Game 29, Serie B
Sunday, April 17, 1999
Stadio Comunale, Arezzo
Arezzo Lazio 0-1
A goal by Savino gave Lazio precious points for Serie A return
So far, Lazio were in the heart of the promotion race. The Biancocelesti had won 9, drawn 14 and lost 5 (including Arezzo 0-1), so on 32 points. They had started off reasonably well (14 points in first 12 matches) but then had seven consecutive draws (not the end of the world but not really promotion pace). They had then won four, drawn 3 and lost 2. Lazio were currently joint 5th but only one point behind Lecce and Cremonese in joint 3rd. A week earlier the Biancocelesti had drawn 1-1 away in Bergamo against Atalanta.
Arezzo were currently bottom of the table in 20th position. They were however only two points from safety, 17th placed Barletta.
An almost must win game today for Lazio's promotion hopes but it would not be easy against a team fighting for their lives.
The match
A summer like day brought a good 20,000 crowd to the stadium but at least half came from Rome (the Tuscan town is only 188 km from the capital), about 12,000.
Arezzo had a few absences from the squad if not necessarily the regular eleven; defender Fulvio Rondini, midfielders Stefano Butti and Franco Ermini plus forwards Sandro Tovalieri and Andrea Silenzi while Lazio only had Giancarlo Camolese unavailable.
The game was evenly balanced from the start.
The first chance was for Lazio in the 2nd minute with a Paolo Monelli header, from a Ciro Muro free kick, that Fernando Orsi did well to dive low and catch. After some minutes Raimondo Marino almost put the ball in his own net and then in the 23rd minute Marco Nappi had a chance but stumbled on the ball in a favourable shooting position. Three minutes later Walter Allievi had a thundering shot which went just over the bar so Lazio were far from dominant
In the 39th minute however, Lazio scored. Vincenzo Esposito delivered a free kick into the box and after a series of attempted clearances and shots the ball fell to Gabriele Savino who managed to put it in the back of the net with a low shot that trickled in. Arezzo 0 Lazio 1.
An even sided first 45 minutes but it was Lazio who had got the breakthrough.
In the second half Lazio relied on the counterattack. They were almost successful immediately but Gabriele Pin's cracking shot was parried by Orsi.
The Aretini tried to change things by putting on Marco Sereni for Marco Carrara in the 58th minute but by and large the visitors controlled the game well with Pin and Antonio Elia Acerbis particularly active. Lazio attacked more but without the necessary urgency or conviction to double their lead.
In the 66th minute Silvano Martina had to make the only really difficult save of his Tuscan afternoon when he had to dive to his left to parry a powerful, curling, long range shot by Nappi.
One last card for the locals was throwing on talented, and former Lazio player, Francesco Dell'Anno for a midfielder Gennaro Ruotolo.
It did not produce the desired effect and Lazio managed to see the game out without running any particular risks. Final score Arezzo 0 Lazio 1.
A clinical win for the Biancocelesti and far from memorable but they made their superior quality count and then controlled the game to earn the away win.
An important win for Lazio who moved up to 3rd place on goal difference as Lecce, Catanzaro, Cremonese and Bari had all drawn. The final sprint was on and the Eagle had spread its wings.
Arezzo were now three points from safety as Modena had won and Sambenedettese drawn. There was still hope but things were getting increasingly difficult for the "Cavallino" (Colt).
Who played for Arezzo
Orsi, Minoia, Incarbona, Ruotolo (76' Dell'Anno), Pozza, Mangoni, Nappi, Carrara (58' Sereni), Ugolotti, De Stefanis, Allievi
Substitutes: Bastogi, Rondini, Silenzi
Manager: Angelillo
Who played for Lazio
Martina, Marino, Beruatto, Pin, Gregucci, Esposito, Savino (89' Brunetti), Acerbis, Galderisi (89' Rizzolo), Muro, Monelli
Manager: Fascetti
Referee: Feliciani
Goals: 39' Savino
Sources
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