Difference of category means nothing in a Roman derby
Despite being in Serie B Lazio beat Roma with a goal by "Long John" Chinaglia
Also on this day: August 29, 1998, Juventus- Lazio 1-2 Super Coppa. Lazio beat reigning champions Juventus with goals by Nedved and Conceição despite controversial penalty. Lazio Hero of the day: Sergio Conceição
The season so far
The 1970/71 season had been disastrous for Lazio. There had been ongoing divergences between president Lenzini and manager Juan Carlos Lorenzo over various issues, including market strategies. The Argentine was sacked a few times only to be brought back following protests by a particularly loyal group of fans. The problems on the field and off had resulted in relegation to Serie B with only 4 wins in 30 matches. The initial shock would however later result to be a blessing in disguise.
This year the manager problem had been resolved with the appointment of Tommaso Maestrelli, who had impressed in charge of Foggia.
The new manager had also brought some novelties to the squad. In the summer, Lazio had signed three new players: goalkeeper Claudio Bandoni (Fiorentina) plus defenders Luigi Martini (Livorno) and Giancarlo Oddi (Massese).
Five players left Lazio in the summer: goalkeeper Michelangelo Sulfaro (Fiorentina-loan), midfielders Nello Governato (Savona), Rino Marchesi (Prato), Ferruccio Mazzola (Fiorentina-loan) and forward Juan Carlos Morrone (Foggia).
The league would start on September 26 but in the meantime, there was the Coppa Italia to play and straight up in the group phase was the derby. The group also included Atalanta and Perugia.
Roma had finished 6th the previous season, first under Helenio Herrera (1-24) and then Luciano Tessari. Both derbies ended in draws, 1-1 and 2-2. Top scorer was Renato Cappellini with 8 goals while just in the league it was Amarildo with 7.
This season Herrera was back as manager as the club had a new owner, Gaetano Anzalone. The squad was pretty much unchanged with no important arrivals or departures.
Roma were clear favourites today but it was a derby so a match different from any other.
The match: Sunday, August 29, 1971, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
A hot and sticky August evening brought a 70,000 crowd for this summer cup derby.
Lazio had more or less their best possible team while Roma were missing defender Sergio Petrelli, midfielders Francesco Scaratti and Ciccio Cordova plus forward Gianfranco Zigoni.
The Giallorossi also lost forward Renato Cappellini after only three minutes due to injury.
Lazio started brightly and had a Giorgio Chinaglia shot go just wide and then a Chinaglia goal disallowed for a handball.
After about fifteen minutes however Roma gained more control. The Lazio keeper was forced into three excellent saves on shots by Stefano Pellegrini and Walter Franzot plus a header by Amarildo. On the half hour mark a Giacomo La Rosa bicycle kick went just over the bar.
Lazio had a chance on a freekick but Chinaglia was not dangerous and then, three minutes from halftime, Pino Wilson acrobatically interrupted a La Rosa-Pellegrini combination. 0-0 at the break but Roma on top.
The second half started as it had finished with Roma attacking. Amarildo had a good effort but his swooping shot did not come down enough and flew over the bar.
In the 50th minute Lazio surprisingly took the lead. On a Pierpaolo Manservisi cross from the right the ball was unexpectedly and clumsily missed by Aldo Bet and Chinaglia did not have to be asked twice to take advantage of the gift. Lazio 1 Roma 0.
At this point Lazio were on a high and could have scored again. Giuliano Fortunato threatened but Alberto Ginulfi saved and Chinaglia became unstoppable for a bewildered Bet.
Roma had at least ten minutes in which they were all over the place but then settled. In the 62nd minute Claudio Bandoni saved with his feet on a close range La Rosa strike. A few minutes later an equaliser seemed inevitable but, on a Pellegrini shot, with the keeper beaten, Pino Wilson flew through the air and headed off the goal line.
Two penalty appeals then soured the atmosphere on the field. First Amarildo went down but Picasso gestured to play but the referee's masterpiece came a few minutes later when he denied Chinaglia a blatant penalty.
An irate Chinaglia was then taken off for Costantino Fava but tempers flared anyway and Giuliano Fortunato and then Amarildo were both sent off.
Lazio threw on local lad Giancarlo Oddi for the final five-minute Roma onslaught and the score line did not change. Lazio 1 Roma 0.
Huge celebrations amongst the Lazio fans who had seen their team win a local derby after six years and had done so playing in Serie B. They could thank keeper Bandoni in particular, who had played a superb game and match winner "Long John" Chinaglia.
Who played for Lazio
Bandoni, Facco, Legnaro, Wilson, Papadopulo, Martini, Manservisi (84' Oddi), Massa, Chinaglia (76' Fava), Nanni, Fortunato
Substitutes: Di Vincenzo, Polentes, Dolso
Manager: Maestrelli
Who played for Roma
Ginulfi, Scaratti, Liguori, Salvori, Bet, Santarini, Cappellini (3' La Rosa), Del Sol, Pellegrini, Franzot, Amarildo
Substitutes: De Min, Bertini, Mannocci, Rosati
Manager: Helenio Herrera
Referee: Picasso
Goal: 50' Chinaglia
What happened next
Lazio then drew 0-0 away to Atalanta, won 3-1 in Perugia and beat Ternana 2-0 at home thus qualifying for the second group stage in May-June.
By then Lazio were in the promotion battle and were eliminated after 2 wins (Fiorentina 1-0, Napoli 3-0 both at home), 1 draw (Fiorentina 1-1 away) and 3 defeats (Napoli 1-5 away, Bologna 0-1 and 1-2 home and away).
