Game 16, Serie B
Sunday, January 2, 1983
Stadio Comunale, Bergamo
Atalanta Lazio 1-1
Lazio come back with a point from a traditionally difficult ground and maintain their lead in Serie B.
In December, in the last match of 1982, Lazio drew 2-2 in a spectacular game against other promotion favourites Milan, and Serie A looked just around the corner.
The match
It has historically never been easy at Bergamo for Lazio and this game was no different. Lazio lost Lionello Manfredonia after only three minutes due to injury and was substituted by Roberto Tavola. This problem plus the fact that Bruno Giordano was having a difficult day looked like a bad omen. Atalanta also had a player who was a continuous thorn in the Lazio side: Giorgio Magnocavallo.
Not much happened until the 43rd minute when Beppe Savoldi back heeled a ball that surprised Fernando Orsi but Renato Miele was able to clear just before the ball went over the line.
In the second half Lazio decided that a draw was the best possible result and fell back to defend, but Giordano almost made it 1-0 for Lazio on the counter attack. Vincenzo D’Amico’s shot was not held by Mirko Benevelli but Bruno-gol fumbled the simple tap in.
In the 69th minute Marco Pacione, who had substituted Savoldi, was fouled in the penalty box by Marco Saltarelli. Bortolo Mutti took the penalty and it was 1-0 for Atalanta.
Four minutes later, Giordano touched a free kick for Gabriele Podavini. His mighty whack could not be saved and Lazio equalised.
Both teams at this point decided that a point was good enough and, with the exception of a couple of lame attempts from Atalanta with Pacione and Mutti, not much else happened.
There are never easy games in Serie B.
Who played for Atalanta
Benevelli, G.Rossi, Magnocavallo, Snidaro, Filisetti, E. Perico, Agostinelli (65' Donadoni), Magrin (60' Pacione), Savoldi I, D.Moro, Mutti II
Substitutes: Bordoni, Codogno, Madonna
Manager: Bianchi
Who played for Lazio
Orsi, Podavini, Saltarelli, Vella, Miele, Perrone, Ambu (50’ De Nadai), Manfredonia (3’ Tavola), Giordano, D’Amico, Badiani.
Manager: Clagluna.
Referee: Paparesta
Goals: 69’ Mutti (pen), 73’ Podavini
Sources
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