Game 25, Serie B
Sunday, March 15, 1981
Stadio Comunale, Bergamo
Atalanta Lazio 1-1
Lazio on the defensive for long periods earn hard fought draw
So far Lazio had played 24 league games and won 9, drawn 12 and lost 3. In the last 3 games the Biancocelesti had drawn 2 and lost 1 (a week earlier 2-3 away at Varese). They were on 30 points, joint second with Cesena and three points ahead of SPAL and Sampdoria. They could not afford another defeat today.
The match
An overcast day gathered about 15,000 spectators at the old Stadio Comunale.
The referee was supposed to be Giancarlo Redini but due to illness he was replaced at the last moment by Alberto Michelotti.
Atalanta were without Augusto Scala and Roberto Filippi while Lazio decided to drop keeper Aldo Nardin in favour of Dario Marigo who got his debut (first choice keeper Maurizio Moscatelli had broken his achilles tendon in December) and had Paolo Pochesci missing in defence.
The game started with both sides cautious and worried more about conceding than scoring. The play was very fragmented and with constant fouls interrupting play. The home side however attacked more.
The Nerazzuri had two chances after 20 minutes, first with a Daniele Filisetti shot which went wide and then a scramble in the area that no-one managed to finish off.
The Bergamaschi then took the lead in the 24th minute. Dario Pighin was careless and was dispossessed by Angelo Zambetti who started a quick counterattack, ran forward and set up Carlo De Bernardi for an easy finish. Atalanta 1 Lazio. Well taken, but Pighin's mistake had unbalanced Lazio completely.
Atalanta were on a high and almost doubled the score with Filisetti again.
The home side's enthusiasm however was short lived as in the 29th minute Lazio equalised. On a Filippo Citterio freekick from the right, Giovanni Vavassori was unable to clear properly and Stefano Chiodi pounced and scored, anticipating the keeper. Atalanta 1 Lazio 1.
Atalanta took to the attack again and in the 35th minute had a penalty appeal. Antonio Rocca was fouled at the edge of the box and the referee whistled for a free kick, the Atalantini however claimed the contact had been inside the area but were unsuccessful in their protests. The first half finished with the home side pushing but without being dangerous again. Halftime 1-1.
The second half was less eventful and for long periods was played under the rain. The "Dea" continued to have superior territorial control but as the game went on both sides seemed reasonably pleased with a point.
In the 60th minute Lazio replaced Dario Sanguin with Mauro Manzoni and in the 77th the hosts threw on Ezio Bertuzzo for Zambetti. The result did not change and a point was useful to both sides.
Cesena had lost so Lazio gained a point on the Bianconeri and were now solitary in 2nd place behind Milan. It was not all good news however as SPAL, Sampdoria and Genoa had all won. Atalanta meanwhile moved up to 13th as Catania and Lecce had both lost.
Who played for Atalanta
Memo, Filisetti, A. Rocca, Baldizzone, Vavassori, Mandorlini, Zambetti (77' Bertuzzo), De Biase, Bonomi, Festa, De Bernardi
Substitutes: Rossi, Caputi, Tirloni, Montosi
Manager: Corsini
Who played for Lazio
Marigo, Spinozzi, Citterio, Perrone, Pighin, Sanguin (60' Manzoni), Viola, Bigon, Chiodi, Mastropasqua, Greco
Substitutes: Nardin, Ghedin, Cenci, Garlaschelli
Manager: Castagner
Referee: Michelotti
Goals: 23' De Bernardi, 29' Chiodi
Sources
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