In Serie B however things went well. Lazio would be successful in their promotion chase. They came in second on 49 points, one behind champions Ternana. On the 18th June, with a 0-0 draw against Bari, Maestrelli's boys were back in Serie A. Top scorer was Chinaglia with 26 goals (21 in B).
Roma then won 1 (Perugia 2-1 at home) and drew 2 (Ternana 0-0 at home and Atalanta 0-0 away) and were eliminated.
In Serie A the Giallorossi finished 7th and won the Anglo-Italian Cup, despite losing 2-3 at home to Carlisle, by defeating Blackpool 3-1 in the final in Rome. Top scorer was Cappellini with 9 goals while just in the league it was Gianfranco Zigoni with 7.
The 1971-72 Scudetto was won by Juventus for their 14th title, under Zdenek Zeman's uncle Čestmir Vycpálek. The Coppa Italia was won by Milan who defeated Napoli 2-0 in Rome.
Competition | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals Scored |
Serie B | 38 | 18 | 13 | 7 | 48 |
Coppa Italia | 10 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 13 |
Total | 48 | 23 | 15 | 10 | 61 |
Top five appearances
Player | Total | Serie B | Coppa Italia |
Wilson | 48 | 38 | 10 |
Massa | 44 | 38 | 6 |
Bandoni | 43 | 36 | 7 |
Martini | 42 | 34 | 8 |
Chinaglia | 41 | 34 | 7 |
Top goal scorers
Player | Total | Serie B | Coppa Italia |
Chinaglia | 26 | 21 | 5 |
Massa | 12 | 12 | - |
Abbondanza | 7 | 7 | - |
Nanni | 3 | - | 3 |
Let's talk about Costantino Fava
Costantino Fava was born in Villorba (Treviso) on May 14, 1946.
He started his football in the Treviso youth set up and in 1964 joined the first team squad. He stayed three seasons with the Veneti who were in Serie C. They finished 8th, 6th and 3rd always under manager Sergio Manente. Fava played 49 league games and scored 7 goals.
In 1967 he joined Lazio. The Biancocelesti had been relegated from Serie A under Umberto Mannocci and then, from November, Maino Neri. This season the manager was first Renato Gei and then from late February, Bob Lovati. Lazio struggled and finished 11th. Fava played 14 league games with 2 goals (Reggina, Monza) and 1 game in Coppa Italia.
In 1968 he left for Perugia on loan. The "Grifoni" (The Griffins) were in Serie B and the manager was Guido Mazzetti. The Biancorossi from Umbria finished 8th and Fava played 30 league games with 5 goals. His teammates included future Italian champion with Lazio, Luigi Polentes (1969-77).
In 1969 Fava went out on loan again this time to Livorno. The Amaranto were in Serie B and the manager was first former Lazio player Aldo Puccinelli and then, still early on in the season, Armando Picchi (legendary Livorno and Inter player). Fava played 27 league games with 5 goals plus 3 games in Coppa Italia and the "Triglie" (Mullets) finished 9th. His teammates included future Lazio players, Roberto Badiani (1974-79, 1981-83) and Gigi Martini (1971-79).
In 1970 Fava returned to Lazio but was almost immediately sent out on loan again, this time to Parma in Serie C. The manager was Stefano Angleri and the Gialloblu finished 5th. Fava played 34 league games with 13 goals.
He then returned to Lazio again. The Biancocelesti were in Serie B but had promotion ambitions under new manager Tommaso Maestrelli. Fava played 3 games in Coppa Italia and 1 league game but was soon sold to Prato in the autumn. He had time however to win the Alps Cup in June and played 3 games with 1 goal (Winterthur). Lazio then ended up promoted.
At Prato in Serie C, he played 30 league games and scored 5 goals. The "Fiordalisi" (Bluebottles) finished 6th.
In 1972-73 he spent a season with Reggiana in Serie B. The Granata finished 10th and he played 22 league games and 8 in Coppa Italia under manager Ezio Galbiati.
Fava then spent two seasons each with Avellino (B, 59 league games with 8 goals and 13th and 16th places), Lecce (C and B, 71 league games with 3 goals and 1st and 7th places) and Treviso (C, 55 league games with 5 goals and 6th and 11th places).
His last three seasons were spent in Serie C2 with Mestrina (24 league games with 2 goals), Mestre (23 league games) and Pordenone (16 league games).
Fava then retired at 36.
In 1989-90 he was assistant manager at Brindisi in C2. The Adriatici were relegated.
He then opened a furniture shop and also works with the kids of the local Villorba football academy.
Fava was a forward. His most prolific season was with Parma in 1970-71 but he won a promotion to Serie B with Lecce and a Serie C Coppa Italia in 1976. He played 187 games in Serie B with 21 goals.
At Lazio he only played 22 games with 3 goals but contributed to the victory of the Alps Cup and played alongside Lazio legends Giorgio Chinaglia, Pino Wilson, Gigi Martini and Franco Nanni.
Lazio Career
Season | Total games (goals) | Serie B | Coppa Italia | Cup of the Alps |
1967-68 | 15 (2) | 14 (2) | 1 | |
1969-70 | 1 | 1 | ||
1970-71 | 3 (1) | - | - | 3 (1) |
1971-72 | 4 | 1 | 3 | - |
Total | 23 (3) | 15 (2) | 4 | 4 (1) |
Sources
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