud he claimed his marker Pino Wilson had fouled him. Michelotti was in no mood for theatrics and waved to play on. Half time: 0-1.

Vicenza came back on and attacked furiously. Lazio pulled Mario Frustalupi slightly deeper and absorbed the pressure. In the 56th minute a Damiani header went just wide.

In the 62nd minute Frustalupi passed to Luciano Re Cecconi who decided to go solo. He burst into attack, getting away from Ferrante and unleashed a powerful low strike into the right hand corner, 0-2.

In the 69th minute Petrelli went on a good run and tried to lob the keeper but couldn't lift it enough.

Vicenza had a couple of shots with Vitali but never particularly dangerous.

Lazio almost got a third in the 70th minute but Petrelli arrived tired and Bardin narrowed the angle and saved.

Vicenza had another halfhearted protest in the 75th minute when Macchi was too late for a high Oscar Damiani cross and maintained that Wilson and Mario Facco had obstructed him. Not even the fans made a fuss about this one.

Lazio definitely wrapped up the game in the 86th minute. Chinaglia blasted a freekick and Bardin could not keep hold of the slippery ball which fell to Renzo Garlaschelli who had no problem scoring, 0-3.

Lazio almost made it four but Nanni was denied by Bardin.

Final score: Vicenza 0 Lazio 3.

An authoritative win by Lazio. With basically the same team as the previous season Lazio were a well oiled machine. The players moved harmoniously and everyone seemed to know what to do and when. The experiment of Petrelli at number 11 had meant Nanni could push further forward as he had cover in midfield. Lazio still had room for improvement but it was a positive start.

Vicenza had lost to a superior team. They had their moments especially at the beginning of the second half but Pulici was rarely threatened.

First two league points for Maestrelli as a birthday present from his "ragazzi".

Who played for Vicenza

Bardin, Berti, Longoni, Perego, Ferrante, Berni, Damiani, Sormani, Vitali, Faloppa, Macchi

Substitutes: Sulfaro, Vendrame, Galuppi

Manager: Puricelli

Who played for Lazio

Pulici, Facco, Martini, Wilson, Oddi, Nanni, Garlaschelli, Re Cecconi, Chinaglia, Frustalupi, Petrelli